Research Scientist I/II, Bioanalytical Sciences & Assay Development

Iambic Therapeutics
San Diego HQ

Who this role is best for

Bioanalytical scientists with mass spectrometry expertise and automation experience will find this role in drug discovery and AI-driven compound optimization at Iambic Therapeutics in San Diego.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a Ph.D. or M.S. in bioanalytical chemistry and hands-on LC-MS/MS experience
    — “Ph.D. ... with approximately 0–5 years of relevant experience; or an M.S. with significant relevant industry experience.
  • Individuals who can bridge experimental science and AI/ML workflows for drug discovery
    — “generating high-quality data that inform compound optimization and enable rapid design–make–test–learn cycles.
  • Candidates with a track record in developing scalable, high-throughput bioanalytical assays
    — “Develop automated and high-throughput assay workflows to improve capacity, turnaround time, and data quality.

Things to consider

  • The role demands a blend of biochemical and data-driven skills, not just one or the other.
    — “work at the interface of experimental science, automation, and AI-driven molecular design
  • Strong attention to data quality and assay troubleshooting is essential for success.
    — “Strong understanding of quantitative assay design, experimental controls, data quality, and troubleshooting.

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in ASMS and AI integration in your assay development projects.
    — “development and application of MS-based screening approaches for HitID, including Affinity Selection Mass Spectrometry (ASMS)
  • Emphasize your ability to optimize and troubleshoot LC-MS/MS methods for reproducibility.
    — “troubleshoot assay performance, sensitivity, selectivity, matrix effects, and reproducibility.
  • Showcase your history of cross-functional collaboration with medicinal chemistry and computational teams.
    — “Collaborate with biology, screening/HitID, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, and computational/AI teams
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • developed and implemented MS-based assays
  • generated high-quality experimental datasets
  • collaborated with cross-functional teams
Typical background
Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Chemical Biology, Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry

Skills & requirements

Required

Mass SpectrometryBioanalytical ScienceAssay DevelopmentLc-ms/msAdme/dmpkPhysicochemical Property AssaysData QualityScientific Problem-solving

Preferred

ASMSAffinity Selection Mass SpectrometryAutomationAi/ml

Stack & domain

Mass SpectrometryLc-ms/msASMSAffinity Selection Mass SpectrometryBioanalytical ScienceAssay DevelopmentScientific Problem-solvingCollaborationDrug DiscoveryAi/ml-driven Compound DesignMolecular Design

About the role

Original posting from Iambic Therapeutics via Ashby

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist, Bioanalytical Sciences & Assay Development to join our drug discovery team. This scientist will develop and implement mass spectrometry-based assays and bioanalytical workflows supporting Hit Identification (HitID), ADME/DMPK characterization, and physicochemical property assessment. A key focus will be the development and application of MS-based screening approaches for HitID, including Affinity Selection Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) and other MS-based capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in bioanalytical science, mass spectrometry, and assay development, with the ability to develop robust and scalable assays for small-molecule drug discovery. This scientist will work at the interface of experimental science, automation, and AI-driven molecular design, generating high-quality data that inform compound optimization and enable rapid design–make–test–learn cycles. This position will be based in our San Diego Headquarters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and implement MS-based assays and screening workflows for HitID, including ASMS and other MS-based approaches.
  • Develop fit-for-purpose bioanalytical and biochemical assays supporting screening, hit confirmation, and compound characterization.
  • Develop and execute in vitro ADME/DMPK assays, including metabolic stability, permeability, protein binding, and related endpoints.
  • Develop physicochemical property assays, including solubility, logD/lipophilicity, ePSA, and related measurements.
  • Develop and optimize LC-MS/MS bioanalytical methods and troubleshoot assay performance, sensitivity, selectivity, matrix effects, and reproducibility.
  • Develop automated and high-throughput assay workflows to improve capacity, turnaround time, and data quality.
  • Support operation and troubleshooting of MS and LC/MS instrumentation and associated laboratory automation.
  • Generate high-quality experimental datasets that support AI/ML-driven compound design and optimization.
  • Collaborate with biology, screening/HitID, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, and computational/AI teams to design assay strategies and translate experimental results into actionable insights.
  • Evaluate new assay technologies, MS methodologies, automation solutions, and data workflows to expand drug discovery capabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Chemical Biology, Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, with approximately 0–5 years of relevant experience; or an M.S. with significant relevant industry experience.
  • Strong foundation in mass spectrometry, bioanalytical science, and assay development, preferably with hands-on LC-MS/MS experience.
  • Demonstrated experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting bioanalytical, biochemical, or screening assays.
  • Strong understanding of quantitative assay design, experimental controls, data quality, and troubleshooting.
  • Strong scientific problem-solving and collaboration skills, with an interest in connecting experimental data with AI/ML-enabled drug discovery and molecular design.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with MS-based screening or HitID approaches, including ASMS or related technologies, is highly desirable.
  • Experience with in vitro ADME/DMPK and/or physicochemical property assays such as solubility, logD, and ePSA is preferred.
  • Experience with SCIEX, Agilent, Thermo, or comparable MS/LC-MS platforms is desirable.
  • Experience with laboratory automation, high-throughput screening/experimentation, or automated data processing is a plus.

ABOUT IAMBIC THERAPEUTICS

Iambic is a clinical-stage life-science and technology company developing novel medicines using its AI-driven discovery and development platform. Based in San Diego and founded in 2020, Iambic has assembled a world-class team that unites pioneering AI experts and experienced drug hunters. The Iambic platform has demonstrated delivery of new drug candidates to human clinical trials with unprecedented speed and across multiple target classes and mechanisms of action. Iambic is advancing a pipeline of potential best-in-class and first-in-class clinical assets, both internally and in partnership, to address urgent unmet patient need. Learn more about the Iambic team, platform, pipeline, and partnerships at iambic.ai http://iambic.ai.

MISSION & CORE VALUES

Our mission is to deliver better medicines through innovations in AI-based discovery technologies. The culture and work at Iambic Therapeutics are profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our people and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. We are committed to building an inclusive environment where a diverse group of talented humans work together to discover therapeutics and create technologies.

PAY AND BENEFITS

We offer industry leading competitive pay, company paid healthcare, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, 401K matching, and uncapped vacation to our team. We are in a brand-new state-of-the art facility in beautiful San Diego with an onsite gym, dining, and easy access to great places to live and play.

Source: Iambic Therapeutics careers (Ashby)

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