Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, or related discipline with 10+ years in biotech/pharma
Proven track record leading autoimmune or inflammatory disease programs
Expertise in immune cell biology and assay design
Strong publication and patent record reflecting scientific contributions
Responsibilities
Lead autoimmune-focused discovery programs from target identification to candidate selection
Integrate biology, pharmacology, and chemistry data for decision-making
Identify and validate novel targets/pathways in autoimmune diseases
Design and execute studies to validate and differentiate degraders
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet company objectives
Present data in team and larger project meetings
Build/manage collaborations with academia and industry
Mentor junior scientists and promote scientific rigor
Benefits
Opportunity to drive impactful research in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
Work at the intersection of immunology, chemical biology, and drug discovery
Contribute to a high-impact pipeline addressing significant unmet medical needs
Mentorship opportunities for career development
Collaborative work environment fostering innovation
Full Job Description
Job Summary
C4 Therapeutics is seeking an innovative Principal Scientist, Biology (Immunology) to help build a new generation of medicines for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using our targeted protein degradation (TPD) platform. In this highly visible, laboratory-based role, you will lead mechanism-driven programs from target identification through IND-enabling studies. Combining deep expertise in immunology and human disease biology with hands-on work in primary human immune cell systems, you will uncover how degraders reshape immune pathways, translate mechanistic insights into decisive program advances, and build the mechanistic and translational evidence needed to advance transformative therapies for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This is an opportunity to shape a breakthrough pipeline, work with exceptional scientists, and bring transformative therapies closer to patients. C4T offers strong leadership, defined growth opportunities, exposure to state-of-the-art science, and a collaborative environment where ambitious ideas can make a meaningful impact.
Your Role
Independently design, execute, optimize, and troubleshoot experiments, including complex primary human immune cell assays (PBMCs, purified immune cell subsets, whole blood, and patient-derived samples) to elucidate degrader mechanisms of action, establish translational biomarkers, and support candidate selection.
Define links among target degradation, pathway modulation, and functional immune outcomes through hands-on pharmacology studies.
Apply immune signaling and activation expertise to select relevant systems, stimuli, and mechanistic readouts.
Lead immunology discovery programs from target identification through candidate selection, partnering across functions to deliver key company goals.
Set program strategy, milestones, and experiments that build translational data packages and support development.
Integrate biology, pharmacology, and chemistry data to guide program and portfolio decisions.
Identify and validate novel autoimmune and inflammatory disease targets and pathways.
Analyze and clearly present data to project teams and broader stakeholders.
Build and manage strategic academic and industry collaborations.
Mentor scientists and foster scientific rigor, innovation, and collaboration.
Your Background
Required:
Ph.D. in Immunology or a related field, with substantial research experience and a minimum of ten years in biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug discovery with proven success leading autoimmune and/or inflammatory programs from target validation through candidate selection and preclinical development.
Deep hands-on experience developing primary immune cell assays and mechanism-of-action studies across cytokine, innate, T-cell, myeloid, and inflammatory signaling pathways to study intracellular signaling (e.g. Flow Cytometry, MSD, ELISA, differentiation and polarization activities, etc.).
Expertise in immune cell and autoimmune disease biology, cellular and molecular assay development, translational pharmacology, biomarker strategy, and immune-targeted therapeutics.
Demonstrated immunology expertise with a strong record of publications, patents, development candidates, or pipeline contributions.
Proven track record of matrixed leadership experience, including program leadership, scientific mentorship, and managing CROs and/or outsourced vendors.
Preferred:
Experience with targeted protein degradation and/or pathophysiology of disease.
Experience with filing an IND and/or clinical development activities.
Experience working with external collaborations with other life science companies and/or academic institutions.
Compensation
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $179,550.00 and $198,450.00 annually; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
About C4 Therapeutics
C4 Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. The company's platform technology, called Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD), allows for the selective degradation of disease-causing proteins, which can lead to more effective and less toxic therapies. C4 Therapeutics is focused on developing drugs for difficult-to-treat cancers, such as KRAS-mutant tumors, as well as for neurodegenerative diseases. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.