Job Description

Jnana Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its next-generation RAPID chemoproteomics platform to discover medicines for highly validated, challenging-to-drug targets to treat diseases with high unmet needs. Jnana is focused on developing first- and best-in-class oral therapies to treat a wide range of diseases, including rare diseases and immune-mediated diseases. Jnana’s lead program, JNT-517, which targets an allosteric site on the phenylalanine transporter SLC6A19, is a potential first-in-class oral approach for the treatment of PKU, a rare genetic metabolic disease. Located in Boston, Jnana brings together scientific leaders in small molecule drug discovery and development, and a highly experienced management team. For more information, please visit www.jnanatx.com and follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

At Jnana, you’ll join a diverse, passionate team dedicated to advancing therapies for challenging diseases. Our collaborative, purpose-driven culture fosters innovation, urgency, and belonging—making Jnana a great place to work!

About the Opportunity

The RAPID Platform is Jnana’s cornerstone technology—our primary engine for initiating, advancing, and evaluating discovery programs across a wide range of therapeutic targets. We are seeking a Principal Scientist to partner with the Head of the Chemical Biology and Platform group in leading the daily operations and continued evolution of this critical platform.

This individual will combine deep biochemical expertise and high-throughput screening (HTS) experience with a hands-on leadership style. The Principal Scientist will be embedded in the lab, running and optimizing screens, mentoring team members, and shaping the scientific strategy that underpins Jnana’s discovery pipeline. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute directly to our most impactful platform while developing cross-disciplinary expertise across biochemistry, mass spectrometry, compound management, and assay development.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead the daily operations and strategic execution of Jnana’s proprietary RAPID platform, covering all phases from evaluating target tractability to HTS campaign execution.
• Design, troubleshoot, and implement diverse biochemical assays to support hit identifications and characterization.
• Drive efficiency by utilizing advanced automation systems (e.g., Tecan, Biotek, Echo) ensuring efficient data generation.
• Serve as a core contributor on cross-functional project teams, effectively bridging platform output with drug discovery goals.
• Provide mentorship and hands-on guidance to junior scientists, setting a standard for technical excellence, efficiency, and safety. Cultivate team talent with a strong “leading from the lab” ethos.
• Efficiently interpret data outputs, translating complex screening data into strategic next steps for hit triage and target go/no-go decisions.
• Maintain and promote an organized, safe, and collaborative lab environment.

Desired Qualifications & Past Experience

Collaborative mindset and eagerness to learn new technologies and approaches.

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.

Significant experience in high-throughput screening and assay developement.

Strong technical expertise in biochemical assays.

Hands on experience with automation platforms and liquid handling systems (Tecan, Biotek, Echo, etc.).

Proven ability to think critically and solve complex technical problems at the molecular level.

Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and fast paced environment.

Leadership experience in mentoring or managing team members, enjoys working side-by-side with scientists in the lab.

Enthusiasm for continuous improvement, innovation, and scientific rigor.