Principal Scientist

Principal Scientist, North Brunswick, NJ (On-site, full-time) Sonder Research X is a pre-commercial biotech company dedicated to cancer liquid biopsy using our proprietary platform. Our goal is to bring relief to patients by early diagnosis of cancer with a convenient and highly accurate novel test. We also aim to provide physicians and providers with clinically useful technology. The scientist will translate the overarching scientific vision into actionable project plans, provide technical and strategic oversight across multiple programs, and mentor team leaders to ensure scientific excellence and timely execution. This role is best for a seasoned scientist who excels at both big-picture thinking and in-the-weeds problem-solving. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in scientific research and experience in advancing programs toward diagnostic development or within biotech or life sciences companies. The candidate will play a vital role in mentoring team leaders, promoting scientific excellence, and contributing to a collaborative, accountable research culture. Key Responsibilities Scientific & Strategic Leadership Translate Strategy into Action: Work directly with the Chief Scientific Officer to understand the long-term scientific vision and distill it into clear, prioritized research goals and milestones for the R D teams. Oversee Project Portfolio: Provide scientific oversight for multiple concurrent projects in our cancer liquid biopsy pipeline, ensuring they remain aligned with company objectives, timelines, and budgets. Drive Innovation: Identify new technological opportunities, experimental approaches, and potential collaborations to maintain our competitive edge in the liquid biopsy space. Scientific Management & Team Leadership Lead the Leaders: Directly manage, mentor, and develop our R D Team Leaders. Foster their growth as both scientists and managers, empowering them to build high-performing teams. Drive a Culture of Excellence: Cultivate a scientifically rigorous, collaborative, and results-oriented culture. You will be responsible for maintaining or enhancing our standards for data quality, experimental design, and scientific communication. Resource Management: Oversee resource allocation, including budget and headcount planning, for the R D organization to ensure teams are equipped for success. Serve as a hands-on scientific leader, providing strategic and technical oversight for a team of PhDs. Mentor and develop team leaders and junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and accountability. Drive strategic planning by participating in competitive intelligence, staying current with scientific advancements in oncology and liquid biopsy, and proactively incorporating best practices. Cross-Functional Leadership Serve as the R D Hub: Act as the primary point of contact between the R D teams and other key functions, including Bioinformatics, Clinical Operations, and Regulatory Affairs, ensuring seamless integration and communication. Communicate Progress: Regularly synthesize complex project updates and data packages for presentation to the CSO and the executive team. Clinical Study & Product Development Lead the end-to-end design and execution of clinical studies , from defining objectives, endpoints, and eligibility criteria to interpreting results and preparing for regulatory requirements. Spearhead the development, verification, and validation of novel IVD liquid biopsy assays . This includes designing studies to optimize preanalytical (e.g., blood collection, storage) and analytical workflows while applying Design Control and Risk Mitigation principles. Maintain, author, and or review key documentation , including clinical study protocols, SOPs, validation reports, and regulatory submissions. You'll also respond to feedback from health authorities and other stakeholders. Collaboration & Communication Build and maintain relationships with KOLs, consortia, and clinical sites to support company and investigator-initiated studies. Contribute to the company's intellectual property portfolio and publication goals by authoring scientific manuscripts and invention disclosures, and represent the company at scientific meetings and advisory boards. MD or PhD in a life sciences or biomedical field (e.g., molecular biology, biophysics, biochemistry, biomedical engineering) 6+ years of post-PhD experience with at least 3 years in a biotech or diagnostics industry setting, including 3+ years in a team leadership or senior scientific role Demonstrated experience advancing scientific discoveries toward diagnostic or clinical development Strong mentoring, communication, and project leadership skills Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment Demonstrated experience in people management, specifically with a track record of successfully managing PhD-level scientists and/or other team leaders. Deep scientific expertise in oncology and liquid biopsy , with experience leading teams in the development of nucleic acid-based assays (NGS, PCR, etc.) or pathology-based assays Preferred Qualifications Direct experience developing and launching IVD (In Vitro Diagnostic) products under Design Control (QMS/ISO 13485) or CLIA or CAP. Familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as CLIA, CAP, GLP, or FDA diagnostic pathways Familiarity with multi-omics methods, including proteomics, genomics, and radiomics Prior involvement in product development, clinical assay validation, or external collaborations