Job Description

Senior Scientist Biophysics

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, self-starter, and highly motivated Biophysics Senior Scientists to join our San Diego team to deliver high-quality results and drive small molecule drug discovery. In this role, you will be a key contributor to our small‑molecule discovery engine, designing and executing biophysical strategies that identify high‑quality hits, elucidate mechanisms of action, and accelerate lead optimization. You will work at the center of multidisciplinary project teams, partnering closely with chemistry, biology, and lead discovery to advance programs toward development candidates. The successful candidate will propose, design, and implement new biophysical assays and hit ID approaches (ie. SPR, MST, DSF, NMR), characterize protein-small molecule and protein-protein interactions, and uncover mechanistic insights of our drug discovery targets and lead molecules. You will provide expert interpretation of biophysical results and use data analysis and visualization tools to integrate data with the broader set of data generated at Treeline to drive program decisions.

Responsibilities

• Propose, design, develop, and execute biophysical assays to support hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization activities.
• Establish robust SPR assays for small‑molecule interaction analysis, including hit triage, affinity/kinetic characterization, and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Efficiently utilize a suite of biophysical techniques to advance drug discovery: primarily SPR but also including DSF, DLS, and others through in-house and CRO capabilities.
• Employ biophysical methods to mechanistically deconvolute the molecular mechanism of action of small molecule hits.
• Effectively analyze, interpret, and communicate biophysical data as a subject matter expert and biophysics representative on project teams.
• In collaboration with chemistry, biology, lead discovery, and medicine design, characterize and establish SAR to rapidly drive the hit-to-lead process.
• Propose and evaluate new approaches and technologies.
• Provide scientific leadership, mentorship, and cross-functional partnership within a dynamic matrixed environment.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Biology or related discipline with 2-3 years of relevant postdoctoral training.
• 4+ years of biotech/pharma experience with a demonstrated impact in hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization for small-molecule programs.
• Expertise in quantitative biophysical assay development, especially SPR for small‑molecule drug discovery. Hands-on experience characterizing protein–ligand interactions, including affinity, kinetics, stoichiometry, and mechanism.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of an array of biophysical methods with proven hands-on expertise applying biophysics for interaction analysis. Expertise with MST/SS, DSF, MS, or NMR are a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex assays, work with challenging proteins, and deliver high‑quality, reproducible data.
• Excellent communication, data visualization, and interpersonal skills, with a track record of effective collaboration on multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to lead in a matrix environment, and for example, act as point of contact on project teams.
• Experience with fragment-based lead discovery, covalent lead discovery, and DEL are a plus.
• Strong hands-on biochemistry experience or expertise in enzymology.
• Working knowledge of adjacent disciplines (biochemistry, structural biology, protein purification, biology, chemistry).
• Experience in working with challenging proteins.
• Experience working with CROs.

This position is classified as exempt. The anticipated annual base salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego is $151,694 to $174,363. The final base salary offered to the successful candidate will be dependent upon several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, education, and other factors. Treeline Biosciences is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other cities or states.

Recruitment fraud statement

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Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters)

The Human Resources team manages the recruitment and employment process for Treeline Biosciences. To protect the interests of all parties involved, Treeline Biosciences will only accept resumes from a recruiter if an executed search agreement directed to the particular position or positions is in place at the start of the recruitment effort. Unsolicited resumes sent to Treeline Biosciences from recruiters do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter and Treeline Biosciences and do not obligate Treeline Biosciences in any way to pay fees should we hire from those resumes. Recruiters are requested not to contact or present candidates directly to our hiring manager or employees.