Job Description: Staff Scientist I, Discovery Biology
The Discovery Biology team at Protagonist Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Staff Scientist for a full-time research laboratory position. The individual is expected to perform a variety of diverse laboratory activities, including assay development (cell-based assays), biomarker identification, quantification, and interpretation (PD, efficacy), as well as understanding of structure-activity relationships (SAR). They are also expected to possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. This role requires working collaboratively within the team structure (departmental and program team) to support multiple research programs from preclinical discovery to clinical development.

Key responsibilities:

• Scientific role, in the areas of metabolic and hematological disease
• Hands-on benchwork for assay development and optimization for high-throughput compound screening using cell-based assays (reporter assays, ELISA/MSD, flow cytometry, etc.). Experience working with 96- and 384-well plate formats
• Design and perform experiments toward understanding the target biology, SAR, and drug mechanism of action
• Analyze, QC, interpret, summarize, and communicate scientific data to the project team in a timely manner
• Maintain lab-notebooks (electronic) to industry standards, including recording protocols/SOPs followed, raw data and analysis
• Lead and/or assist in writing and revising technical documents including testing protocols/SOPs and data reports, per industry standards
• Guide junior scientists and work collaboratively within biology group and other functional groups in discovery team
• Support data management, reagent & sample inventories, and cell line maintenance, as per needs of the project
• Ensure reagents, instruments, processes are up-to-date and meet the industry standard

Qualifications:

• PhD (with ~1-2 years of industry experience) or MS (with >5 years of industry experience) in Bioengineering, Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related fields
• Prior experience and understanding in the area of metabolic disease, hematological disease, muscle function and/or related areas is preferable
• Proficiency in the following techniques and related instrumentation: assay development (reporter/plate-based, MSD, ELISA), tissue culture with cell lines and/or primary cells, and spectral flow cytometry. Preferred experience with sample automation
• Experience with handling tissue samples from pre-clinical models, blood-based and primary cell-based experiments, and experience in cell line development, is preferable
• Proficiency with software such as GraphPad Prism, flow cytometry software and Microsoft Office, for data analysis, figure generation, data management
• Attention to detail with excellent organizational and time management skills. Need to be able to independently QC and interpret data, and organize and manage large datasets
• Ability to develop new skillsets and knowledge will be necessary to successfully support assigned projects
• Capability to work independently and simultaneously on multiple tasks. Self-driven and takes initiative to support department and project goals
• Ability to interact effectively with team members and function collaboratively in a highly productive, dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $118K and $125K / year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Protagonist Therapeutics is a discovery through late-stage development biopharmaceutical company. Two novel peptides, icotrokinra and rusfertide, derived from Protagonist’s proprietary discovery platform are currently in advanced Phase 3 clinical development, with New Drug Application submissions to the FDA expected in 2025. Icotrokinra (JNJ-2113) is a first-in-class investigational targeted oral peptide that selectively blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor ("IL-23R") which is licensed to Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company. Following icotrokinra’s joint discovery by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists pursuant to the companies’ IL-23R collaboration, Protagonist was primarily responsible for development of icotrokinra through Phase 1, with Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for development in Phase 2 and beyond. Rusfertide, a mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin, is currently in Phase 3 development for the rare blood disorder polycythemia vera (PV). Rusfertide is being co-developed and will be co-commercialized with Takeda Pharmaceuticals pursuant to a worldwide collaboration and license agreement entered into in 2024 under which the Company remains primarily responsible for development through NDA filing. The Company also has a number of pre-clinical stage oral drug discovery programs addressing clinically and commercially validated targets, including the IL-17 oral peptide antagonist PN-881, an oral hepcidin program, and an oral obesity program.

• Scientific role, in the areas of metabolic and hematological disease
• Hands-on benchwork for assay development and optimization for high-throughput compound screening using cell-based assays (reporter assays, ELISA/MSD, flow cytometry, etc.). Experience working with 96- and 384-well plate formats
• Design and perform experiments toward understanding the target biology, SAR, and drug mechanism of action
• Analyze, QC, interpret, summarize, and communicate scientific data to the project team in a timely manner
• Maintain lab-notebooks (electronic) to industry standards, including recording protocols/SOPs followed, raw data and analysis
• Lead and/or assist in writing and revising technical documents including testing protocols/SOPs and data reports, per industry standards
• Guide junior scientists and work collaboratively within biology group and other functional groups in discovery team
• Support data management, reagent & sample inventories, and cell line maintenance, as per needs of the project
• Ensure reagents, instruments, processes are up-to-date and meet the industry standar