Senior Scientist, Biology & Pharmacology

Xaira Therapeutics • South San Francisco, CA

5d • $140,000 - $170,000

About The Position

Xaira Therapeutics is seeking a lab-based Senior Scientist in Inflammation and Immunology to join our Biology & Pharmacology department. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on research environment, has experience working with primary human or mouse immune cells and ex vivo tissue systems, and is excited to help shape therapeutic program strategy.
In this role, you will investigate disease biology and drug mechanisms, generate actionable data, and contribute to advancing therapeutic programs through cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

• PhD in Immunology or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience; industry experience preferred.
• Track record of impact through publications, presentations, or applied research.
• Hands-on experience with primary human or mouse immune cells and/or ex vivo tissue systems.
• Strong expertise in flow cytometry, including high-parameter panel design, execution, and data analysis.
• Proven ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear communicator who can distill complex data into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Drive preclinical programs by designing and executing in vitro and in vivo studies that explore disease biology, target validation, and lead candidate development.
• Identify knowledge gaps, ask critical mechanistic questions to guide program direction, and evaluate novel targets and therapeutic strategies.
• Dissociate human tissue biopsies into single-cell suspensions or establish human tissue slice cultures for downstream functional or phenotyping assays.
• Lead immune profiling and functional characterization using high-parameter flow cytometry (15+ colors or spectral platforms), functional assays (T cell activation, differentiation, proliferation, suppression), and molecular/cytokine profiling (MSD, Luminex, qPCR, RNA sequencing).
• Translate experimental data into actionable insights and clearly communicate findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers.
• A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants.
• We offer a competitive package that includes base salary, bonus, and equity.

What This Job Offers

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