Principal Scientist – ADC Pharmacology

About Callio Therapeutics

With offices in Seattle, San Diego, and Singapore, Callio Therapeutics is developing next-generation, multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) designed to improve outcomes for people with cancer. Backed by leading life-sciences investors and led by a highly experienced ADC team of experts, Callio is advancing differentiated payload and linker technologies, progressing its HER2-targeted dual-payload ADC in the clinic, while leveraging their unique platform to build a broader pipeline of innovative dual-payload ADC programs. 

About the Role

Reporting to the Vice President, Research, Callio is seeking a hands-on Principal Scientist in our Seattle location to help contribute to strategy for and manage the pharmacology for novel dual payload ADC projects. In this independent role, the successful candidate will spend approximately 25-50% of their time at the bench generating data balanced with helping develop pharmacology strategy, project leadership, and oversight of external studies, working closely with and managing external vendors, research collaborations, as well as colleagues across Seattle, San Diego and Singapore. 

Key Responsibilities

• Contributing to and managing execution of the pharmacology strategy to help ensure appropriate data generation needed to support project decision making  

• Hands on lab work (25-50% of time) focused primarily on in vitro/ex vivo ADC analysis and MOA characterization; independently design, execute, troubleshoot, analyze and interpret experiments and develop new assays as needed 

• Management of external CROs, vendors, collaborators and consultants through planning, contracting, execution and reporting phases  

• Contribution to cross-functional project teams as the research expert  

• Own project management for pharmacology deliverables: build and maintain timelines, budgets, resource plans and proactively escalate issues 

• Manage multiple programs simultaneously in a fast-paced, resource-lean environment 

Qualifications and Technical Skills

• PhD in pharmacology, cell biology, cancer biology or related field with 5+ years industry experience preferred. Masters in similar disciplines with 8+ years industry experience or equivalent education and experience 

• Experience with discovery ADC projects (both in vitro and in vivo), prefer novel payload experience 

• Demonstrated expertise shown with high impact publications and presentations to external audiences  

• Self-starter who thrives in a lean, start-up environment, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution and who is comfortable growing their skill set to take on new challenges outside of their area of expertise 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to work effectively across time zones (Seattle/Singapore) with some travel as needed 

Technical skills

• Hands on experience performing in vitro characterization assays including but not limited to: cytotoxicity and potency, internalization and trafficking, bystander killing (co-culture and conditioned-medium transfer), serum and linker stability 

• Experience with in-depth mechanism of action studies and validation of payload MOA 

• Familiarity with exposure response and dose response assessments  

• Familiarity with in vivo study design and analysis  

• Experience designing and analyzing results from NHP tolerability and TK studies 

• Experience managing external CROs, particularly in Asia  

The anticipated salary range for this position is $155,930 to $176,488. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. In addition to base salary, the hired applicant will be eligible to receive an annual bonus and an equity grant at hire in the form of the option to purchase stock in the future for a specified price.   

What Callio Therapeutics Offers

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package 

• A high-impact role in a lean, innovative, and collaborative biotechnology company 

• The opportunity to shape pharmacology strategy and execution for potentially transformative cancer therapies.