Principal Scientist (all geneders) - Antibody Lead Discovery (Wuppertal-Aprath, North Rhine Westfalia, DE)
About this opportunity
At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where ,Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.
Principal Scientist (all geneders) - Antibody Lead Discovery
Do you feel inspired by pushing the boundaries of drug discovery to develop transformative medicines for patients ? In this role, you drive the discovery and optimization of innovative antibody drug candidates and take shared ownership for project goals across the discovery process. As a scientific and project leader, you collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and apply modern technologies such as AI/machine learning and structural biology. If you thrive in self-organized teams and enjoy accountability across the value chain, we look forward to your application.
YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Share responsibility and ownership for project and development candidate goals throughout the discovery process as a cross-functional team member and project leader
Provide innovative biologics solutions to address unmet needs and act as an expert for project teams to design differentiated drugs
Lead and guide antibody generation and optimization to develop new, potent, innovative leads aligned with the target product profile, and initiate drug discovery projects
Apply fit-for-purpose AI/machine learning and structural biology tools for lead generation and optimization
Bring state-of-the-art approaches to antibody lead discovery, design, and optimization using internal capabilities and/or CROs
Manage CRO work packages and external collaborations
Collaborate efficiently with other research units (e.g., disease area discovery units) on screening, characterization, selection, and structured data exchange for effective decision-making
Communicate results to cross-functional stakeholders through concise reports, visualizations, and presentations; generate and secure intellectual property and ensure safety/compliance and efficient resource management
WHO YOU ARE
Hold a PhD in biochemistry, immunology, biotechnology, or a related field
Bring long-term professional experience in biologics drug discovery with strong knowledge of the field and industry practices
Demonstrate a solid understanding of hit-to-lead and lead optimization up to a preclinical development candidate, including bispecific antibody development
Proven scientific and project leadership skills in cross-functional research environments
Experience developing biologics in one or more of the following areas: cardiovascular/renal, oncology, or immunology
Sound understanding of the research landscape and market understanding
Strong knowledge of antibody discovery processes and cutting edge technologies including innovative tools such as Ai/Machine Learning and large dataset analysis
Excellent problem-solving skills; strong communication and negotiation abilities; intercultural skills and team orientation
Fluency in English, both written and spoken; German language skills are a plus
WHAT WE OFFER
Our benefits package is flexible, appreciative, and tailored to your lifestyle, because: What matters to you, matters to us!
We ensure your financial stability with a competitive salary between 104.300€ and 126.500€ per year (full-time) plus a variable component. Your compensation is based on your qualifications, skills, and professional experience.
Whether it’s hybrid work models or part-time arrangements: Whenever it is possible, you will have the flexibility to work how, when and where it is best for you.
Your family is a top priority. We offer loving company daycare centers at multiple locations, support in finding childcare, time off for the care of elderly or dependent family members, summer camps for children, and much more.
We support your professional growth by providing access to learning and development opportunities, training programs through the Bayer Learning Academy, development dialogues, as well as coaching and mentoring programs.
We promote health awareness and opportunities for selfcare through various measures, such as free health checks with the company doctor.
We embrace diversity by providing an inclusive work environment in which you are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.
YOUR APPLICATION
This is your opportunity to tackle the world’s biggest challenges with us: Maintaining our health, feeding growing populations and slowing the rate of climate change. You have a voice, ideas and perspectives and we want to hear them. Because our success begins with you. Be part of something big. Be Bayer.
Bayer welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of race, national origin, gender, age, physical characteristics, social origin, disability, union membership, religion, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any unlawful criterion under applicable law. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and avoiding discrimination.
Location: Germany : North Rhine Westfalia : Wuppertal-Aprath || Germany : Berlin : Berlin
Division: Pharmaceuticals
Reference Code: 891289
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Job details
How this role compares
Computed from every other active Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research role in our database, not just this employer's listings.
We currently track 458 comparable Principal Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research roles across 54 biopharma companies.
Salary context
227 of 458 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)
Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.
Where these roles are based
Top locations among the 458 comparable roles
+ 15 more countries
Seniority mix
458 of 458 peers have a known seniority level
Therapeutic area mix
59 of 458 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden
Similar opportunities
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How we calculate "similar"
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Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.
0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.