Senior Principal Research Scientist, Protein Sciences
IDEAYA Biosciences
Summary
We are seeking an accomplished and highly collaborative Senior Principal Research Scientist to make significant hands-on contributions to our Protein Sciences function while supervising and developing a small team of research associates and PhD-level scientists. This role is intended for an experienced laboratory scientist who enjoys solving challenging protein-production problems, supporting multiple drug-discovery programs, and coordinating internal and external scientific work.
Job description
The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization, including extensive experience with bacterial and insect-cell expression systems. This individual will directly contribute to the delivery of high-quality proteins and protein complexes for biochemical, biophysical, structural, and screening applications across a diverse portfolio of drug-discovery programs.
What you'll do
- Contribute actively in the laboratory while coordinating the day-to-day work and priorities of the Protein Sciences team in alignment with drug-discovery program needs.
- Develop and execute protein-expression and purification strategies for challenging proteins and protein complexes using bacterial, insect-cell, and other appropriate expression systems.
- Perform and oversee construct design, expression testing and optimization, protein purification, characterization, and troubleshooting, particularly for challenging proteins and protein complexes.
- Ensure delivery of high-quality, fit-for-purpose protein reagents for biochemical, biophysical, structural, and screening applications.
- Partner closely with Bioassays, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Data Science to develop integrated experimental strategies and translate results into program decisions.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop research associates and PhD-level scientists, providing practical experimental guidance while enabling appropriate scientific independence.
- Identify, engage, and coordinate CROs for protein expression, purification, characterization, and related activities; establish clear work plans, review data quality, and ensure timely delivery of fit-for-purpose reagents.
- Communicate scientific strategies, findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to project teams and research leadership.
Requirements
- PhD with 9+ years' hands-on expertise in recombinant protein production using bacterial and insect-cell expression systems
- Experience with mammalian expression is desirable
- Demonstrated ability to independently develop and troubleshoot purification strategies for challenging proteins, protein complexes, and multiple construct variants
- Hands-on experience with protein characterization methods such as SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, concentration determination, analytical SEC, thermal-stability methods, and assessment of aggregation and sample quality (i.e. SEC-MALS)
- Experience selecting and managing CROs or other external partners for protein production and characterization, including technical transfer, data review, troubleshooting, and quality assessment
- Experience supervising and developing research associates and PhD-level laboratory scientists
- Excellent oral, graphical, and written communication skills
- Familiarity with global proteomics, phosphoproteomics, chemical biology, or chemoproteomics is desirable but not required
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k)
- ESPP
- Wellness Programs
- Stock Options
Company overview
IDEAYA Biosciences is a clinical-stage precision medicine oncology company headquartered in South San Francisco, California. Founded in 2015, the company is dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of transformative therapies for cancer patients. IDEAYA's innovative approach integrates expertise in small-molecule drug discovery, structural biology, and bioinformatics with robust internal capabilities in identifying and validating translational biomarkers. The company focuses on developing tailored, potentially first-in-class targeted therapies aligned with the genetic drivers of disease, with a primary emphasis on synthetic lethality – an emerging class of precision medicine targets. IDEAYA has built a deep pipeline of product candidates focused on synthetic lethality and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for molecularly defined solid tumor indications. The company's mission is to bring forth the next wave of precision oncology therapies that are more selective, more effective, and deeply personalized, with the goal of altering the course of disease and improving clinical outcomes for cancer patients. IDEAYA went public on NASDAQ in May 2019 (NASDAQ: IDYA) and has established strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, and GlaxoSmithKline.