Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist, Biology

VidaVinci is seeking a Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist, Biology, to drive and enable internal discovery programs from target identification through translational strategy and IND/IND-enabling work. This role is immunology-anchored but requires a scientist who is comfortable applying rigorous biology across immunology/inflammation, oncology, and other disease areas. The ideal candidate is academically trained (PhD postdoc), publication-proven, innovative, and thrives in a fast-paced startup where clarity, speed, hands-on ownership, and mission-driven intensity matter.

Responsibilities

• Lead biology drug discovery from the bench, from hit identification to lead optimization and development candidate nomination.
• Define and guide programmatic scientific strategy: hypotheses, experimental plans, stage-gate decisions, and risk mitigation
• Hands-on building and execution of immune-relevant assays, including cell-line line generation, assay development, and ability to deploy both standard and innovative molecular and cellular experimental tools.
• Remain hands-on at the bench, designing, executing, and troubleshooting key experiments, especially in early discovery and during critical decision points
• Effectively prioritize and generate key decisional data packages
• Partner cross-functionally (Chemistry, Protein Sciences, DMPK, Safety, Translational/Clinical) to shape TPPs and differentiated clinical positioning
• Collaborate within the biology team, including communication with and management of internal FTE and CRO partners, with strong prioritization, timelines, and data standards

Qualifications

• PhD in Biology (or related field) plus postdoctoral training with a strong publication record
• 4 years of relevant and reputable industry drug discovery experience, with meaningful biology leadership from hit generation through lead optimization and/or IND-enablement
• Highly self-driven and mission-motivated: a go-getter with strong ownership, urgency, and persistence - pushes through ambiguity, seeks solutions, and raises the bar without waiting to be asked
• Deep cell signaling expertise with a focus on immunology/inflammation, with demonstrated ability to translate mechanism into disease strategy, biomarkers, and clinical positioning
• Evidence of disease-agnostic biology experience (comfort spanning immunology, oncology, and/or other therapeutic areas)
• Strong pharmacology/cell biology foundation; ability to synthesize complex data into crisp, decision-ready recommendations
• Excellent communication and people leadership; collaborative, proactive, and effective in a startup environment