Posted 29 September, 2026
Job Id: 631318
Senior Research Associate – Scientist I, Discovery Biology
Job Description
Senior Research Associate – Scientist I, Discovery Biology
The Opportunity
- Plan, execute, and analyze in vitro cell-based assays to support small molecule and degrader-antibody conjugate discovery efforts in cancer oncology, including mechanistic studies and new target identification
- Perform routine and specialized cell culture (cancer cell lines and/or primary cells) to support lead progression and follow-up studies
- Independently troubleshoot experimental issues and proactively introduce new techniques and efficiencies to accelerate drug discovery
- Analyze and interpret experimental data to quantify drug potency and activity, and communicate results clearly to project teams
- Upload and maintain experimental data in electronic lab notebooks and enterprise databases with a high level of accuracy and timeliness
- Collaborate closely with scientists across disciplines, contributing to experimental design, meeting presentations, and project strategy
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant industry experience, Master’s degree with 4+ years, or Ph.D. with 1-2 years of industry experience in Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field (final level based on education, experience, and demonstrated independence)
- Strong background in cancer cell biology
- Extensive hands-on experience with cell culture (cancer cell lines and/or primary cells) and good aseptic technique
- Hands-on experience and proficiency with low- to medium-throughput cell-based assay platforms such as HTRF, AlphaLISA/ELISA, CellTiter-Glo, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, and Western blotting/JESS, and other functional assay development
- Ability to conceive, design, and execute hypothesis-testing experiments that directly contribute to project success with minimal supervision
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, data integrity, and commitment to reproducible research
- Clear written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated effectiveness working with cross-functional teams
- Ability to balance multiple studies and deliver high-quality results against project timelines
Preferred
- Experience with gene editing such as CRISPR and RNA interference
- Experience with targeted protein degradation, including PROTACs, degrader-antibody-conjugates, and molecular glue degraders
- Prior industry drug discovery experience
Location: Onsite – Brisbane, CA
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy not to discriminate against any applicant or employee, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment across all locations in which we operate. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our mission and enhance our ability to serve clients globally. If you have a disability or require any reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please inform your recruiter or contact us directly so that we can explore the appropriate arrangements.
Fraud Alert
Candidate safety is a top priority at Planet Pharma. The industry has seen an increase in people falsely representing themselves as recruiters to gather personal information from job seekers. For your safety, do not provide sensitive data to anyone you have not spoken with thoroughly, never provide banking information during the application process and always double check the email address of the Recruiter to ensure it’s from an official Planet Pharma domain (@planet-pharma.com, @planet-pharma.co.uk, and @ppgadvisorypartners.com) and not a domain with an alternative extension like .net, .org or .jobs.