SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 164,000 - 205,000 / annual
Xaira Therapeutics is an AI-driven biotech startup developing generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, with a focus on historically hard-to-drug molecular targets and foundation models for biology and disease.
As a Principal Scientist on the Protein Engineering team, you will provide scientific and technical leadership in the AI-driven discovery and development of protein therapeutics, integrating experimental protein engineering with computational design. This is a hands-on, lab-based, on-site position with significant program leadership responsibilities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Define scientific strategy for therapeutic programs in partnership with Disease Biology and Therapeutic Protein Design teams, including target evaluation, therapeutic hypothesis development, and integrated AI-driven drug discovery strategies
- Work closely with computational protein designers to identify structural and biological features and incorporate insights into design campaigns
- Lead binder discovery campaigns, prioritizing screening strategies, interpreting results, and identifying hits
- Develop and execute strategies to optimize binder affinity, specificity, and developability
- Serve as scientific lead in cross-functional program meetings, communicating protein engineering strategy and progress to stakeholders
- Design, produce, purify, and characterize therapeutic proteins including antibodies using chromatographic techniques and biophysical/biochemical assays
- Maintain accurate experimental records in electronic laboratory notebooks
- Contribute to technical reports, regulatory documentation, and scientific presentations
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and contribute to laboratory organization
- Stay current with advances in antibody engineering and protein design
- Mentor and develop junior scientific staff
- Oversee CROs supporting outsourced work
- Help define and prioritize the Protein Engineering team's project portfolio
Requirements:
- Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, or related field
- At least 6 years of industry experience in biotech or biopharma R&D supporting large-molecule therapeutic programs
- Extensive hands-on experience in protein engineering, including structural and functional characterization of antibodies and other proteins using advanced analytical methods
- Deep expertise in antibody formats, production, purification, and characterization
- Proficiency in developability assessments and stability studies
- Proficiency with protein visualization and structure prediction tools (PyMOL, AlphaFold)
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to propose novel scientific approaches and explore relevant therapeutic hypotheses
- Proactive, self-directed approach with excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Enthusiasm for fast-paced, collaborative startup environment with demonstrated ability to promote cooperation across multidisciplinary teams
- Strong record of scientific achievement demonstrated by first-author publications or granted patents
Preferred qualifications:
- Direct experience with structure prediction or machine learning tools for protein design
- Experience collaborating with Process Development and supporting IND documentation
