Head of Discovery

Description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.