Principal Scientist, Early Discovery & Immune Cell Engineering

General Description:

Candidates must be able to work onsite in San Carlos, California.

At BeOne Institute, we extend BeOne’s execution strength with a dedicated innovation engine, bringing agility and scientific depth to transform uncertainty into actionable and high-impact therapeutic opportunities. We operate according to three core principles:

• Bold exploration: we pursue novel and high-potential ideas through rapid, iterative innovation cycles.

• Strategic alignment: we prioritize disease areas that align closely with BeOne’s R&D priorities and long-term vision.

• Pipeline impact: we translate insights into tangible assets and advance emerging platforms into impactful programs.

We are seeking a strategic and highly adaptive Principal Scientist to lead early discovery programs within our agile biotech ecosystem.

This role requires a unique blend of laboratory execution, matrix leadership, and a rigorous drug-development mindset. As a Principal Scientist, you will play a critical role in shaping BeOne’s early discovery pipeline. Operating in a highly dynamic environment, you will help evaluate and determine our optimal therapeutic bets—whether that means developing a novel cell therapy platform, or identifying other high-potential modalities across Immuno-Oncology (IO) and Immunology & Inflammation (I&I). This position demands an individual who balances deep literature research with hands-on bench execution, possesses a collaborative spirit, and confidently brings independent, innovative hypotheses to the table.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Drive early discovery strategy, evaluate emerging scientific opportunities and literature to guide internal pipeline decisions.

• Advance immune cell engineering platforms to deliver novel cell therapies for oncology and immunology indications.

• Build, optimize, and deploy high-throughput screening platforms using pooled and arrayed approaches.

• Develop robust, quantitative cell-based immunology assays to characterize therapeutic potency.

• Lead hands-on execution of in vitro and ex vivo studies to generate decision-enabling data packages.

• Lead cross-functional matrix teams, collaborate with experts across the organization and mentor junior scientists to foster technical excellence, scientific rigor, and professional growth.

• Distill and present complex biological data packages

• Contribute to operational and management activities to support objectives at the San Carlos site.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May directly manage scientists and/or provide matrix leadership for project teams.

Requirements:

Travel: No

• Ph.D, M.D., or equivalent advanced degree in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a related scientific discipline with 5+years of dedicated biotech or pharmacutical industry experience.

• Extensive, hands-on expertise in molecular biology (cloning, construct design, IVT mRNA synthesis) alongside deep proficiency in modifying primary immune cells using both viral (e.g., lentivirus) and non-viral (e.g., electroporation, CRISPR/Cas9, transposons) methodologies.

• A clear track record of navigating drug discovery programs. You prioritize actionable, milestone-moving data over open-ended academic exploration.

• Demonstrated success designing and executing complex cell-based immunology assays, as well as managing pooled or arrayed genetic/chemical screens.

• Proven experience successfully leading or driving progress within matrixed, multidisciplinary project teams in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the confidence to challenge assumptions, debate technical strategies transparently, and introduce innovative concepts.

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong portfolio of peer-reviewed publications or patent filings in relevant areas of immunology, cell engineering, or oncology discovery.

• Demonstrated experience mentoring, training, or supervising junior scientists and research associates, fostering their technical growth.

• Hands-on experience working across multiple immune cell types (e.g., T cells, NK cells, macrophages, or B cells) rather than a single specific cell lineage.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.