Senior Principal Research Scientist, Protein Sciences

IDEAYA Biosciences • South San Francisco, CA

12d • $180,000 - $223,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

IDEAYA is a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of transformative therapies for cancer. Our approach integrates expertise in small-molecule drug discovery, structural biology and bioinformatics with robust internal capabilities in identifying and validating translational biomarkers to develop tailored, potentially first-in-class targeted therapies aligned to the genetic drivers of disease. We have built a deep pipeline of product candidates focused on synthetic lethality and antibody-drug conjugates, or ADCs, for molecularly defined solid tumor indications. Our mission is to bring forth the next wave of precision oncology therapies that are more selective, more effective, and deeply personalized with the goal of altering the course of disease and improving clinical outcomes for patients with cancer. When you're at IDEAYA, you will be in the midst of brilliant minds working on precision medicine therapies to help cancer patients. We are passionate and committed about being on the forefront of oncology medicine, which means we all have a high internal drive that is at the very core of every person at IDEAYA. We are inquisitive, ask deep questions, and are data-driven innovators who like to collaborate and use team work to move science forward. For more information, please see www.ideayabio.com.

Requirements

• PhD with 9+ years’ hands-on expertise in recombinant protein production using bacterial and insect-cell expression systems; experience with mammalian expression is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and troubleshoot purification strategies for challenging proteins, protein complexes, and multiple construct variants.
• Hands-on experience with protein characterization methods such as SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, concentration determination, analytical SEC, thermal-stability methods, and assessment of aggregation and sample quality (i.e. SEC-MALS).
• Experience selecting and managing CROs or other external partners for protein production and characterization, including technical transfer, data review, troubleshooting, and quality assessment.
• Experience supervising and developing research associates and PhD-level laboratory scientists.
• Excellent oral, graphical, and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with global proteomics, phosphoproteomics, chemical biology, or chemoproteomics is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute actively in the laboratory while coordinating the day-to-day work and priorities of the Protein Sciences team in alignment with drug-discovery program needs.
• Develop and execute protein-expression and purification strategies for challenging proteins and protein complexes using bacterial, insect-cell, and other appropriate expression systems.
• Perform and oversee construct design, expression testing and optimization, protein purification, characterization, and troubleshooting, particularly for challenging proteins and protein complexes.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, fit-for-purpose protein reagents for biochemical, biophysical, structural, and screening applications.
• Partner closely with Bioassays, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Data Science to develop integrated experimental strategies and translate results into program decisions.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop research associates and PhD-level scientists, providing practical experimental guidance while enabling appropriate scientific independence.
• Identify, engage, and coordinate CROs for protein expression, purification, characterization, and related activities; establish clear work plans, review data quality, and ensure timely delivery of fit-for-purpose reagents.
• Communicate scientific strategies, findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to project teams and research leadership.

Benefits

• medical/dental/vision coverage (100% company paid for employees and 90% company paid for dependents)
• 401k
• ESPP
• wellness programs
• merit-based salary increases
• company discretionary short-term incentive plan participation
• company discretionary stock option awards

What This Job Offers

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