Scientist/Senior Scientist, Drug Discovery (Glaucoma, Neuroprotection)

About Character Biosciences

Character Biosciences is a precision medicine company pioneering targeted therapies for polygenic diseases, with an initial focus on ophthalmology. Our patient data platform integrates genomics with deep, longitudinal clinical and imaging data, enabling us to uncover genetic drivers of disease progression, advance novel therapeutics, and define patient stratification strategies that improve clinical success.

Our interdisciplinary team, comprising experts in clinical science, data science, statistical genetics, computer vision, and drug discovery, utilizes this platform to determine genetic drivers of disease progression, advance novel therapeutics and define genetics-based patient stratification. Powered by our data platform, Character Bio is currently advancing two programs in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with additional programs for other disease areas (e.g. Glaucoma) in earlier stages of discovery research.

Founded in 2018, Character has raised capital from leading investors at the intersection of healthcare and technology, including an oversubscribed $110+ million Series B in 2025 co-led by aMoon and Luma Group, with participation from Bausch + Lomb, Sanofi Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Catalio Capital Management, S32, KdT Ventures, and Jefferson Life Sciences. We also maintain a multi-target drug discovery collaboration with Bausch + Lomb to develop innovative precision medicines for AMD.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a talented Scientist or Senior Scientist to join our drug discovery team. This role will lead the experimental validation of drug targets and the discovery and optimization of drug candidates. As part of a broader pre-clinical team, this role will also collaborate with genetics and data science groups to nominate drug targets and with development groups to progress lead candidates to IND. This position offers an opportunity to join a growing, dynamic startup and directly contribute to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. Candidates with diverse scientific backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Design and execute go/no-go experiments to assess candidate drug targets
• Lead the design and manage the execution of drug discovery activities using modalities appropriate for specific targets (e.g. small molecules, antibodies, recombinant proteins, peptides)
• Collaboratively design and manage the execution of in vivo studies with CROs for target validation and for lead candidate selection (e.g. pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, tolerability)
• Update experimental plans as new information and tools emerge and innovatively troubleshoot to resolve challenges
• Regularly present at internal and external meetings to audiences of diverse scientific backgrounds

Key qualifications:

• PhD in neuroscience, retinal biology, cell biology, biochemistry or related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral or industry experience in drug discovery related to neurobiology or ophthalmology
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and executing complex cell-based assays, experience with iPSC-derived neurons, glia, and co-culture models is a plus
• Strong track record in driving scientific discovery, including primary authorship in peer-reviewed research papers, patents and conference presentations
• Extensive hands-on experience in qRT-PCR, immunoassays, confocal microscopy, and cell-engineering using lentiviral and CRISPR-based approaches. Candidates with proficiency in high content imaging and flow cytometry analysis are preferred
• Experience with designing and interpreting in vivo experiments. Experience with retinal function (eg. patterned ERG) data analysis is a plus
• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential
• Experience with managing and mentoring scientific staff is a bonus
• Research experience in the following fields is preferred but not required: ocular diseases, glaucoma, neurodegenerative diseases

Benefits include a competitive salary, strong equity incentives, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and a flexible paid time off policy. Character is committed to recruiting, developing, and supporting colleagues from all backgrounds. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as an integral part of our culture. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We are an E-Verify company.