Associate Director, Structural Biology

The role

Lead structural biology work that supports Parabilis Medicines' discovery programs, including Helicon-mediated complexes. Manage and develop a small team and external CRO partners, and work hands-on at the bench and the desk as a player-coach.

What you will do

• Partner with the Head of Computational Drug Discovery to shape structural biology strategy, method selection, and external capacity investments.
• Drive parallel structure determination of Helicon-mediated complexes using crystallography and cryo-EM, plus complementary methods where faster.
• Improve workflows and turnaround times, including automation and AI-enabled tools.
• Manage CRO and external capacity to meet program timelines and quality standards.
• Lead and develop the team, mentor scientists, and direct contractors.
• Partner with computational drug discovery on restraint-guided modeling and a structure data repository.

Required qualifications

• PhD in Structural Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 8+ years of industry experience with increasing responsibility in drug discovery.
• Deep hands-on expertise in X-ray crystallography or single-particle cryo-EM, with working knowledge of the other technique.
• Hands-on leadership mindset and commitment to working side by side with the team.
• Proven impact in biotech or pharma drug discovery, with structures that informed design decisions.
• Track record managing external structural biology capacity, including CRO selection, scoping, and management.
• Practical understanding of complementary methods such as NMR, SAXS, HDX-MS, and biophysical approaches.
• Fluency with computational colleagues, including modeling, docking, and free energy calculations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use AI tools for day-to-day work.
• Able to work on-site and attend in-person meetings.

Nice to have

• Experience managing direct reports.
• Experience with protein production and construct engineering for difficult complexes.
• Experience with automation of crystallization or grid screening.
• Scripting experience, such as Python.
• Experience with structure-based design of degraders.
• Advanced or innovative use of AI tools.

Benefits

• Annual target bonus.
• Equity.
• Comprehensive suite of competitive benefits designed to support overall well-being.

Before you apply

• Applicants receive consideration without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or other legall

About the company

Parabilis Medicines is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing Helicon alpha-helical peptides for hard-to-drug intracellular targets. Its lead investigational medicine, zolucatetide, is a direct inhibitor of the β-catenin:TCF interaction.