Principal Scientist, Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology

Roche • South San Francisco, CA

2d

About The Position

The Principal Scientist will join Genentech’s Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology Department as part of a collaborative team discovering and characterizing therapeutic drug candidates. The role spans early-stage research through final IND candidate selection, applying deep expertise in G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) pharmacology to develop screening assay cascades and investigate receptor mechanisms of action that inform target candidate profiles.

The role provides scientific and strategic leadership on multidisciplinary project teams, including hands-on development, optimization, execution, and interpretation of advanced molecular pharmacology assays. The scientist will serve as a GPCR subject matter expert, guide program direction, mentor Scientist colleagues, and communicate scientific findings and recommendations to project teams, internal stakeholders, and senior leadership. The work supports pharmacological characterization of candidates in cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic disease fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 4–12 years of postdoctoral and/or industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in receptor theory, signal transduction pathways, allosteric modulation, and biased signaling.
• Hands-on experience with diverse GPCR assay platforms, such as cAMP, calcium flux, BRET/FRET, and Beta-arrestin recruitment.
• Expertise in cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic disease fields.
• Experience working with a wide range of primary cells and gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR.
• A proven track record developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting biochemical and cell-based assay cascades in primary and recombinant systems.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, and the ability to contribute effectively to cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience delivering scientific presentations to project teams and executive leadership.
• Ability to multitask, solve problems, and drive projects forward with a self-directed work ethic in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary GPCR expert and strategic advocate for Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology on multidisciplinary project teams, contributing at the bench and leadership levels.
• Oversee and contribute to rigorous in vitro pharmacological characterization of lead candidates in cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic disease fields.
• Lead the development, optimization, and execution of advanced molecular pharmacology assays, particularly those involving protein-protein interactions, secondary messengers, and biosensors.
• Investigate complex GPCR mechanisms of action in transfected and primary cells.
• Provide scientific mentorship and strategic guidance to Scientist partners to execute complex experiments, streamline workflows, and ensure robust data analysis.
• Evaluate, adopt, and leverage advancing technologies to evolve pharmacological capabilities and support next-generation therapeutics.
• Analyze data using advanced computational tools and present scientific findings and strategic directions to internal stakeholders, project teams, and senior leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree