Scientific Program Manager presso Chai Discovery

About Chai Discovery

Chai Discovery is re-architecting drug discovery by building frontier AI foundation models to design molecules.

The founding Chai team has brought together the leading researchers in this space, with seminal research accomplishments at top AI labs. The team has led AI-for-biology programs at premier labs, co-invented protein language modelling, built state-of-the-art folding algorithms, and sold AI adopted by top-10 pharma companies. The company is backed by top-tier investors, including OpenAI, Thrive Capital, Dimension, Conviction, Lachy Groom, Amplify, and many more.

We’re looking to add a few members to our team of scientists and engineers, who obsess over creating the most powerful AI models for antibody discovery, and turning them into products that can transform how medicines are made.

About the role

We are looking for a scientist-turned-program manager to lead our ever-growing program of lab experiments. Experimental data is key to testing research hypotheses and training frontier AI models for protein design -- you will set the vision for how we scale and optimize our lab-in-the-loop data engine.

You will play a critical role in developing traditional and next-generation biologics at Chai, spanning monoclonals, bispecifics, TCEs, engineered cytokines, multifunctionals, and ADC/DAC formats. You'll help us plan and execute a broad array of design constructs, expression and purification campaigns, and fit-for-purpose assays that read out affinity, specificity, and developability.

This is a chance to push the boundaries of drug discovery by building some of the most advanced AI drug design models ever built. Immerse yourself in the technologies and methods that make this innovation possible.

About you

Our ideal candidate has a strong biologics and therapeutics background. You operate with urgency and are an outstanding scientific communicator. You have experience working with or within CROs, and are an adept project manager.

You have a deep desire to push the limits of what’s possible in therapeutic design and a restless drive to solve real-world problems and iterate quickly. Exposure to startups or other intense environments is essential.

Scientific Background

• PhD or equivalent work experience in Biological Sciences, Protein Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related field

• Experience with design and characterization in antibody-based biologics, ideally across at least one advanced modality (e.g., bispecifics, TCEs, ADCs)

• Able to expertly inspect data, draw sound conclusions (are we making reasonable claims?), and clearly summarize key findings

• Understand molecular-biology workflows for cloning, transient/stable expression (mammalian or yeast), purification, and quality control

• Familiar with binding and developability assays, SPR/BLI, ELISA, flow cytometry, etc.

• Literate with computational biology tools like GraphPad Prism, Python, and R

Execution & Collaboration:

• Proven record of designing experimental plans and managing CRO relationships from SOW through data review

• Able to juggle multiple projects, adapt priorities quickly, and communicate results to colleagues in a tight feedback loop

• Knows how to communicate to internal & external audiences, from research associates to executives

Mindset

• Organized and scrappy

• Detail-oriented and fast-moving

• Flexible

• Proactive

• Ambitious

We offer

• Frontier technology: we’re developing the next frontier of AI-driven drug discovery that will fundamentally change how new therapeutics are created.

• World-class team: opportunity to work with world-renowned leaders in the AI x biology and technology ecosystem who have created some of the most impactful advancements.

• Highly competitive compensation: we offer highly competitive salary, equity package, and healthcare and wellness benefits.

• Velocity and ownership: we move incredibly fast, which means continuous learning and career growth opportunities are a guarantee. Every team member owns a significant slice of the roadmap.

• Strong team culture: Collaborative and supportive startup culture in a small and high-energy team who are guided by our mission to increase the efficiency of creating new medicines and positively impact millions of lives.