Protai is a tech-bio startup that combines novel AI and structural proteomics to accelerate the structure-based design of induced proximity drugs (PROTACs, RIPTACs, MGDs). Our lead asset, PRT-001, is an oral, selective KAT6A degrader for ER+/HER2− breast cancer, now approaching development-candidate selection.
We are seeking Head of Discovery to run our internal lab and own the experimental science behind our pipeline, from assay design to DC nomination.
What you'll do
Program Leadership: Drive our discovery programs from target nomination through development-candidate selection and IND-enabling studies. Build and run the screening cascade, translate synthesized compounds to go/no-go decisions.
CRO Management: Own the external work for in vivo efficacy, PK/PD, DMPK and IND-enabling studies: planning, review and budget.
Hands-On Science: Work at the bench alongside your team, running experiments and troubleshooting assays first-hand.
Company Leadership: As part of Protai's management team, help steer company strategy and execution.
Education: PhD in immunology, cancer biology, pharmacology, chemistry or a related field. We welcome both biology-led and chemistry-led backgrounds.
Experience: 5+ years beyond your PhD in drug discovery, in industry or an industry-like translational setting, with a track record of advancing a program.
Assay & Program Expertise: Proven, hands-on development and validation of cell-based and biochemical assays, and experience triaging compound series with medicinal chemists in a design-make-test-analyze cycle.
Delivery & Communication: Demonstrated success managing CROs and academic collaborators to milestones, with excellent written and verbal English and the ability to make complex data actionable.