Principal Scientist - Cancer Liquid Biopsy (5 YRS Oncology and Liquid Biopsy EXP RQD)
- Sonder Research X
- North Brunswick, New Jersey
- Full Time
Principal Scientist - Cancer Liquid Biopsy (5 YRS Oncology and Liquid Biopsy EXP RQD)
Employer
Sonder Research X
Location
North Brunswick, New Jersey
Salary
$150,000 - $210,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Start date
Aug 25, 2025
categories
job
Click to add the job to your shortlist
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.
Required Qualifications
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
Why Join Sonder
Sonder Research X offers competitive compensation, a collaborative scientific culture, and the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility as the company grows. This role provides a pathway to broader leadership for candidates seeking long-term development within the organization.
Salary Range: $150,000 - $210,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Employer
Sonder Research X
Location
North Brunswick, New Jersey
Salary
$150,000 - $210,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Start date
Aug 25, 2025
categories
job
Click to add the job to your shortlist
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.
Required Qualifications
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
Why Join Sonder
Sonder Research X offers competitive compensation, a collaborative scientific culture, and the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility as the company grows. This role provides a pathway to broader leadership for candidates seeking long-term development within the organization.
Salary Range: $150,000 - $210,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Job ID: 490704103
Originally Posted on: 8/25/2025
Want to find more Chemistry opportunities?
Check out the 16,020 verified Chemistry jobs on iHireChemists
Similar Jobs
Sign Up for Job Alerts
