Senior Principal Scientist

Company Description

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States focused on bringing transformative medicines for oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders to patients in China and around the world. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health worldwide.

Founded in 2014, our experienced team has secured partnerships with leading global biopharmaceutical  companies, generating a broad and late-stage pipeline of innovative drug candidates. Based on our proven  track record of  success, Zai Lab has earned the reputation as a trusted partner of choice for global biopharmaceutical companies seeking to not only access the Chinese market but also find a long-term strategic partner for global clinical development.  Our unique business model builds on our in-licensed assets and innovative partnerships to expand our internal discovery and development capabilities and has created a portfolio of potential best-in-class and/or first-in-class therapies. Zai currently has four products on the market in China

Zai Lab was successfully listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in September 2017 and completed secondary listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in September 2020. In 2022, Zai Lab became dual-primary listed on both the Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. Since its inception, Zai Lab has expanded significantly with several offices across China. In 2021, Zai Lab established its U.S. Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  As of January 2022, the Company has a global team of approximately 2000 employees.

Job Description

This Senior Principal Scientist will have a unique opportunity to support immunology and immuno-oncology efforts from target identification through development and IND filing. He or she will provide scientific expertise and design and execute experiments to understand mechanism of action and biology rationale to guide advancing our first-in-class and best-in-class antibody therapeutics to the clinic. This role will also summarize these findings in reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, this role will support the BD team in evaluating in-license and partnership opportunities. This position reports to the Executive Director, Preclinical Research and will be based in our office in San Diego, California.

• Design and execute experiments for biologics programs, collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance biologics candidates toward human clinical trials.
• Prepare technical reports on studies, contribute to IND package preparation, draft publications, and present scientific findings at internal and external meetings.
• Contribute to scientific efforts for target identification and validation in biologics discovery.
• Identify and incorporate innovative technologies to enhance the assessment of mechanisms of action studies.
• Ensure the timely delivery of comprehensive data sets to support critical decision-making processes.
• Maintain high-quality research standards externally at CROs, providing flexible guidance to ensure productivity.
• Collaborate with the business development team to identify high-value in-licensing and collaboration opportunities for both biologics and small molecule opportunities in the immunology and immuno-oncology fields.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• PhD in Immunology, Biology, Biochemistry, Cellular Biology, or a related field.
• Postdoctoral training with 5 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, supporting programs in immunology and/or oncology; or an equivalent combination of advanced education, training, and experience.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple time zones.

PREFERRED

• Up-to-date knowledge of immunology research, including drug discovery and development, with a focus on biologics discovery and the use of in vitro and in vivo models to assess biological activity.
• Demonstrated success in supporting drug development programs from discovery to clinical trials.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for effective interaction with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional teamwork, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Experience with IND writing and filing a plus.
• Demonstrates the highest personal values and ethical standards.

Additional Information

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $176K and $205K/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

At Zai, we are proud of the gender diversity of our company and our promotion of women in biotech. We have achieved gender base pay equity at all levels, 58% of our employees are women and 54% of our management positions are held by women. We are committed to the health of patients and our planet. That’s why our environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance strategy, called “Trust for Life” is integrated within our business.

Disclaimer: This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirement for the position. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability.

Zai Lab is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the information we collect and to being transparent about the purposes for which we use your information. We have a Privacy Notice which sets forth our policies and practices for handling the information we collect and use in the employment context.  Privacy Notice available upon request.