Zyphore - Associate Director/Principal Scientist, Pharmacology

About Zyphore

Zyphore is a cutting-edge biotechnology company focused on developing enzyme-based therapeutics to address diseases of metabolism and inflammation. By leveraging proprietary enzyme engineering, half-life extension (HLE), and immunogenicity shielding technologies, Zyphore aims to revolutionize enzyme-based therapeutics and provide best-in-class (BIC) therapies for patients.

The Associate Director or Principal Scientist of Pharmacology will lead the pharmacology assay work for Zyphore’s Protein Engineering and Half-Life Extension strategies to enhance enzyme stability, activity, and immune shielding. This role will lead efforts in assay development, applying immunology, pharmacology, molecular biology, structural biology, and computational tools to select and characterize lead therapeutic molecules with enhanced function, stability, and developability, with a proven ability to lead cross-functional scientific teams. This researcher will also lead preclinical study design and manage external collaborations. You will drive scientific innovation while collaborating closely with colleagues in discovery biology, protein sciences, and translational science.

This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role ideal for an immunologist or pharmacologist with extensive immunogenicity experience passionate about creating biologics that make a difference for patients.
Key Responsibilities
● Design and develop immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetic and pharmacodynamics assays.
● Design preclinical studies and relevant assays.
● Manage external partnerships with preclinical study CROs, consultants, or academic labs as needed.
● Support plate-based enzymatic kinetics, activity, and protein stability assays.
● Support molecular cloning and construct variant libraries.
● Collaborate cross-functionally to align assay development with protein design, bioconjugation, bioanalytics, and downstream translational goals.
● Maintain detailed electronic lab notebooks and communicate findings effectively to the scientific team.
● Collaborate with cross-functional team members and external partners to drive programs aligned with strategic goals.
● Contribute to intellectual property strategy and write technical sections for patents and regulatory documents.
● Mentor junior scientists and help build a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration.

Qualifications
● PhD in Immunology, Pharmacology, or related field.
● 8+ years of postdoctoral and industry experience in immunology, pharmacology, or biologics drug development. Experience working in early-stage biotech is preferred.
● Deep expertise in immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics assay development, optimization and execution.
● Hands-on experience in handling animal tissue samples, primary cells and cell lines, and performing immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
assays.
● Strong experience in plate-based low- and high-throughput assay development. Hands-on automation experience is highly preferred.
● Strong experience in managing external partnerships with preclinical CROs.
● Proven ability in preclinical study designs, including but not limited to mouse, rat and NHP studies.
● Strong data analysis and communication skills, with the ability to present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
● Proficient in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, mutagenesis, cloning, transformation, transfection.
● Proven ability to collaborate effectively with internal cross-functional teams and external partners.

● Enthusiastic about learning new technologies and scientific advancements.
● Adaptable to a fast-paced environment and capable of managing diverse tasks.
● Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly and concisely.
● Track record of innovation and scientific contributions (e.g., publications, patents, IND support).

What We Will Offer You