Scientist I, De Novo Discovery and Screening

About Parabilis Medicines 

Parabilis Medicines is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to creating extraordinary medicines for patients with serious diseases by unlocking biologically important targets long considered undruggable. The company has pioneered a new class of alpha-helical peptides – Helicons™ – capable of modulating intracellular proteins that have historically been beyond the reach of conventional medicines. The company’s lead investigational medicine, zolucatetide, is the first and only direct inhibitor of the β-catenin:TCF interaction, a central node in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway that has eluded drug developers for decades. Zolucatetide is being evaluated in the clinic across multiple Wnt/β-catenin-driven diseases, including desmoid tumors, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and a range of other solid tumor indications. Beyond zolucatetide, Parabilis is advancing additional Helicon-based programs focused on other challenging targets where we believe our medicines could have life-altering impact. For more information, visit www.parabilismed.com or follow us on LinkedIn. 

What’s the opportunity?

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to join our Hit Discovery team and contribute to the advancement our Helicon Discovery Platform through the development and application of phage display and mRNA display technologies. This role is ideal for a recent PhD graduate or early-career scientist with a strong foundation in molecular biology, protein engineering, chemical biology, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will contribute to screening campaigns against previously “undruggable” protein targets, support the development and integration of noncanonical amino acids into mRNA display platform, and help innovate and optimize display screening workflows. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment focused on building next-generation discovery capabilities and discovering transformative therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot phage display and mRNA display high-throughput screening campaigns to discover novel binders against challenging protein targets.
• Design, construct, and produce diverse phage and mRNA display libraries using standard and advanced molecular biology techniques, including PCR, cloning, and in vitro transcription/translation workflows.
• Perform and optimize display selections, including library amplification, enrichment, and downstream characterization of hits.
• Analyze screening outputs, including preparation of samples for sequencing and interpretation of sequencing data to guide decision-making.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, workflows, and process improvements, with a particular focus on enhancing the performance, robustness, and scalability of the mRNA display platform.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including data science, biochemistry, and assay development, to advance discovery programs.
• Stay current with relevant literature and emerging screening technologies.

What you’ll need to be successful

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 0-2 years of postdoctoral and/or industry experience.
• Strong foundation in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, cloning, DNA/RNA handling, and DNA library construction.
• Strong biochemical and screening experience; familiarity with display technologies (phage, yeast, ribosome, or mRNA display) is plus.
• Experience with high-throughput screening workflows and laboratory automation is preferred.
• Familiarity with next-generation sequencing workflows and basic data analysis is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute experiments independently, troubleshoot effectively, and interpret complex datasets.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present scientific data.
• Collaborative mindset with a high degree of initiative, curiosity, and enthusiasm for platform innovation and drug discovery.

Core Values

Parabilis Medicines is a team of passionate pioneers who are trailblazing the future of precision medicine with the aim of making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. The company is committed to promoting an inspiring and flourishing working environment for all employees across the business, in all departments, and driving innovation for patient benefit.

• Growth-Minded. We’re inventing a new class of medicines—one applicable to therapeutic targets that have been dreamt about, but always considered impossible to drug. Our work requires us to be curious, humble and adaptable.
• In(ter)dependent. We are fiercely independent as a leader in defying the limitations of current therapeutic modalities, and interdependent as a team as we work collaboratively to shift drug discovery paradigms and provide patients with better treatment options.
• Patient-focused. We are deeply focused on patient outcomes, and all energy in the company is focused on science as it translates to patient impact.
• All-In. We’re All-In on solving some of the hardest scientific challenges and delivering one of the most effective new classes of drugs in history.

The base salary range for this position is $110,000-$130,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and internal practices. Parabilis’s total compensation package also includes an annual target bonus, equity, and a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits designed to support our employees’ overall well-being.

As an equal opportunity employer, Parabilis Medicines values an inclusive workplace and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

30 Acorn Park Drive    |     Cambridge, MA 02140    |    www.parabilismed.com