Principal Scientist, Computational Biotherapeutics Engineering
Xilio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies with the goal of significantly improving outcomes for people living with cancer without the systemic side effects of current I-O treatments. The company is using its proprietary platform to advance a pipeline of novel, tumor-activated clinical and preclinical I-O molecules that are designed to optimize their therapeutic index by localizing anti-tumor activity within the tumor microenvironment, including tumor-activated cytokines and antibodies (including bispecifics) and immune cell engagers (including tumor-activated cell engagers and tumor-activated effector-enhanced cell engagers). Learn more by visiting www.xiliotx.com and follow us on LinkedIn (Xilio Therapeutics, Inc.)
SUMMARY:
We are seeking a highly motivated protein engineer with extensive computational modeling experience to help us design the next generation of tumor-activated immune-oncology therapies. The successful candidate will leverage structural biology expertise, as well as innovative computational methods to guide the design and optimization of biotherapeutic drug candidates. A solid background in applying machine learning, generative artificial intelligence and molecular modeling approaches to design novel biologic molecules and improve their biophysical and biological properties is required. The ability to work effectively as part of cross-functional teams interfacing across Biologics, Pharmacology and CMC functions is essential.
Job Responsibilities:
- Apply cutting-edge generative AI, machine learning and molecular modeling techniques to help identify novel binders and/or enhance the properties of biologics-based drugs, including target engagement, developability, immunogenicity, and protease specificity.
- Represent group as project team representative and provide communication of project-related needs to Biotherapeutic Engineering (BE) group.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in BE, including protein engineering, computational modeling and data science. Provide scientific and technical inputs to support various projects from early discovery to development.
- Apply state-of-the-art in silico biotherapeutic engineering tools, CCG-MOE or Schrodinger-Maestro and/or others, to design and optimize biologics-based drugs.
- Collaborate closely with Information Technology to maintain a secure and scalable computational infrastructure for protein design.
- Capture detailed scripting and programming-related information in electronic repositories.
Skills, Qualifications, and Requirements:
- PhD in Structural Biology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering or a related field and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant post-graduate experience in industry or academic setting.
- Extensive experience in using generative AI/machine learning algorithms (RFDiffusion, Alphafold, Chroma, etc.) and modeling (homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations) using in silico tools such as MOE, Maestro, NAMD, Schroedinger or VMD, etc. is required.
- Solid experience in applying computational methods to biotherapeutics engineering and optimization with a focus on antibody-based therapeutics is required.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for computational analysis of protein, DNA, and mRNA sequences are required.
- Experience in cloud computing and/or in writing code (SQL, R, python) for data wrangling and analytics is required
- Familiarity with antibody discovery methodologies including in vitro display- and immunization-based methodologies is highly desired
- Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and successfully delivering projects from in silico concepts to in vivo proof of concept is preferred.
- Excellent communication skills to effectively lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with stakeholders is required.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At Xilio Therapeutics, we foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. We will make reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, for qualified individuals with known disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who requires accommodation with the hiring process or to perform any essential functions of the position for which you are applying, please reach out to careers@xiliotx.com.
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