Scientist, De Novo Discovery in Cambridge

About Parabilis Medicines

Parabilis Medicines is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to creating extraordinary medicines for patients with serious diseases by unlocking biologically important targets long considered undruggable. The company has pioneered a new class of alpha-helical peptides – Helicons™ – capable of modulating intracellular proteins that have historically been beyond the reach of conventional medicines. The company’s lead investigational medicine, zolucatetide, is the first and only direct inhibitor of the β-catenin:TCF interaction, a central node in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway that has eluded drug developers for decades. Zolucatetide is being evaluated in the clinic across multiple Wnt/β-catenin-driven diseases, including desmoid tumors, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and a range of other solid tumor indications. Beyond zolucatetide, Parabilis is advancing additional Helicon-based programs focused on other challenging targets where we believe our medicines could have life-altering impact.

What’s the opportunity?

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to join our Hit Discovery team, reporting to the Director, De Novo Discovery, and contribute to the advancement of our Helicon Discovery Platform through the development and application of mRNA display and phage display technologies. This role is ideal for a recent PhD graduate or early-career scientist with a strong foundation in chemical biology, molecular biology, protein engineering, biochemistry, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and integration of noncanonical amino acids into the mRNA display platform, lead screening campaigns against previously “undruggable” protein targets and innovate display screening workflows. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment focused on building next-generation discovery capabilities and discovering transformative therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, construct, and produce diverse mRNA display libraries using standard and advanced molecular biology techniques, including PCR, cloning, in vitro transcription/translation workflows, and chemical modification strategies.
• Expand the chemical diversity of mRNA display libraries by incorporating noncanonical amino acids via reprogrammed or orthogonal translation systems.
• Design and execute routine mRNA display and phage display high-throughput screening campaigns to discover novel binders against challenging protein targets.
• Analyze next-generation sequencing data to identify enriched peptide motifs and assess sequence-activity relationships.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, workflows, and process improvements, with a particular focus on enhancing the performance, robustness, and scalability of the mRNA display platform.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including data science, biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry.
• Stay current with relevant literature and emerging screening technologies.

What you’ll need to be successful

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 0-3 years of postdoctoral and/or industry experience.
• Experience with reprogrammed translation systems and genetic-code expansion enabling site-specific incorporations of noncanonical amino acids into high-diversity peptide libraries are preferred.
• Direct hands-on experience with mRNA display, phage display, or a closely related cell-free display technology is desired.
• Strong foundation in chemical and molecular biology techniques, including orthogonal translation systems, cell-free protein synthesis, cloning, DNA library construction.
• Strong biochemistry background and familiarity with next-generation sequencing workflows and data analysis are a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute experiments independently, troubleshoot effectively, and interpret complex datasets.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present scientific data.
• Collaborative mindset with a high degree of initiative, curiosity, and enthusiasm for platform innovation and drug discovery.

Core Values

Parabilis Medicines is a team of passionate pioneers who are trailblazing the future of precision medicine with the aim of making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. The company is committed to promoting an inspiring and flourishing working environment for all employees across the business, in all departments, and driving innovation for patient benefit.

• Growth-Minded. We’re inventing a new class of medicines—one applicable to therapeutic targets that have been dreamt about, but always considered impossible to drug. Our work requires us to be curious, humble and adaptable.
• In(ter)dependent. We are fiercely independent as a leader in defying the limitations of current therapeutic modalities, and interdependent as a team as we work collaboratively to shift drug discovery paradigms and provide patients with better treatment options.
• Patient-focused. We are deeply focused on patient outcomes, and all energy in the company is focused on science as it translates to patient impact.
• All-In. We’re All-In on solving some of the hardest scientific challenges and delivering one of the most effective new classes of drugs in history.

The base salary range for this position is $110,000-$140,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and internal practices. Parabilis’s total compensation package also includes an annual target bonus, equity, and a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits designed to support our employees’ overall well-being. As an equal opportunity employer, Parabilis Medicines values an inclusive workplace and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.