Associate Principal Scientist, Immunology Discovery

Location: San Diego, California, United States of America. Onsite role; flexible work arrangements are not applicable. Travel requirements: 10%.

Salary: $142,400.00–$224,100.00 annual base salary, plus eligibility for annual bonus and long-term incentive where applicable.

Company

hirify.global is a global healthcare and R&D-driven pharmaceutical company developing prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products.

What you will do

• Define and drive drug discovery immunology strategies for multiple early-to-late stage programs targeting inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
• Lead cross-functional teams and advance therapeutic candidates from early discovery through clinical candidates, ensuring project milestones are completed.
• Design, execute, and interpret complex in vitro and ex vivo studies while overseeing experiments conducted by other scientists.
• Identify and implement innovative technologies and approaches for target validation, differentiation, derisking, efficiency, and program progression.
• Present program recommendations, milestones, and strategic decisions to senior governance committees and communicate complex data to stakeholders and management.
• Mentor less experienced scientists and collaborate across Discovery Immunology, Discovery Biologics, Quantitative Biosciences, Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics.

Requirements

• Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience in immunology, cell biology, or a related biomedical science, plus relevant drug discovery experience.
• Experience leading early-to-late stage discovery programs and cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong immunology background with extensive knowledge of immune-mediated diseases across Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, or Dermatology, including related preclinical models.
• Experience with cell biology techniques, including culture of cell lines, immune cells, and other primary cells; in vitro and ex vivo cell-based assays; and multi-color flow cytometry.
• Experience with immunoassay platforms such as ELISA and molecular biology techniques such as RT-PCR.
• Proficiency in data analysis using Excel, Prism (GraphPad), and FlowJo.
• Ability to work independently and operate effectively within cross-functional and matrixed teams.
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication, leadership-by-influence, and mentoring skills.

Nice to have

• Experience leading cross-functional biologics or chemistry discovery programs for Gastroenterology, Dermatology, and/or Rheumatology, especially autoimmune or immune-mediated disorders, in both large and small pharma contexts.
• Experience in translational research and biomarker discovery.
• Experience working with multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, peptides, and biologics.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive environment that values diverse experiences, perspectives, skills, and backgrounds.
• Culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, continuous learning, and respectful challenge.
• Medical, dental, vision, healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate leave, and sick days.
• Visa sponsorship is available.