Senior Principal Scientist - Drug Development

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Genentech’s Investigative Toxicology group within the Translational Safety department is dedicated to elucidating the mechanisms underlying toxicities observed for novel therapeutics spanning from drug discovery through clinical development. By employing state-of-the-science in vitro and ex vivo experimental approaches, the group provides fit-for-purpose solutions to address target safety assessments, guide lead optimization, and de-convolute complex safety liabilities.

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Principal / Senior Principal Scientist to join our team as an individual contributor. In this role, you will be responsible for driving the strategy, development, and implementation of predictive and mechanistic safety capabilities specifically tailored to support our Neuroscience and Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic (CVRM) portfolios.

Operating in newly established spaces characterized by emerging therapeutic modalities, you will establish unique preclinical safety roadmaps, interface directly with cross-functional project teams, lead matrixed experimental execution with laboratory staff, and partner with internal predictive modeling groups and external consortia to advance New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).

The Opportunity:

The responsibilities of this Senior Scientist position will :

1. Portfolio Strategy & Project Team Engagement

- Serve as the primary Investigative Toxicology subject matter expert and representative on discovery and early development project teams across the Neuroscience and CVRM portfolios.
- Apply a deep working knowledge of drug discovery/development workflows to identify rate-limiting safety liabilities early, define critical path questions, and influence candidate selection.
- Partner with Project Team Toxicologists, Discovery Scientists, and Pathologists to guide nonclinical safety strategies and mechanistic de-risking plans.

2. Preclinical Safety Roadmaps for Emerging Modalities

- Establish, qualify, and execute hypothesis-driven preclinical safety roadmaps tailored to novel and emerging therapeutic modalities (e.g., advanced biologics, nucleic acid therapies, cell and gene therapies, multi-specifics).
- Operate effectively in ambiguous, newly established scientific areas by identifying technological gaps and designing innovative solutions to characterize on-target and exaggerated pharmacology liabilities.

3. Capability Development & Matrixed Execution

- Drive the strategic identification, validation, and implementation of next-generation capability needs for Neuro and CVRM safety assessment.
- Act as the lead scientific strategist leveraging matrixed support from Investigative Toxicology wet-lab members to design, oversee, and interpret complex experimental studies.
- Ensure rigorous data integrity, thorough electronic laboratory notebook documentation, and publication-ready technical reports.

4. Predictive Toxicology Integration

- Partner closely with colleagues across the Predictive Toxicology group—specifically Model Development / Complex In-Vitro Systems (CIS) and Computational Toxicology—to establish translatable, predictive workflows.
- Co-develop and implement human-relevant cellular systems (e.g., organ-on-a-chip, microphysiological systems, iPSC-derived cellular models, high-content imaging, and toxicogenomics) to tailor assay platforms to project-specific liabilities.

5. External Consortia & Scientific Representation

- Represent the Investigative Toxicology group and Genentech in key external industry, academic, and regulatory consortia (e.g., HESI, IQ Consortium, NC3Rs).
- Spearhead external engagement and publication efforts around the qualification and regulatory adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) within the Neuro and CVRM domains.

Who Are You:

Education/ Experience

- Principal Scientist: Ph.D. with 3-5+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO environments.
- Senior Principal Scientist: Ph.D. with >5+ years of industry experience demonstrating successful safety leadership and cross-functional impact within drug discovery/development project teams.
- Proven track record of operating within a drug discovery/development setting, with demonstrated ability to identify, prioritize, and de-risk rate-limiting liabilities.
- Prior experience working with emerging therapeutic modalities and developing custom preclinical safety strategies.

Technical & Domain Expertise

- Strong mechanistic understanding of safety assessment, cellular pathways, and organ-level physiology relevant to Neuroscience and/or CVRM.
- Working familiarity with advanced in vitro models, microphysiological systems (MPS / organ-on-a-chip), iPSC technologies, high-content phenotypic assays, and multi-omics/transcriptomics.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with computational biologists and predictive modelers to interpret complex datasets.
- Proficiency with statistical and data visualization tools (e.g., GraphPad Prism, Spotfire, JMP, R, or Python).

Leadership & Collaboration

- Demonstrated ability to lead via influence in a matrixed environment, guiding experimental work executed by laboratory technical staff.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to distill complex mechanistic toxicology data into actionable project team recommendations.
- Willingness and ability to represent Genentech authoritatively in external scientific working groups and consortia.

Relocation Assistance benefits are available for this posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of San Franscico, CA is $141,500.00 - 262,900.00 (Principal Scientist) and $173,100.00 - $321,500.00 (Senior Principal Scientist)  Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.  A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.

This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed here:

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants .