Principal Scientist, Target Binding

The Role

Generate is seeking an accomplished Principal Scientist to lead Target Binding efforts within our Protein Analytics & Biophysics (PAB) department.

This individual will provide scientific and strategic leadership for protein-protein interaction, target-binding, and cell-binding measurements across multiple biotherapeutic discovery and development programs. The role will combine hands-on technical expertise, novel technology development, cross-functional program leadership, and direct management of junior scientists and research associates.

The successful candidate will be an established industry expert in quantitative biophysical assay development, particularly for challenging systems such as integral membrane proteins, lipid- associated targets, detergent-solubilized proteins, and multispecific molecules.

Here's how you will contribute

• Lead Target Binding strategy and execution across multiple biotherapeutic programs, serving as a senior PAB representative on cross-functional teams.
• Design, develop, optimize, and oversee quantitative protein-protein interaction and cell- binding assays.
• Develop fit-for-purpose approaches to measure affinity, kinetics, stoichiometry, competition, thermodynamics, and other complex binding mechanisms.
• Lead assay development for challenging molecular systems, including integral membrane proteins, lipid-raft-associated targets, detergent-solubilized proteins, membrane mimetics, and multispecific molecules.
• Advance the Target Binding technology platform by evaluating emerging technologies and developing novel, automated, high-throughput, or computationally enabled measurement approaches.
• Establish standards for assay quality, instrumentation, data processing, reproducibility, and interpretation across the function.
• Apply quantitative, statistical, machine-learning, and agentic approaches to improve experimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, and scientific decision-making.
• Partner with protein production, protein engineering, cell biology, pharmacology, prototyping lab, computational drug design, and therapeutic-application teams.
• Directly manage, mentor, and develop junior scientists and research associates, including providing technical direction, setting priorities, and supporting career development.
• Communicate complex technical findings and program recommendations to project teams, senior leadership, external collaborators, and technology partners.

The Ideal Candidate will have

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry, protein science, chemical biology, or a related discipline, with at least 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Extensive experience developing and applying quantitative protein-protein interaction and target-binding assays in an industry setting.
• Deep expertise with multiple interaction-measurement technologies, including SPR, BLI, KinExA, and cell-binding assays.
• Strong understanding of the associated instrumentation, assay formats, sample-handling requirements, data-processing workflows, and troubleshooting strategies.
• Demonstrated success characterizing complex protein-protein interactions.
• Track record of developing novel protein-interaction measurement methods or building new technical capabilities.
• Experience leading scientific strategy across multiple cross-functional programs.
• Proven experience managing, mentoring, and developing scientists or research associates.
• Strong quantitative, statistical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with biotherapeutic analytics and developability assessment for antibodies, multispecifics, antibody-drug conjugates, engineered proteins, or other biologic modalities.
• Experience with laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation, instrument integration, or computational data pipelines.
• Proficiency with scripting, quantitative modeling, data science, or machine-learning workflows.
• Practical experience using AI-enabled or agentic tools for data processing, experiment design, scientific analysis, or workflow automation.
• Record of publications, patents, external collaborations, or internally deployed platform technologies.

Leadership Attributes

• Recognized technical authority in protein-protein interaction measurement and biophysical assay development.
• Strategic, quantitative, and scientifically rigorous.
• Comfortable moving between hands-on experimentation, technology strategy, and program-level decision-making.
• Curious and willing to challenge established approaches when new technologies can improve scientific outcomes.
• Collaborative leader who develops people and builds organizational capabilities.

Compensation

The base salary range provided reflects our current estimate of what we anticipate paying for this position. Your actual base salary will be based on several factors, including job-related skills, experience, internal equity, relevant education or training, and market dynamics. In addition, you will be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and a competitive benefits package.

Per Year Salary Range $160,000 - $224,000 USD