Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist, Induced Proximity
Help shape Nurix’s induced proximity strategy beyond targeted protein degradation. In this hands-on role, you’ll design and run the assays that validate targets, characterize mechanisms and inform go/no-go decisions, working alongside chemistry, biology and biochemistry partners. It’s a chance to grow your scientific, and potentially leadership, experience in a fast-evolving area of drug discovery with direct exposure to platform-level strategy.
Position Description
The Opportunity
- Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a motivated scientist to support and help execute the non-degradative induced proximity research strategy. This individual will contribute hands-on scientific expertise to programs beyond targeted protein degradation, helping advance target validation, mechanism characterization, and candidate optimization efforts. Working closely with the Senior Vice President of Induced Proximity and cross-functional partners in chemistry, biology, and biochemistry, this person will help translate strategic priorities into experimental plans, generate and interpret data that inform go/no-go decisions, and contribute ideas on emerging modalities and technologies worth exploring. This is an opportunity to grow scientific and possibly future leadership experience within a fast-evolving area of drug discovery, with direct exposure to strategic decision-making at the platform level.
- Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments at the bench; building and running biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays to interrogate induced proximity mechanisms and drive program decisions
- Contribute to identification, validation, and prioritization of targets amenable to induced proximity approaches (protein sequestration, gene regulation, stabilizers, and related mechanisms)
- Evaluate and integrate new and emerging induced proximity modalities into the strategic roadmap
- Partner with computational/structural biology to advance rational design and predictive modeling of ternary complex formation
- Present experimental data, interpretations, and recommendations to project teams and executive leadership
- Ensure programs meet key milestones from discovery through candidate nomination and IND-enabling work
- Stay current on the competitive and scientific landscape; publish/present externally to build company visibility as needed
What You’ll Bring
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field
- 5+ years of relevant industry drug discovery experience, including significant direct work on induced proximity modalities (targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, bifunctional degraders, or similar)
- Hands-on biophysical and biochemical assay development to quantify ternary complex formation and cooperativity (e.g. TR-FRET/HTRF, NanoBRET, AlphaLISA, SPR, ITC, MST, and DSF)
- Experience in biochemical assay development of the relevant proximity-induced reaction (e.g. ubiquitination, phosphorylation, acetylation, etc.)
- Cell-based mechanistic pharmacology: Western blot, HiBiT/NanoLuc kinetic readouts, flow cytometry, reporter assays, and dose–response and washout/resynthesis studies to establish on-target mechanism
- Cell line engineering and functional genomics utilizing CRISPR knockout/knock-in, CRISPRa/CRISPRi, and siRNA to validate targets and interrogate effector dependencies
- Target engagement and protein-stability methods: CETSA, NanoBRET target engagement, co-IP/pulldown, and cycloheximide-chase or half-life measurement
- Deep mechanistic understanding of ternary complex biology and cooperativity, the ubiquitin–proteasome and autophagy–lysosomal pathways, non-degradative proximity mechanisms (protein sequestration, stabilization, induced phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, transcriptional regulation), and structure-based drug design
- Rigorous experimental design and quantitative data analysis, including assay qualification and QC (e.g., Z′, dynamic range), curve fitting in GraphPad Prism or equivalent, screening-data handling (Genedata Screener or similar), and disciplined ELN documentation
- Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration (biology, chemistry, DMPK)
- Excellent scientific communication skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph. D. in a relevant scientific field (Biochemistry, Biology, chemical biology, etc.) with 4 or more years of relevant post-graduate industry or academic research experience, or MS with 8 or more years of relevant industry experience.
- Publication record and/or patents in induced proximity or targeted degradation space
- Experience with computational tools for ternary complex prediction or AI/ML-driven drug design
- Familiarity with a broad range of non-degradative modalities beyond classical bifunctional degraders (e.g., glues, LYTACs, AUTACs, MrTACs, RIPTACs, TCIPs, Tracers, DACs)
Salary Range: $162,000 - $175,700 (Senior Scientist), $187,700 - $208,600
The posted range applies to roles based in the San Francisco Bay Area and reflects local market conditions. Where an offer lands within that range depends on the candidate’s relevant experience, technical expertise, and how their background aligns with the role’s requirements.
Location: Onsite – Brisbane, CA
Fit with Nurix Culture and Values
- Ability to work collaboratively across multiple groups within the organization
- Excellent organization and communication with effective presentation skills
- Self-driven and enthusiastic with proficiencies to deliver in a dynamic environment
- Curious mindset with a willingness and flexibility to learn new skills
- High level of creativity and productivity with strong problem-solving skills
About Nurix Therapeutics
Nurix Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted protein degradation medicines, the next frontier in innovative drug design aimed at improving treatment options for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class, and coupled with unparalleled ligase expertise, Nurix’s dedicated team has built a formidable advantage in translating the science of targeted protein degradation into clinical advancements. Nurix aims to establish degrader-based treatments at the forefront of patient care, writing medicine’s next chapter with a new script to outmatch disease.