Associate Principal Scientist, Automation & Screening (Biologics Discovery)
About The Position
The Associate Principal Scientist will support the Molecular Discovery group’s Antibody Generation team in South San Francisco. The group delivers differentiated therapeutic antibodies through innovative discovery, screening, and characterization, collaborating with protein sciences, data sciences, engineering, and therapeutic area teams to advance programs from early discovery through candidate selection. This scientific leadership role develops and advances automated workflows for antibody discovery and characterization. The successful candidate combines automation and bioassay expertise with strategic and operational leadership, manages a small team of scientists, establishes priorities, supports team development, and delivers robust, scalable, decision-enabling capabilities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant biological science or related field and 10 or more years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and 6 or more years; or a Ph.D. and 4 or more years.
- Demonstrated scientific leadership directing complex laboratory automation or high-throughput screening activities across multiple programs.
- Hands-on experience with automated liquid-handling platforms, such as the Hamilton Microlab STAR, robotic arms, and related automation software, including method programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.
- Experience with Python, SQL, R, or related tools for data processing, workflow automation, or instrument integration.
- Strong experience with binding and cell-based assays, including ELISA and flow cytometry or fluorescence-activated cell sorting.
- Ability to translate scientific needs into scalable workflows, define experimental plans, resolve complex technical issues, and manage priorities and resources across concurrent biotherapeutic discovery workstreams.
- Prior experience managing or supervising a small team of automation scientists, including coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills in a matrixed research organization.
Nice To Haves
- Experience training laboratory users, standardizing automated methods, and overseeing safe and compliant laboratory operations.
- Experience evaluating or implementing innovative antibody discovery technologies, such as microfluidics, genetic or messenger RNA immunization, single-cell screening, or other high-throughput approaches.
- Strong knowledge of antibody discovery, characterization, NGS, protein engineering, and biologics modality design.
- Contributions to publications, intellectual property, technology strategy, or external collaborations.
Responsibilities
- Develop and advance automated workflows for antibody discovery and characterization.
- Direct complex laboratory automation or high-throughput screening activities across multiple programs.
- Translate scientific needs into scalable workflows and define experimental plans.
- Resolve complex technical issues and manage priorities and resources across concurrent biotherapeutic discovery workstreams.
- Manage or supervise a small team of automation scientists, including coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
- Train laboratory users, standardize automated methods, and oversee safe and compliant laboratory operations.
- Collaborate and influence across a matrixed research organization.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits and other insurance benefits for employees and family.
- Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
- Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
- Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
- Relocation assistance is available for domestic or international relocation.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
