Associate Director or Director, GPCR Biology

Iambic Therapeutics, Inc • San Diego, CA

81d

About The Position

Iambic Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Director to join the GPCR Biology group and advance our core mission of accelerating small molecule drug discovery through the integration of experimental and AI/ML-driven approaches. The successful candidate will lead project teams with a deep understanding of the progression of drugs from hit identification through IND submission, setting scientific direction and driving cross-functional collaboration with Chemistry, DMPK, Safety, and Computational teams.

Requirements

• PhD in pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology or related field with 12+ years of relevant industry experience in small molecule discovery or Master’s Degree with 15+ years of experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated success leading cross functional project teams advancing programs from hit identification toward IND, with ownership of decision criteria and milestone delivery.
• Deep expertise in GPCR biology: signaling and trafficking mechanisms; assay formats (e.g., HTRF, reporter gene, BRET/FRET, imaging); and interpretation of complex pharmacology (e.g., allostery, bias, kinetics, receptor reserve, desensitization).
• Experience designing, validating, and transferring assays to CROs/automation/HTS; familiarity with HTS methodologies and counterscreens.
• Proven ability to guide resolution of high impact technical issues across functions; track record of scientific creativity and rigorous data standards.
• Strong people management skills: mentoring scientists, performance management, and building inclusive, high trust teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; adept at executive level summaries and data driven recommendations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience coordinating in vivo pharmacology or translational biomarker strategies.
• Exposure to immunology or immunopharmacology and its intersection with GPCR signaling.
• Familiarity with AI/ML-based drug discovery platforms and comfortable collaborating with computational/cheminformatics teams.
• Previous experience leading or co-leading scientific collaborations or consortia.

Responsibilities

• Define and own GPCR biology strategy across one or more programs; work is critical and high impact to portfolio trajectory.
• Lead through teams (internal and CRO), establishing best in class experimental strategies, data quality standards, and decision frameworks.
• Serve as biology thought partner to program leadership; influence portfolio planning and resourcing.
• Partner with Iambic’s computational and ML scientists to incorporate AI/ML-based tools and models that accelerate data interpretation, hypothesis generation, and decision-making across biology workflows.
• Initiate, direct, and execute biology plans that support medicinal chemistry and translational goals across discovery stages (hit to lead, LO, candidate selection, IND enabling).
• Chair or co-lead cross functional workstreams; align assay strategy with SAR hypotheses, DMPK/PD needs, and safety/translational biomarkers.
• Lead or co-lead key scientific collaborations with internal and external partners, driving integration of data and strategy toward shared objectives.
• Conceptualize and oversee design/validation of in vitro and ex vivo assays (signaling, binding, trafficking, imaging, and mechanism of action) enabling robust potency, selectivity, and efficacy assessments.
• Establish acceptance criteria, controls, and QC/QA standards.
• Manage and mentor CRO/partners; scope statements of work, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Ensure reproducibility and compliance with internal SOPs and GLP adjacent expectations where appropriate.
• Manage and grow a team of scientists/associates; set goals, provide feedback, and develop talent.
• Drive stage gate criteria, risk registers, and mitigation plans; author/own decision memos and present to governance/leadership.

Benefits

• Industry leading competitive pay
• Company paid healthcare
• Flexible spending accounts
• Voluntary life insurance
• 401K matching
• Uncapped vacation
• Onsite gym
• Dining
• Easy access to great places to live and play

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees