Description

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 geographically precise solutions (GPS) platform to build a pipeline of novel, tumor-activated molecules, including cytokines and other biologics, which are designed to optimize their therapeutic index and localize anti-tumor activity within the tumor microenvironment. Xilio is currently advancing multiple programs for tumor-activated I-O treatments in clinical development, as well as programs in preclinical development. Learn more by visiting www.xiliotx.com and follow us on Twitter (@xiliotx) and LinkedIn (Xilio Therapeutics, Inc.)

SUMMARY: 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Scientist in Biotherapeutic Engineering to design and optimize biologics-based drugs, incorporating structural biology expertise as well as innovative computational methods. The successful candidate will have a strong background in structural biology, protein engineering and antibody discovery workflows. A strong background in applying machine learning techniques and molecular modeling to improve the biophysical and biological properties of biotherapeutics is highly desired. The candidate is expected to have expertise in leading cross-functional teams, generating key data, and driving projects from in silico concepts to in vivo proof of concept (PoC).

Job Responsibilities:

• 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.
• Apply modern machine learning and molecular modeling techniques to enhance the properties of biologics-based drugs, including receptor binding, developability, immunogenicity, and protease specificity.
• Lead the development of applications for protein properties calculations, data mining and building data sets to be used in ML based prediction algorithms.
• Use publicly available datasets, TCGA, GTEx, GEO, MEROPS etc., to identify proteins; targets, proteases, and protease substrates to be used in immune-oncology and autoimmunity therapeutic areas utilizing Xilio’s therapeutic platforms.

Requirements

Skills, Qualifications, and Requirements:

• PhD in Structural Biology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering or a related field and a minimum of 7 years of relevant post-graduate experience in industry or academic setting.
• Strong expertise in biotherapeutics engineering, with a focus on computational methods for drug design and optimization is required.
• Expertise in protein design and bioinformatics, including molecular modeling (homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations) using in silico tools such as MOE, Maestro, NAMD, and VMD, etc. is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for computational analysis of protein, DNA, and mRNA sequences is required.
• Demonstrated experience in applying machine learning techniques to improve the properties of biologics-based drugs is desired.
• Proficiency in data sciences and machine learning tools such as R, Python, and SQL is desired.
• Knowledge of various machine learning algorithms (Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Neural Networks, etc.) and experience in data mining using APIs is desired.
• Familiarity with electronic lab notebooks (such as Benchling) for data mining and analysis is 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 leadership and communication skills to effectively lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with stakeholders is required.

Covid-19 Statement

Xilio Therapeutics strongly encourages all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

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 an 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.