South San Francisco, CA

Scientist II, Discovery Biology

Reports To: SVP, Head of Discovery Science

Department: Research & Development

Location: South San Francisco

ABOUT THE JOB

This is a full-time role requiring onsite presence, Monday - Friday in our South San Francisco, CA office. The Scientist II, Discovery Biology is an experienced, hands-on discovery scientist who leads key experimental workstreams supporting the evaluation and advancement of one or more therapeutic opportunities. The role independently frames key scientific questions, identifies scientific and technical risks, develops and executes integrated hypothesis-driven studies, builds fit-for-purpose assays, and synthesizes internal and external data to influence target-selection and program-initiation decisions. The Scientist II provides scientific leadership across assigned research activities, coordinates contributions from other scientists, and provides day-to-day guidance and mentorship to junior scientists. The role participates, with appropriate senior Discovery Biology leadership involvement, in discussions with executive, clinical, and commercial stakeholders to understand how discovery evidence, unmet clinical need, indication opportunity, and product considerations inform program strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Critically evaluates scientific literature, frames key questions, and develops integrated, hypothesis-driven experimental strategies to evaluate novel therapeutic targets.
• Leads key target-identification and target-validation workstreams and integrates scientific activities across functions to advance therapeutics opportunities toward target-selection and program-initiation decisions.
• Independently designs, develops, executes, and troubleshoots cellular, biochemical, and immunological assays and applies sound scientific judgment to complex experimental problems.
• Integrates, analyzes, interprets, and communicates complex data to influence technical direction and recommend project advancement, termination, or next steps.
• Influences technical direction across cross-functional discovery activities by integrating Discovery Biology findings with input from partner functions.
• Identifies scientific, technical, and execution risks within assigned workstreams, develops practical mitigation plans, and escalates broader program-level risks when appropriate.
• Coordinates and aligns internal and external scientific resources to ensure delivery of assigned studies, including working with Protein Production, In Vitro Biology, Translational R&D, collaborators, vendors, and contract research organizations.
• Participates in clinical and commercial discussions, with appropriate senior leadership involvement, and incorporates relevant input into discovery hypotheses, experimental strategies, and data interpretation.
• Provides ongoing scientific guidance and mentorship to junior scientists, including review of experimental plans, controls, data quality, and conclusions.
• Contributes to invention disclosures, patents, research reports, publications, and other high-quality scientific documentation; presents findings internally and may present at company-level or external forums.
• Maintains high-quality scientific documentation and follows applicable research and data-integrity standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated ability to independently lead scientific research workstreams and collaborate across functions.
• Experience in accessing, compiling and analyzing publicly available datasets from multiple sources in support of the relevancy of targets within disease indications.
• Strong understanding of drug development, disease biology, immunology, cellular biology, biochemistry, and target validation.
• Technical expertise across cellular, biochemical, and immunological assays, including immunoassays, activity assays, biomarker assays, and cell-activation assays.
• Experience with several relevant methods such as siRNA, qPCR, flow cytometry, cell purification, cellular imaging, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence.
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, select feasible experimental approaches, and design studies with appropriate controls and decision criteria.
• Deep and broad experience in assay development, experimental design, troubleshooting, data analysis, and efficient execution.
• Ability to influence technical direction across functions by integrating Discovery Biology findings, discovery objectives, and cross-functional scientific input.
• Ability to coordinate technical work, provide constructive scientific feedback, and support accountability without always relying on formal authority.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to present complex data clearly to cross-functional teams, senior leaders, and external partners.
• Ability to prioritize multiple project workstreams and incorporate relevant clinical and commercial considerations affect discovery strategy.
• Ph.D. in immunology, autoimmune disease, molecular biology, or a related scientific discipline. Minimum 2 to 5 years of relevant experience, which may include postdoctoral experience; M.S. with 10 or more years of relevant experience; or B.S. with 12 or more years of relevant experience.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The role may require sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and the use of hands and fingers to operate laboratory equipment, materials, controls, and computer systems. The employee must be able to safely move within laboratory and office environments and may occasionally lift, carry, push, or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.

The position may involve work with hazardous chemicals, biological or human-derived materials, sharps, compressed gases, cryogenic materials, controlled-temperature environments, or other regulated materials. Employees must follow applicable safety, biosafety, exposure-control, and emergency procedures and use employer-provided personal protective equipment appropriate to the assigned work.

OUR CORE VALUES

Our core values drive all that we do here at Star.  We are looking for like-minded individuals that feel passionately about these same values to join our team.

• Patients are our Center of Gravity:We partner with patients in unique ways, to uncover and address their unmet needs.
• Propelled by Data, Guided by Intuition, Informed by Expertise: We boldly explore new diseases, novel biology, and smart ways of working with a sense of urgency.
• Mission Ready Crew: With courage and agility, we opportunistically challenge conventional wisdom and foster an environment of respect and continuous growth.

ABOUT STAR THERAPEUTICS

Star Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that aims to discover and develop best-in-class antibody therapies to transform the lives of patients with serious diseases. Founded by former True North executives, Star has built a team with significant scientific expertise that has a demonstrated track record of success and is backed by top-tier biotech investors.  We pride ourselves on our collective passion in bringing innovative therapies to the clinic and are committed to patients for whom no or limited treatment options exist.

Star is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA.  More information about Star can be found on our website at www.star-therapeutics.com.

Star offers a competitive salary and benefits package, and we take pride on being a Biocom Best Place to Work for small companies.  We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, learn and explore, and make connections.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We anticipate the base salary for the Senior Scientist II, Discovery Biology in our South San Francisco, CA office to range from $120,000 to $150,000 annually and will depend on current market data and the candidate’s qualifications for the role, including education, experience and geographic location.  This position is also eligible for bonus, benefits, and participation in Company’s equity plan. The compensation described above is subject to change and could be higher or lower than the range described based on several factors.

Qualified candidates should apply via our careers page at: https://star-therapeutics.com/our-careers/

Please note: This is not a remote position.  NO PHONE CALLS or AGENCIES, please.

Note to External Recruiters: Submission of unsolicited resumes prior to an agreement set in place does not create any implied obligation.