Sr Principal Scientist/AD/Director, Bioanalytical

Bioanalytical (BioA) – Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director / Director

Location: Seattle, WA (onsite)

Company: Venture-backed biotech (stealth mode)

About the Company

Breakwater Therapeutics is an early-stage, venture-backed biotech operating in stealth mode. We’re building a nimble team that thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly from idea to experiment, and collaborates closely across science and operations to inform decision-making.

The Opportunity

This is a foundational Bioanalytical (BioA) role responsible for establishing our in-house ligand-binding assay capabilities and leading the development and qualification of PK and ADA assays to support our antibody programs. You’ll drive assay strategy and execution from early method development through CRO transfer, setting high standards for data quality, reproducibility, and regulatory readiness.

This is a hands-on position with significant cross-functional visibility and long-term potential for leadership as the company scales.

What You’ll Do:

Build & run BioA capability

• Define BioA strategy across nonclinical and clinical stages; align plans with program milestones
• Establish internal workflows, acceptance criteria, reference standards, bridging/lottolot strategies, sample tracking (ELN/LIMS), and data QC
• Author SOPs and fitforpurpose qualification/validation plans consistent with ICH and relevant guidance

Ligand-binding PK assay development

• Design and develop antiidiotypic ligandbinding assays (e.g., ELISA, MSD) to quantify program antibodies in relevant matrices
• Leverage biophysical tools (e.g., SPR, BLI) for reagent selection/characterization and to understand binding kinetics/epitope coverage
• Establish assay performance characteristics (specificity, selectivity, dilution linearity, precision/accuracy, hook/drug tolerance, stability) and qualify/validate as appropriate
• Develop an antiidiotypic control method to quantify a marketed antibody in NHP and human matrices to support comparative PK

Immunogenicity (ADA/NAb) strategy & execution

• Build tiered ADA methods (screen/confirm/titer) with appropriate cutpoint determination, tolerance assessments, and confirmatory competition
• Design and qualify neutralizing antibody (NAb) assays (ligandbinding or cellbased) as needed for risk assessment
• Define sampling plans, data review criteria, and reporting conventions for nonclinical and clinical studies.

Tech transfer & CRO management

• Author method transfer packages; conduct onsite/remote transfers, training, and readiness reviews
• Select and manage CROs, negotiate scopes/timelines, and oversee study execution, data QC, deviations/CAPAs, and audit preparedness
• Ensure data packages and certificates meet regulatory expectations for inclusion in regulatory submissions

Documentation & regulatory contributions

• Write and review method development reports, qualification/validation reports, and bioanalytical sections of regulatory filings (e.g., IND/CTA; contribute to BLAenabling documentation)
• Provide concise data summaries and recommendations to senior leadership; present at internal governance

Collaboration & leadership

• Partner with Discovery, Protein Sciences, Nonclinical, Clinical, and CMC to align materials, timelines, and decision points
• As the team grows, mentor/lead 1–2 RAs/Scientists while remaining a hands on contributor

What You’ll Bring:

Minimum qualifications

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutics, or a related field.
• 5 years of relevant industry experience in ligand-binding bioanalytical method development for monoclonal antibodies, including first IND and BLA participation.
• Hands-on expertise with ligand-binding assay platforms (ELISA, MSD, BLI, SPR).
• Demonstrated experience developing and qualifying ADA and NAb assays.
• Proven success with in-house assay development and subsequent tech transfer to CROs.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory expectations (ICH, FDA guidance) for bioanalytical method validation.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience establishing new assay capabilities or standing up internal bioanalytical infrastructure.
• Familiarity with reagent generation and characterization (e.g., anti-idiotypic antibody screening and qualification).
• Working knowledge of bioanalytical support for both preclinical (NHP) and clinical PK studies.
• Strong vendor management skills and experience authoring CRO study plans and data QC packages.
• Experience contributing to regulatory submissions and responding to bioanalytical queries.

Traits for success

• Highly motivated, autonomous operator with a builder’s mindset; flexible, meticulous, and eager to learn and optimize.
• Clear, concise communicator who can synthesize complex datasets and recommend next steps to senior leadership.

Tools & Environment (representative)

MSD, ELISA plate readers, SPR/BLI instruments (e.g., Octet/Biacore), lab automation tools, LIMS/ELN systems, chromatography systems, standard biochemistry lab equipment.

Title & Level

Level open: we anticipate hiring between Senior Principal Scientist and Director; exceptional Scientist/Senior Scientist candidates will also be considered.

Why Join Us

Play a foundational role in a venture-backed startup, shaping the bioanalytical strategy and infrastructure from the ground up. Collaborate closely with experienced company builders and scientific leaders across the Frazier Life Sciences network.

Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.

How to Apply: Please send your CV and a brief note highlighting hands-on experience with pseudovirus neutralization, serial passaging under selective pressure, plaque purification, and sequencing-based characterization.