An Assay Development Scientist creates assays or systems to test and evaluate the effect of a chemical compound on an organism. Directs assay development as part of a research process to develop new drugs.
Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist, Translational Immunotherapy Sift Bio is building a cutting-edge proprietary platform that combines AI, metagenomics, and high-throughput T-cell screening to discover epitopes that drastically amplify pre-existing immune memory responses, unlocking targeted, effective, and safe treatment for cancers and autoimmune diseases where current therapies fall short. Spinning out of UC Berkeley, the Sift Bio team brings together AI-driven discovery and deep translational immunology, with a proven track record of advancing novel immunotherapies from early concept through IND-enabling development. Collectively, the team has built and scaled high-throughput discovery platforms and led T-cell, peptide, and cell-based immunotherapy programs across leading academic labs, biotech startups, and biopharma. Merging this experience with proprietary datasets and computational pipelines, Sift Bio is shaping a new frontier in immunotherapy, unlocking the power of pre-existing immunity to create a fundamentally new class of treatments for immune dysfunctions. Our ultimate goal is to bring durable disease control to every patient. We are seeking a Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist to work on our lead oncology program, leading the path from hit-to-lead generation to DC nomination for an off-the-shelf, memory-recall-based immunotherapy: designing, executing, and interpreting primary-cell assays that establish mechanism, potency, and safety. This role will report to the CTO and be fully onsite at 733 Industrial Road, San Carlos, CA.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Drive the identification, engineering, and functional optimization of lead immunotherapeutic candidates from early discovery through to DC nomination. Design and execute cell-based assays (e.g., multi-parameter flow cytometry, cytotoxicity, cytokine profiling) to evaluate memory-recall, T-cell activation, and target engagement. Characterize primary human T-cells and PBMCs (e.g. phenotyping) both prior and following response to stimulation. Navigate challenges in working with, and characterizing, polyclonal T-cell responses, and is aware of how these challenges differ from monoclonal T-cell products. Develop and support assays to forecast off-target events that leverage cross-reactivity as a method for overcoming antigen tolerance. Benchwork to include profiling antigen-specific T-cells using IFN-γ ELISpot, and activation-induced marker (AIM) assays, and intracellular cytokine staining, with matrix/pool deconvolution design. Develop assays to forecast off-target events in a system that leverages cross-reactivity as a method for overcoming antigen tolerance. Oversee tetramer/dextramer and multimer staining, including executing high-avidity, peptide-MHC (pMHC) assays and employing DNA-barcoded multimers. Running standard cytotoxicity readouts (e.g. IncuCyte). Interpreting immunopeptidomics (LC-MS/MS HLA-ligand) data generated by collaborators/CROs and translate it into epitope-processing and presentation decisions. Investigate the biological mechanisms (MoA) underlying the therapy's ability to drive vigorous, durable anti-tumor memory. Oversee in vivo and ex vivo studies to define the therapeutic's efficacy, pharmacodynamics (PD), and pharmacokinetics (PK). Partner with the R&D team to de-risk assets prior to IND-enabling studies. Manage direct reports/vendor/collaborators , present data to cross-functional teams, and author technical reports and regulatory documents to support governance reviews. Interpret, analyze, present, and properly record data. Prepare documents and presentations that encompass project progression.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, or a related field, plus 5+ years of post-doctoral or industry experience. Alternatively, a Master's degree with 8 to 10+ years of biotech experience. Job title will commensurate with experience. Excited by and scientifically driven to overcome complex technical challenges that will contribute to safe treatment for cancers and autoimmune diseases. Strong T-cell biology expertise, with extensive experience characterizing low frequency (<0.1%) CD8 and CD4 responses, and knowledge of how to improve readouts of rare T-cell responses. Working knowledge of HLA biology, supertypes, population coverage logic, and HLA-matched experimental systems. Immunotherapy drug development experience is a must. Prior cancer-vaccine or general vaccine development experience, including peptide, protein-subunit, or nucleic-acid modalities, spanning antigen selection through in vivo immunogenicity. Familiarity with adjuvants (TLR agonists, saponins, poly-ICLC) and how formulation shapes the T-cell response. Experience with HLA-transgenic mouse models and/or human PBMC xenograft/humanized models, and familiarity with readouts both in flight and downstream of animal studies. Proven ability to contribute to the scientific direction of a project. Strong written and oral communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences. Conscientious team member with experience taking and giving constructive feedback. Must be comfortable with executing lab work full time in a preclinical-stage startup environment, and capable of finding solutions to tough problems with limited resources. Sift Bio is pleased to offer competitive: Medical, Dental, and Vision health plans. Flexible time off. Bonus and Equity plans. Commuter transit benefit. 401(k) retirement plan. Sift Bio is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind as outlined by applicable laws.
Pay:
$130,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance Application Question(s): Please tell us about your experience with cancer-vaccine or general vaccine development experience, including peptide, protein-subunit, or nucleic-acid modalities, spanning antigen selection through in vivo immunogenicity.
