Principal Scientist
Planet Pharma, Boston, MA, United States
Principal Scientist, ADC Cellular Trafficking and Transporter Biology
Compensation (Target Range)
Base Salary: ~ $160,000
Bonus Target: 17.5%
Equity participation included
Overview
We are seeking an accomplished and highly driven Principal Scientist to lead bench-facing efforts in the in-depth characterization of lysosomal trafficking and internalization dynamics of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
This is a highly lab-facing leadership role combining hands-on experimental execution with scientific strategy, assay development, and team mentorship. The ideal candidate will serve as a subject-matter expert in confocal imaging, intracellular trafficking, and ADC mechanism-of-action biology, while helping build and scale a growing cellular assay capability.
A strong benchmark for this role is a scientist with deep expertise in ADC internalization and lysosomal trafficking biology.
Scientific Focus
This role centers on understanding how ADCs function as a “Trojan Horse” system:
ADC binding and internalization into cancer cells
Endosomal trafficking and intracellular routing
Delivery to lysosomes (“cellular stomach”)
Lysosomal processing and payload release to induce tumor cell death
Key biological areas:
Endocytosis and receptor-mediated internalization
Lysosomal trafficking and degradation pathways
Endosomal/microsomal transport biology
Proteolysis and lysosomal enzyme activity (e.g., Cathepsin B)
Cellular degradation mechanisms and trafficking dynamics
Key Responsibilities
Scientific Leadership
Lead development of cell-based assays to evaluate ADC internalization and lysosomal trafficking across multiple programs
Serve as confocal microscopy and high-content imaging subject-matter expert
Act as a key scientific thought partner across biology, discovery, and translational teams
Support lab operations including equipment oversight and reagent management
Assay Development & Execution
Design and execute imaging-based cellular assays for ADC mechanism-of-action studies
Develop and optimize confocal and high-content imaging workflows
Build scalable, high-throughput assay platforms as programs progress
Maintain strong hands-on bench presence (~50% lab work expected)
Data Analysis & Communication
Analyze complex imaging and cellular datasets and translate into actionable insights
Generate figures, data packages, and presentations for internal and external use
Contribute to scientific documentation and potential publication efforts
Team Leadership & Mentorship
Mentor and develop junior scientists in assay development and imaging biology
Establish laboratory best practices, assay standards, and data quality expectations
Foster a collaborative, rigorous, and high-accountability lab culture
Qualifications
Education & Experience
PhD in Pharmacology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field with 4+ years industry experience
OR
MS with 8+ years of relevant industry experience
Strong preference for candidates with industry experience in biologics or antibody-based therapeutics
Technical Expertise
Deep expertise in lysosomal trafficking and intracellular transport biology
Strong experience with ADCs or related antibody-based modalities
Confocal microscopy and high-content imaging expertise (must be confirmed, even if not listed on resume)
Experience with cellular assays including:
Internalization assays (e.g., pHrodo, fluorescence-based systems)
Mechanism-of-action studies
Cytotoxicity and functional cell-based assays
Experience with high-throughput or scalable assay development preferred
Flow cytometry experience is a plus
Exposure to emerging modalities such as:
LYTACs (Lysosome-Targeting Chimeras)
AbTACs
Bispecific antibodies
Antibody-siRNA conjugates
Scientific & Professional Skills
Strong experimental design and troubleshooting capabilities
Ability to independently drive complex mechanistic studies
Strong data analysis and visualization skills
Excellent communication skills across technical and leadership audiences
Proven leadership, mentorship, and lab ownership experience
Preferred Experience Signals
Candidates with experience in:
ADC-focused biotech or pharma environments
Cell trafficking, endocytosis, or lysosomal biology programs
High-content imaging platforms in industry settings
Small to mid-sized biotech companies
Cell-based mechanism-of-action assay development
Compensation (Target Range)
Base Salary: ~ $160,000
Bonus Target: 17.5%
Equity participation included
Overview
We are seeking an accomplished and highly driven Principal Scientist to lead bench-facing efforts in the in-depth characterization of lysosomal trafficking and internalization dynamics of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
This is a highly lab-facing leadership role combining hands-on experimental execution with scientific strategy, assay development, and team mentorship. The ideal candidate will serve as a subject-matter expert in confocal imaging, intracellular trafficking, and ADC mechanism-of-action biology, while helping build and scale a growing cellular assay capability.
A strong benchmark for this role is a scientist with deep expertise in ADC internalization and lysosomal trafficking biology.
Scientific Focus
This role centers on understanding how ADCs function as a “Trojan Horse” system:
ADC binding and internalization into cancer cells
Endosomal trafficking and intracellular routing
Delivery to lysosomes (“cellular stomach”)
Lysosomal processing and payload release to induce tumor cell death
Key biological areas:
Endocytosis and receptor-mediated internalization
Lysosomal trafficking and degradation pathways
Endosomal/microsomal transport biology
Proteolysis and lysosomal enzyme activity (e.g., Cathepsin B)
Cellular degradation mechanisms and trafficking dynamics
Key Responsibilities
Scientific Leadership
Lead development of cell-based assays to evaluate ADC internalization and lysosomal trafficking across multiple programs
Serve as confocal microscopy and high-content imaging subject-matter expert
Act as a key scientific thought partner across biology, discovery, and translational teams
Support lab operations including equipment oversight and reagent management
Assay Development & Execution
Design and execute imaging-based cellular assays for ADC mechanism-of-action studies
Develop and optimize confocal and high-content imaging workflows
Build scalable, high-throughput assay platforms as programs progress
Maintain strong hands-on bench presence (~50% lab work expected)
Data Analysis & Communication
Analyze complex imaging and cellular datasets and translate into actionable insights
Generate figures, data packages, and presentations for internal and external use
Contribute to scientific documentation and potential publication efforts
Team Leadership & Mentorship
Mentor and develop junior scientists in assay development and imaging biology
Establish laboratory best practices, assay standards, and data quality expectations
Foster a collaborative, rigorous, and high-accountability lab culture
Qualifications
Education & Experience
PhD in Pharmacology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field with 4+ years industry experience
OR
MS with 8+ years of relevant industry experience
Strong preference for candidates with industry experience in biologics or antibody-based therapeutics
Technical Expertise
Deep expertise in lysosomal trafficking and intracellular transport biology
Strong experience with ADCs or related antibody-based modalities
Confocal microscopy and high-content imaging expertise (must be confirmed, even if not listed on resume)
Experience with cellular assays including:
Internalization assays (e.g., pHrodo, fluorescence-based systems)
Mechanism-of-action studies
Cytotoxicity and functional cell-based assays
Experience with high-throughput or scalable assay development preferred
Flow cytometry experience is a plus
Exposure to emerging modalities such as:
LYTACs (Lysosome-Targeting Chimeras)
AbTACs
Bispecific antibodies
Antibody-siRNA conjugates
Scientific & Professional Skills
Strong experimental design and troubleshooting capabilities
Ability to independently drive complex mechanistic studies
Strong data analysis and visualization skills
Excellent communication skills across technical and leadership audiences
Proven leadership, mentorship, and lab ownership experience
Preferred Experience Signals
Candidates with experience in:
ADC-focused biotech or pharma environments
Cell trafficking, endocytosis, or lysosomal biology programs
High-content imaging platforms in industry settings
Small to mid-sized biotech companies
Cell-based mechanism-of-action assay development