Senior Scientist, EDDC

A*STAR RESEARCH ENTITIESSingaporemycareersfuturepublished 10/15/2026
Must-have:AISeniorLeadPrincipal

At Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), we are dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapeutics through close collaboration with public sector institutions and industry partners. Drug discovery is a complex and resource-intensive journey, and we harness AI and data-driven strategies to improve the success rate of our programs. As part of our long-term strategy, we initiate projects where confidence in the therapeutic targets is strengthened by insights from patient-derived datasets. Like many biotech and pharmaceutical companies that are expanding into inflammation and immunology (I&I) disease areas, our approach reflects this growing trend and aims to deliver innovative solutions to address significant unmet medical needs in this area.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist to join our I&I discovery group. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in immunology, molecular biology, and translational research. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the team working on the discovery of novel therapeutics and engaging in preclinical drug development from target exploration to drug candidate selection within the I&I therapeutic space.

Long Description

Principal Roles & Responsibilities

  • Drive end-to-end drug discovery programs in immunology, from target identification through preclinical development, serving as a scientific program lead and key decision-maker.
  • Lead and integrate cross-functional efforts across medicinal chemistry, antibody technologies, in vivo pharmacology, computational biology, and translational sciences to advance programs toward clinical readiness .
  • Provide scientific and program leadership in identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets, with a strong emphasis on translational relevance in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
  • Synthesize complex datasets into clear, actionable insights , and communicate program strategy, progress, and risks effectively to internal leadership and external stakeholders (including pharma partners, biotech collaborators, and investors/VCs).
  • Represent programs in external engagements , confidently articulating scientific rationale, differentiation, and value proposition.
  • Guide experimental strategy where appropriate (e.g., cell-based assays, immune profiling, functional validation), while maintaining a focus on program-level impact beyond experimental execution .
  • Evaluate and shape external collaborations and partnerships , contributing scientific diligence and strategic alignment.
  • Mentor scientists and foster a high-performance, delivery-oriented culture , with emphasis on scientific rigor, clarity of thinking, and communication.

Long Description

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field, with 8–12+ years of experience , including significant time in biotech or pharmaceutical settings.
  • Demonstrated track record of leading drug discovery programs (or equivalent) with clear examples of progression across key stages of the pipeline.
  • Deep expertise in immunology, including immune cell biology, cytokine signalling, and autoimmune disease biology.
  • Strong understanding of translational science and preclinical-to-clinical strategy , including use and limitations of disease models.
  • Experience working with primary human systems (e.g., PBMCs), and familiarity with mechanisms related to immune regulation and resolution .
  • Exceptional communication and storytelling skills , with the ability to influence diverse audiences from technical teams to senior executives and external stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to operate at both strategic and executional levels , balancing big-picture thinking with data-driven decision making.
  • Strong leadership presence, with the ability to align teams, drive decisions, and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

Long Description

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience as a Program Lead (or equivalent) in pharma/biotech, with exposure to portfolio governance and milestone-driven development.
  • Experience engaging with external stakeholders (e.g., BD partners, investors, or senior industry leaders).
  • Familiarity with multi-omics approaches and data integration to support target discovery and validation.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.