About this role
About This Role:
We are seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Principal Scientist with deep drug discovery and development experience in diseases with an inflammatory etiology to join our growing Immunology Research Unit in our West Coast Hub, SSF site. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in immunology, cellular and molecular biology and/or a related scientific field and contribute to the discovery and development of novel therapies targeting inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. This role requires a strong foundation in experimental design, data interpretation, and technical leadership, combined with the ability to evaluate external opportunities and contribute to strategic decision-making. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment at the nexus of basic research and therapeutic innovation to develop transformative therapies aimed at addressing unmet medical needs for patients who need it most.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and lead innovative in vitro and in vivo studies to uncover mechanisms driving inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
- Discover and validate novel drug targets, biomarkers, and pathways critical to immune-mediated disorders.
- Deliver high-quality data to support lead optimization, biomarker development, and translational research for priority programs in our expanding Immunology pipeline.
- Analyze and interpret complex datasets, ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and adherence to regulatory and safety standards; communicate findings through internal presentations and external forums (conferences, publications).
- Collaborate across disciplines—including pharmacology, synthetic medicine, protein engineering, and computational sciences—to advance target identification, drug discovery, and clinical development.
- Shape portfolio strategy by identifying gaps and opportunities for scientific innovation.
- Partner with business development and corporate strategy teams to evaluate the scientific merit of potential assets, collaborations, and licensing opportunities.
- Contribute to due diligence efforts, including mechanistic evaluations, protocol reviews, external data assessments, and intellectual property analysis.
- Champion scientific excellence and innovation by staying current with emerging research and technologies in immunology and inflammation.
Who You Are:
You are passionate about advancing the field of immunology through innovative research and strategic collaborations. With a deep commitment to scientific excellence, you thrive on driving discovery programs that have the potential to transform patient care.
This position is based in South San Francisco, California and requires frequent onsite presence. Candidates must be within commutable distance or able to self-relocate to be considered.
Qualifications:
- PhD in Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, or a related scientific field with 5+ years of industry experience, preferably in inflammatory and autoimmune disease drug discovery and development (Masters with 8+ years of experience, Bachelors with 10+ years of experience)
- Strong expertise in immune cell biology (innate and adaptive immunity), cell signaling, and immunological assay development
- Hands-on experience with relevant techniques, including, biochemical and cellular assay development, tissue culture, flow cytometry, and functional genomics techniques
- Experience with disease models of inflammation and/or autoimmunity
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and in team settings
- Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical skills for evaluating scientific data and external opportunities
- Excellent communication skills for translating complex science into business-relevant insights
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience in biotech/pharma drug discovery or translational research (5+ years)
- Experience working with small molecule, biologics, and/or cell based therapeutic drug discovery and development
- Strong technical expertise in multiparametric flow cytometry (e.g. 15+ colors)
- Experience with multiomics analyses (e.g. genomic, transcriptomic, proteomics, etc.)
- Experience in due diligence and business development support is highly desirable
Additional Information
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about our DE&I efforts.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
Other facts
About Biogen
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patients’ lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities.
We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities, to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth.
With approximately 7,000 people worldwide, we are truly a global organization, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is also home to our research operations. Our international headquarters are based in Baar, Switzerland and we have world-class manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Solothurn, Switzerland. We offer therapies globally through direct affiliate presence in 30 countries and a network of distribution partners in over 50 additional countries.
For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Community Guidelines: https://www.biogen.com/community-guidelines.html
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What you'll do
- Design and lead innovative studies to uncover mechanisms driving inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Collaborate across disciplines to advance drug discovery and contribute to strategic decision-making.
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