Senior Immunologist/Biologist

The Company

Tupos Therapeutics is led by a seasoned team of drug hunters and developers with a proven track record of advancing transformative therapies. Our collective experience includes the discovery and development of first-in-class medicines such as vemurafenib and pexidartinib, along with multiple clinical-stage programs across diverse indications.

Our founding team helped pioneer a paradigm-shifting approach to small molecule drug discovery—anchoring structure-based drug design in the discovery and validation of novel chemical scaffolds, an innovation widely recognized as a major contribution to the field. At Tupos, we extend this legacy by integrating cutting-edge computational chemistry, machine learning and advanced chemical toolkits. This multifaceted approach allows us to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and accelerate the path from program initiation to clinical entry. Headquartered near the geographic center of the San Francisco Bay Area—with an easy commute from the Peninsula, East Bay, and South Bay—Tupos is advancing a pipeline of novel therapies that target key immunological pathways—driven by a robust discovery platform and deep domain expertise.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Immunologist/Biologist with industry experience to join our growing R&D team. This is a unique opportunity to shape scientific strategy and help lay the foundation for future clinical success in a dynamic startup environment. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of immunology, strong experimental and analytical skills, and a hands-on approach to scientific problem-solving. You will play a central role in characterizing immune mechanisms, demonstrating biological differentiation, addressing key translational questions, and advancing breakthrough therapies to patients in need.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and scientific leadership in immunology to guide the discovery and early development of novel therapeutics targeting immune-related pathways.
• Design, execute, and interpret complex in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo studies to screen compounds, elucidate mechanisms of action, assess pharmacodynamic responses, and support candidate selection.
• Formulate and refine mechanistic hypotheses related to immune modulation, driving the development of differentiated therapeutic strategies.
• Evaluate and select disease-relevant models and biomarker approaches to support translational planning and clinical readiness.
• Lead cross-functional discovery efforts in close collaboration with medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and clinical development to advance programs through key milestones.
• Represent the immunology function in internal governance forums and external partnerships, contributing to program prioritization and portfolio strategy.
• Author and deliver high-quality scientific communications, including internal reports, regulatory submissions, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

Qualifications

• PhD. in Immunology or a related field, with 6+ years of relevant experience in a biopharma or biotechnology setting; experience in early drug discovery is strongly preferred.
• Deep expertise in immunology, with a strong understanding of immune signaling pathways, disease mechanisms, and immune modulation strategies.
• Demonstrated success in designing and interpreting in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo studies to support target validation, mechanism-of-action, and biomarker development.
• Experience with a range of immunological assays (e.g., flow cytometry, cytokine profiling, cell co-culture systems) and disease-relevant models.
• Proven track record of advancing immunology-focused programs through early discovery to development candidate nomination.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing or guiding scientific teams and external collaborators.
• Effective cross-functional collaborator with the ability to influence decision-making across disciplines including chemistry, translational science, and clinical development.
• Excellent scientific communication skills, with experience presenting at internal governance meetings, external conferences, and contributing to peer-reviewed publications.

Benefits and Pay

The expected salary range for this position is $150,000 - $220,000. We encourage candidates of all levels to apply as there is sometimes flexibility on job level and responsibilities. Compensation and title will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This position is also eligible for an annual bonus, equity, paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-subsidized medical, dental, and vision plans, and 401(K) matching. Employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Tupos Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

To all recruitment agencies: Tupos Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or to Tupos Therapeutics employees. Tupos is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.