Principal Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're pleased to share an exciting secondment opportunity at AskBio.

This role is available for a time period to be determined by leadership at both Bayer and AskBio. While most assignments range from one to two years, the exact duration will be based on business needs and mutual agreement.

This secondment offers a unique chance to broaden your experience, expand your knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to AskBio's mission: to advance gene therapy and change the lives of patients around the world.

If you're interested in exploring this opportunity, we encourage you to:

• Speak with your direct manager to discuss your interest and alignment with your development goals.

• Apply directly using the link provided in the posting.

We look forward to seeing how our colleagues continue to grow and make an impact across the Bayer-AskBio partnership.

Our vision: Pioneering science to create transformative molecular medicines.

Our mission: Lead innovative science and drive clinical outcomes to transform people's lives.

Our principles:

Position Summary

AskBio is seeking a highly accomplished, innovative, and collaborative Principal Scientist to lead capsid discovery and development efforts within the Delivery group in R&D. This role is responsible for advancing nextgeneration AAV capsid technologies that support AskBio's pre-clinical and clinical gene therapy pipeline.

The Principal Scientist will operate as a scientific leader and people leader, providing strategic and technical direction for capsid library design, screening, and characterization efforts. The ideal candidate will have deep handson experience with AAV capsid library screening methodologies, AAV production, and associated molecular and NGSbased workflows, and will demonstrate the ability to think independently, generate new scientific ideas, and translate complex experimental and analytical data into actionable program decisions.

Working closely with crossfunctional partners-including bioinformatics, vector biology, translational, and therapeutic teams-the Principal Scientist will oversee multiple highimpact projects, provide scientific ownership of integrated biologyanddata workflows, and contribute to the longterm evolution of AskBio's capsid and delivery platforms. The role is based in Research Triangle Park, NC.

About You

• You are a highly independent scientific thinker who thrives in ambiguity and can take an abstract biological or technical question and turn it into a clear, executable experimental strategy.

• You consistently generate new ideas and approaches, challenge assumptions, and look beyond established methods to advance capsid and delivery technologies.

• You operate as a goto expert in your domain, influencing decisions through data quality, clarity of thinking, and scientific judgment.

• You have experience leading people and thrive in cross-functional teams, leading without detailed instruction and able to balance strategic vision with hands-on scientific depth.

• You are technically competent in lab-based research and willing to jump in when needed.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for capsid discovery and optimization efforts, overseeing multiple highimpact projects aligned with AskBio's R&D and delivery platform objectives

• Provide line and/or matrix leadership to scientists and research staff, including mentoring, scientific coaching, performance feedback, and development of scientific and leadership capabilities

• Define and drive innovative capsid screening and characterization strategies, independently conceiving new experimental approaches to improve transduction, specificity, and translational relevance

• Ensure rigorous scientific oversight of capsid library screening campaigns, including experimental design, data interpretation, and translation of results into clear candidateselection recommendations

• Provide scientific ownership of integrated biology and data workflows, guiding bioinformatics and NGS analyses to ensure alignment with biological questions and delivery goals

• Provide technical and organizational oversight for AAV production needs within the Delivery group, ensuring production, purification, QC, and comparability of researchgrade AAV for capsid libraries, pools, and lead candidates

• Own scientific direction, priorities, timelines, and decisionmaking across multiple capsidfocused workstreams, proactively identifying risks and driving solutions to ensure timely delivery

• Set and uphold scientific standards and best practices across the group, including expectations for experimental rigor, data quality, and reproducibility

• Partner closely with crossfunctional teams (bioinformatics, product development, translational medicine, manufacturing and early stage product teams) to ensure alignment, integration, and impact of capsid delivery efforts. Operate as Delivery lead within EPTs

Minimum Requirements

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Virology, Biotechnology, Gene Therapy, or related discipline with 8+ years of relevant experience (may include postdoctoral training)

• Demonstrated handson experience with AAV capsid library screening, including pooled or barcoded libraries and NGSbased analysis

• Demonstrated experience in leading others in direct line management or matrix style roles

• Demonstrated understanding of bioinformatics and data analysis workflows that support library discovery

• Strong experience in AAV production, purification, and QC supporting discovery and preclinical research

• Proven experience leading complex scientific projects with broad scope and minimal daytoday supervision

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

• Experience with in vivo capsid selection, biodistribution studies, and tissuelevel analysis

• Experience developing lead candidates in the context of therapeutic indications

• Experience with CNS capsid discovery, in addition to other tissue targets

• Experience with non-viral modalities

• Familiarity working closely with bioinformatics teams for analysis and interpretation of large NGS datasets

• Track record of mentoring scientists and building strong, highperforming teams

• Experience contributing to capsid, vector, or delivery platform strategy in a gene therapy or advanced R&D setting

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences and influence crossfunctional stakeholders

AskBio Inc. (AskBio) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid jobrelated requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening by calling us at (919) 561-6210 or sending us an email at talent@askbio.com.