Research Scientist

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Research Scientist I/II with strong immunology training to join the Biology group and support small-molecule drug discovery programs at Iambic Therapeutics. The successful candidate will design and execute in vitro and ex vivo studies that generate high-quality data for target validation, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, and development candidate selection. The candidate will collaborate closely with colleagues in biology, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, in vivo pharmacology, computational biology, machine learning, and compound management groups. This role is based at our San Diego headquarters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, optimize, troubleshoot, and execute assays using disease-relevant immune cells and tissues, including primary human and/or pre-clinical immune cells, whole blood, cell lines, and tissue-derived systems, to measure potency, selectivity, target engagement, mechanism of action, and functional immune responses.

• Run recurring compound-profiling assays and generate timely, reproducible data to support medicinal chemistry design-make-test-analyze cycles from hit-to-lead through lead optimization and development candidate selection.

• Apply quantitative pharmacology and rigorous data-quality practices to analyze concentration-response relationships, assay performance, reproducibility, and biological relevance.

• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory records, protocols, and data packages; communicate results, technical risks, and recommended next experiments at biology and project-team meetings.

• Support in vivo immunology studies by contributing to experimental plans and readout selection, processing study samples, conducting ex vivo analyses, and interpreting exposure, PK/PD, biomarker, and efficacy data with in vivo pharmacology and DMPK colleagues.

• Support assay transfer and external studies with CROs or collaborators by executing internal bridging work, reviewing protocols and data, and troubleshooting technical issues.

• Contribute to laboratory operations, reagent and instrument qualification, method documentation, and a culture of scientific rigor, safety, collaboration, and timely execution.

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in immunology or a related field, or another biological discipline with immunology-focused postdoctoral training, plus 0–4 years of relevant experience; or MS with 7+ years / BS with 9+ years of relevant experience.

• Strong knowledge of innate and/or adaptive immunology, immune-cell signaling, and disease-relevant mechanisms, with the ability to translate biological questions into well-controlled experiments.

• Strong hands-on experience designing and executing in vitro and ex vivo immunology studies using primary human and/or animal immune cells, whole blood, or tissue-based systems, with proficiency in multiparameter flow cytometry, cytokine/chemokine assays, and complementary functional or molecular readouts.

• Ability to develop, troubleshoot, and document robust cell-based assay cascades using appropriate controls, counterscreens, and orthogonal readouts to confirm on-target activity and generate reproducible compound-profiling data; experience transferring assays to CROs or automated/HTS platforms is preferred.

• Experience supporting small-molecule discovery through compound screening or profiling; exposure to hit identification, hit-to-lead, or lead optimization is preferred.

• Working knowledge of in vivo immunology and pharmacology, including model selection, dosing, endpoints, tissue collection, PK/PD, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers; direct hands-on experience is a plus.

• Demonstrated scientific rigor, sound experimental judgment, strong organization and communication, and enthusiasm for a collaborative, bench-focused role.

ABOUT IAMBIC THERAPEUTICS

Iambic is a clinical-stage life science and technology company developing novel medicines using its AI-driven discovery and development platform. Based in San Diego and founded in 2020, Iambic has assembled a world-class team that unites pioneering AI experts and experienced drug hunters. The Iambic platform has demonstrated delivery of new drug candidates to human clinical trials with unprecedented speed and across multiple target classes and mechanisms of action. Iambic is advancing a pipeline of potential best-in-class and first-in-class clinical assets, both internally and in partnership, to address urgent unmet patient need. Learn more about the Iambic team, platform, pipeline, and partnerships at iambic.ai.

MISSION & CORE VALUES

Our mission is to deliver better medicines through innovations in AI-based discovery technologies. The culture and work at Iambic Therapeutics are profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our people and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. We are committed to building an inclusive environment where a diverse group of talented humans work together to discover therapeutics and create technologies.

PAY AND BENEFITS

We offer industry-leading competitive pay, company-paid healthcare, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, 401(k) matching, and uncapped vacation to our team. We are in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in beautiful San Diego with an onsite gym, dining, and easy access to great places to live and play.