Principal/Senior Principal Scientist

About Xaira Therapeutics

Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London.

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished immunologist with human T-cell biology expertise, preferably with direct experience investigating immunogenicity of biologics. This role will involve investigations into the fundamental biology governing immunogenicity, development of novel assays and supporting immunogenicity risk assessment and mitigation for pipeline programs. They will be responsible for leading the development and execution of assays directly in the lab while actively participating in a variety of interdisciplinary collaborations with machine learning, bioinformatics and proteomics colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently lead efforts to develop, troubleshoot, and execute primary human T-cell assays focused on evaluating antigenicity of proteins and identifying T-cell epitopes. This includes dendritic cell/T-cell co-culture systems, naïve/memory T-cell assays, and cytokine profiling.
• Provide integrated immunogenicity assessments for candidate biologics that combine in vitro cellular readouts, proteomic screens, and in silico sequence evaluations in a holistic risk assessment. 
• Standardize, automate and scale T-cell assays to enable reproducibility and increase throughput.
• Data analysis, QC, and data management to enable decision making and machine learning approaches.
• Support the maintenance of a human PBMC bank.
• Collaborate with target evaluation and pipeline program teams to provide. immunogenicity risk assessment and mitigation support.
• Present program updates and research strategies internally across functions and externally to partners.
• Advance scientific expertise within immunogenicity space by staying up-to-date with literature, attending conferences and participating in industry working groups.

Qualifications

• PhD with 10+ years direct experience outside of PhD in Immunology or related field (industry experience required).
• Direct experience working with primary human T-cells (isolation, antigen presenting cell induction, antigen specific activation, etc.) and assessment of routine immune assay readouts (e.g., flow cytometry, bead/ELISA-based cytokine readouts, ELISpot, immunofluorescence, etc.).
• Demonstrated capabilities in scaling and automating assays strongly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of T-cell biology (experience evaluating immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins strongly preferred).
• Familiarity with in-silico immunogenicity assessment methods and tools.
• Previous experience contributing to biologics drug development programs, familiarity with technical report/IND preparations, knowledge of current regulatory expectations (FDA, EMA) and best practices for immunogenicity risk assessment and mitigation.
• Demonstrated impact within discipline (e.g. strong publication record, conference presentations, etc.).
• Proven management and mentorship abilities, including supervising, coaching and developing junior scientists.
• Self-directed and capable of leading multiple complex research projects independently while collaborating with interdisciplinary stakeholders.
• Ability to promote an inclusive environment where diverse ideas, viewpoints and backgrounds are valued; willingness and ability to lead inclusively and demonstrate a commitment to listen and consider all points of view.

Compensation

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. The base pay range for this position is expected to be $173,000-$225,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.

Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.

Xaira Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Human Resources to request accommodation.

TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Xaira Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or employees. Xaira Therapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.