Principal Scientist, Discovery Research
Reports To: Senior Director of Discovery
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Job Summary
Switch Therapeutics is seeking a talented Scientist to join the Discovery Research group at Switch. Switch Therapeutics is pioneering a novel RNAi therapeutic modality, Conditional Activated siRNA (CASi), which incorporates both an active siRNA component and a sensor that deactivates the siRNA in the absence of a biomarker. The position will report to the Senior Director of Discovery Research and will play an integral role in building Switch’s drug discovery strategy.
This role will require full-time onsite work at our research facilities in South San Francisco.
The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $150,000 and $170,000 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity in the Company, a discretionary annual bonus, in addition to a full range of healthcare, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.
If hired, the employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement both cell-based and other assay methods designed to evaluate activity of therapeutic oligonucleotides in support of CASi drug discovery.
- Interface and work closely with the Biology, Chemistry, and Bioinformatics groups in establishing a robust drug discovery workflow.
- Implement best practices for acquisition and analysis of screening assay data and management of corporate screening database resources.
- Supervision of RA colleague(s) and their teams responsible for highly effective execution of discovery screening campaigns and other experimental approaches.
- Work with the Neuroscience group to develop strategies focused on target identification and/or validation.
- Work closely with senior leadership and hold responsibility for communicating strategy, methodology, and workflow status updates to enable efficient and rapid advancement of critical discovery programs.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Cellular Biology or related field (may consider M.Sc. training level in combination with 7 or more years relevant experience in academia, biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry).
- Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in academia, biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry beyond the PhD with demonstrated accomplishments.
- A strong background in RNA Biology and related cellular processes, such as RNA interference.
- Direct experience with molecular biology methods of RNA analysis, e.g. RNAseq.
- Familiarity with basic bioinformatics tools.
- A history of authoring publications and/or study reports.
- A track record of developing and working with cell-based assay systems, a strong background in bioanalytical and biochemical methods and processes.
- Familiarity with automated robotic fluid handling and/or high-throughput assay instrumentation
- Proven record of accomplishments working in teams, people management and exceptional communication skills.
- Experience in drug discovery and early development work processes.
- A deep commitment to working as part of teams to deliver breakthrough medicines.
- Excellent communications, organization, and time management skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
About Switch
Switch Therapeutics is an emerging biotechnology company that is developing RNAi therapies stemming from transformative technologies invented at Caltech, City of Hope, and Harvard Medical School.
The company’s conditionally activated siRNA (CASi) platform integrates RNA nanotechnology with RNA medicinal chemistry to create siRNA pro-drugs that can activate or suppress their own drug activities based on the presence or absence of disease indicating RNA markers in mammalian cells. This gives CASi-based drugs the ability to target specific cells responsible for disease while sparing healthy cells from drug activity.
Since its founding in Q3 2020, Switch has made significant progress in optimizing its technology for therapeutic applications and has generated highly compelling in vivo validation data demonstrating distribution, potency, and duration of effect that support development for important disease indications.
The company has recently secured new funding and is gearing up for aggressive growth enabling the next phase of its mission.
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to careers@switchthera.com.