Senior Principal Scientist at Abata Therapeutics

South San Francisco, California, United States

Abata Therapeutics Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
BiotechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or a related field with 8+ years of post-doctoral experience in an academic or industry setting, with a focus on technology development
  • Demonstrated hands-on expertise in one or more of the following areas: high-throughput antibody screening, microfluidics, advanced microscopy/imaging, complex cell-based assay development, and molecular biology innovation (e.g., library construction, genetic engineering)
  • Proven track record of technology development and implementation, successfully onboarding new platforms that have tangibly impacted discovery programs
  • Experience with a wide range of biological systems, including mammalian cell culture, primary cells, and complex cellular models relevant to biologics discovery
  • Prior experience in a leadership or mentorship role, with a demonstrated ability to manage and develop Ph.D. level scientists effectively
  • Experience or strong enthusiasm for working at the interface of biology and data science; ability to collaborate effectively with AI/ML and computational scientists
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the identification, evaluation, and implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance the speed, scale, and quality of biologics discovery campaigns
  • Act as a key individual contributor, providing hands-on expertise in the lab to de-risk new technologies and establish robust workflows in areas such as high-throughput screening, microfluidics, advanced imaging, and novel molecular biology tools
  • Build, lead, mentor, and manage a dedicated team of 2 Ph.D.-level scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific rigor
  • Partner closely with multidisciplinary teams, including drug discovery, protein sciences, AI/ML, and biology, to define key scientific questions and integrate new technological capabilities into discovery workflows
  • Drive the design, execution, and optimization of sophisticated screening assays and technology development projects that directly impact program goals
  • Develop and champion the strategic vision for technology innovation within biologics discovery, staying current with the latest scientific and technological advancements
  • Present scientific findings, project progress, and strategic proposals to internal and external stakeholders, contributing to publications and intellectual property filings
  • Oversee experimental design, protocol development, and resource allocation for the Exploration Technology team to ensure project milestones and scientific objectives are met

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

High-Throughput ScreeningAntibody ScreeningMicrofluidicsMolecular BiologyBioengineeringAdvanced ImagingBiologics Discovery

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the location or work arrangement for this role?

Xaira Therapeutics is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London, but specific work arrangement details like remote or hybrid options are not mentioned.

What qualifications are required for the Senior Principal Scientist role?

A Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or a related field with 8+ years of post-doctoral experience in an academic or industry setting is required.

What salary or compensation is offered for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What team will the Senior Principal Scientist lead?

The role involves building, leading, mentoring, and managing a dedicated team of 2 Ph.D.-level scientists.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Principal Scientist position?

A visionary and hands-on scientific leader with expertise in high-throughput antibody screening, advanced molecular biology, microfluidics, and bioengineering, plus experience leading teams and collaborating multidisciplinary, stands out.

Abata Therapeutics

Develops therapies for autoimmune diseases

About Abata Therapeutics

Abata Therapeutics develops therapies for autoimmune diseases, focusing on type 1 diabetes. Their main product, ABA 201, is a Treg cell therapy aimed at patients with some remaining beta cell function. This therapy works by utilizing regulatory T cells to improve patient outcomes. Unlike many competitors, Abata targets a specific niche within the autoimmune disease market and collaborates with partners like ElevateBio for process development and manufacturing. The company's goal is to transform treatment options for autoimmune diseases through advanced research and development.

Cambridge, MassachusettsHeadquarters
2021Year Founded
$184.8MTotal Funding
EARLY_VCCompany Stage
BiotechnologyIndustries
11-50Employees

Risks

Intensifying competition from companies like Sangamo Therapeutics may impact Abata's market share.
Stringent FDA scrutiny on manufacturing could delay Abata's clinical trials.
Rising clinical trial costs pose financial risks to Abata's pipeline progression.

Differentiation

Abata focuses on Treg cell therapies for autoimmune diseases like MS and diabetes.
Their lead product, ABA 201, targets type 1 diabetes with remaining beta cell function.
Abata's strategic partnership with ElevateBio enhances their manufacturing capabilities.

Upsides

Recent investment from Bristol Myers Squibb boosts Abata's Treg therapy pipeline development.
FDA's accelerated approval pathways may expedite Abata's clinical trials.
Growing autoimmune disease prevalence increases demand for Abata's innovative treatments.

Land your dream remote job 3x faster with AI