Senior Scientist, Oncology Target ID & Validation

Company Summary:

ProFound™ Therapeutics is a biotechnology company discovering novel proteins across the expanded human proteome to unlock first-in-class medicines and transformative drug targets. The company’s proprietary ProFoundry™ Platform integrates state-of-the-art protein detection, validation, and computational technologies to systematically identify and characterize previously inaccessible proteins and validate their therapeutic potential. This approach has generated a rapidly expanding portfolio of novel targets and programs advancing toward the clinic, along with strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical partners. Together, these efforts support the development of breakthrough treatments across a broad range of disease areas. For more information, please visit www.profoundtx.com.

Position Summary:

ProFound Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our Oncology team, focused on target identification and validation. This is an early PhD–level, hands-on, individual contributor role, well suited for a scientist a few years out of postdoctoral training with some prior oncology industry experience.

The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying and validating novel cancer targets by combining functional genomics, cell-based assays, and mechanistic biology. This role requires a strong foundation in cancer biology, excellent experimental execution, and the ability to work collaboratively across discovery, computational biology, and chemistry interfaces.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and help prioritize novel oncology targets using functional genomics approaches (e.g., CRISPR-based perturbation) and analysis of large-scale proprietary and public datasets.
• Design and execute in vitro target validation studies, including target modulation, knockdown/knockout, and mechanistic experiments.
• Perform and interpret molecular and cellular assays to assess target function (e.g., Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA).
• Develop robust cell-based assays to evaluate potency, selectivity, and mechanism of action (MoA) in support of early discovery programs.
• Contribute to in vitro pharmacology efforts, including assay development and data interpretation to inform target quality and tractability.
• Collaborate closely with computational biology colleagues to integrate genomic, transcriptomic, and functional screening data into experimental design and biological interpretation.
• Interface with medicinal chemistry partners as needed to support screening activities and early discovery efforts, including familiarity with compound library screening concepts and assay requirements.
• Support and help manage work conducted at external CROs, including experimental planning, data review, and routine scientific communication.
• Maintain rigorous experimental documentation, data organization, and reporting in electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Present data clearly and effectively in team meetings and cross-functional forums.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.
• Several years of postdoctoral training, with some prior industry experience in oncology research strongly preferred.
• Strong foundation in cancer biology and experience designing and executing in vitro target identification and validation studies.
• Hands-on experience with functional genomics approaches, including CRISPR-based gene perturbation.
• Proficiency in molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, cell-based assays).
• Experience developing and running cell-based assays for target validation or pharmacology applications.
• Familiarity with large-scale biological datasets and comfort collaborating with computational scientists.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to excellent record keeping and data integrity.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with or managing external CROs.
• Familiarity with compound library screening concepts and workflows, and comfort interacting with medicinal chemistry teams.
• Experience in early-stage biotech or drug discovery environments.

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING:

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  

Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.