Scientist II, Cell Pharmacology

C4 Therapeutics • Watertown, MA

3d

About The Position

C4 Therapeutics is seeking a scientifically motivated Research Scientist II to join the Cell Pharmacology group within Lead Discovery. This hands-on role develops and executes robust cell-based assays that inform screening, compound profiling, structure–activity relationships, and discovery program progression in targeted protein degradation. The scientist works closely with colleagues across Lead Discovery, Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, and other functions to address challenging scientific questions and translate rigorous experimentation into program decisions. The role offers scientific ownership, access to advanced technologies, and opportunities to expand technical and drug discovery expertise in a collaborative environment that values independence, curiosity, open communication, and diverse perspectives.

Requirements

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biotechnology, or a related discipline, with at least two years of relevant post-PhD research experience; or a Master’s degree with at least three years of relevant post-graduate experience.
• Expertise developing and executing multi-well cell-based screening and profiling assays.
• Hands-on proficiency with HiBiT, HTRF, and CellTiter-Glo, including optimization, controls, performance assessment, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with medium- or high-throughput workflows, laboratory automation, liquid handling, plate readers, or assay data systems.
• Strong quantitative skills in processing, visualizing, and interpreting cellular assay and screening data.
• Advanced, independent mammalian cell-culture skills across multiple cell lines, including maintenance, expansion, cryopreservation, banking, quality control, and troubleshooting.
• Experience engineering cell lines and establishing fit-for-purpose cellular models.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple deliverables, and adapt in a fast-paced drug discovery environment.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, including proactively sharing data, progress, challenges, and proposed next steps.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry working in small-molecule drug discovery and targeted protein degradation.
• Experience working with CROs, including assay transfer, study oversight, troubleshooting, and data review.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, validate, and execute fit-for-purpose cell-based assays for screening, hit confirmation, compound profiling, mechanism-of-action studies, and SAR progression.
• Use HiBiT, HTRF, and CellTiter-Glo technologies to measure protein degradation, pathway modulation, viability, and related pharmacology endpoints.
• Independently culture, characterize, bank, and troubleshoot mammalian cell lines; engineer cellular models using stable or transient expression and genome-editing approaches.
• Plan rigorous experiments with appropriate controls and performance criteria, and identify and resolve assay and cell-line issues.
• Process, analyze, visualize, interpret, and document screening and pharmacology data; translate findings into recommendations for compound and project decisions.
• Communicate data, progress, risks, and next steps through timely updates, presentations, and cross-functional discussions.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to laboratory safety, organization, reagent stewardship, technology evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Support CRO activities as needed, including assay transfer, protocol review, troubleshooting, timeline coordination, and data-quality assessment.

What This Job Offers

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