Senior Scientist

tl;dr

General Proximity is a seed-stage startup developing the next generation of induced proximity medicines (IPMs). Our OmniTAC drug discovery engine furnishes molecules that co-opt existing cellular machinery to overcome therapeutic challenges, which have remained unapproachable to other modalities for decades.

We are seeking a first-rate DMPK expert to help us pioneer this uncharted frontier of drug discovery.

Our Story

A long-standing challenge in drug discovery is the development of molecules capable of modulating difficult or "undruggable" targets. Disease-causing proteins can be dysfunctional in many different ways, but our armamentarium for fixing them is quite limited. The most common mechanism of action for FDA-approved drugs is inhibition[1], but there are many other possible perturbation types whose potential remains unrealized.

General Proximity is a seed-stage drug discovery company developing a novel platform technology to solve this problem. We make bifunctional drugs that induce the modification of drug targets by existing cellular machinery (rather than through direct modulation by the drug, the classical approach).

Historically, the development of technologies that allow one to push new buttons in biology has been an incredibly fertile field for the discovery of new medicines[2, 3, 4], and our technology holds the same promise.

The Position

We are seeking an exceptional DMPK expert to join and lead our drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics function. This is a hands-on, high-impact role in which you will design and execute DMPK studies across our small molecule portfolio, interpret and communicate data to project teams, and serve as a key DMPK contributor in cross-functional settings.

You will help shape scientific approaches, support regulatory activities, and play an important role in advancing programs from lead optimization through IND. You will work closely with our medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, and toxicology teams to translate DMPK science into actionable program decisions.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on scientist who combines solid technical expertise in ADME, in vivo PK, and PK/PD modeling with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across teams. This role is well suited for someone with a few years of DMPK experience at a pharma or biotech who now wants to take on greater ownership and grow at a mission-driven company working at the frontier of induced proximity medicine.

This role benefits from familiarity with the unique DMPK challenges of induced proximity medicines and bifunctional molecules. These include non-linear and dose-dependent pharmacokinetics arising from ternary complex formation, linker and warhead metabolic soft spots, high molecular weight and physicochemical complexity affecting permeability and oral bioavailability, tissue distribution considerations for proteasome-engaging degraders, and the interpretation of hook-effect phenomena in in vitro and in vivo settings. Exposure to TPD, molecular glue, PROTAC, or other bifunctional modality DMPK is a plus for this role.

What You'll Do

In Vitro ADME

Design, execute, and interpret in vitro ADME studies, including metabolic stability, CYP inhibition/induction, plasma protein binding, permeability (Caco-2/MDCK), solubility, and transporter assays.

Contribute to in vitro–in vivo correlation (IVIVC) analyses to inform candidate selection and advance structure–activity/property relationships.

Interpret metabolic soft spot and MetID data, translating findings into actionable guidance for medicinal chemistry teams.

Support CRO relationships for outsourced ADME studies, including scientific oversight of study execution and data quality review.

Bioanalytical Sciences

Support bioanalytical activities for the portfolio, including CRO-performed LC-MS/MS method development for small molecules and their metabolites across biological matrices.

Help ensure GLP-compliant bioanalytical practices for IND-enabling studies and monitor regulated bioanalysis timelines and data quality through CRO partners.

Contribute to fit-for-purpose bioanalytical approaches for induced proximity molecules, including strategies for quantifying bifunctional compounds and target engagement biomarkers.

In Vivo Pharmacokinetics

Design and support in vivo PK studies across rodent and non-rodent species, including study design, data interpretation, and cross-program learnings.

Perform high-quality PK data analysis (NCA and compartmental) using Phoenix WinNonlin or equivalent, ensuring accurate reporting and data integrity.

Integrate PK data with pharmacology and toxicology readouts to inform candidate progression criteria and target product profiles.

Coordinate with CROs for in vivo studies, tracking scope, timelines, and scientific deliverables.

PK/PD Modeling & Simulation

Perform PK/PD modeling and simulation, including PBPK modeling (Simcyp, GastroPlus) and allometric scaling to support human PK prediction.

Apply quantitative pharmacology approaches to support translational decision-making, FIH dose selection, and clinical dose range prediction.

Use modeling and simulation to inform go/no-go decisions and communicate DMPK findings to project teams.

Present DMPK modeling results in cross-functional project team meetings.

Regulatory & IND-Enabling Work

Support DMPK execution for IND-enabling programs, including study design, drafting of study reports, and data package delivery.

Contribute to DMPK sections of IND and CTA submissions; author and review relevant study reports and document sections.

Support preparation of DMPK materials for interactions with regulatory agencies, including briefing documents.

Maintain working knowledge of current regulatory guidance (DDI, MIST, bioanalytical method validation, ICH M9/M10) and apply evolving standards.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Contribution

Contribute to DMPK team goals and priorities in alignment with company objectives and pipeline evolution.

Serve as an active member of cross-functional project teams, contributing DMPK input to program planning and decision-making.

Support DMPK input for scientific evaluations and collaborations as needed.

Support clinical pharmacology activities as programs advance toward IND, including FIH dose projections, DDI risk assessment, and exposure–response analysis; contribute to clinical pharmacology sections of regulatory documents.

Help track CRO spend and study timelines in alignment with program milestones.

Author and present scientific findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference abstracts, and posters; contribute to General Proximity’s scientific credibility and platform visibility in the induced proximity field.

About You

High Agency. Initiative, independence, and self-accountability are some of our most valued traits.

Enthusiastic. We love people who are excited about what they are doing and are generally attempting to build a high-energy team.

Intensity and Grit. Early-stage startups are hard. Drug discovery is doubly so. We are looking for candidates who have a demonstrated ability to stick with complex problems for the long haul, with a team that has your back along the way.

Prosocial. We are here to create life-saving medicines for the patients who need it most. You should be, too.

Qualifications & Nice-To-Haves

• PhD in pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 3 years of industry experience in DMPK, spanning drug discovery and development, with a track record of contributing to small molecule programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate effectively within cross-functional project teams.
• Hands-on expertise in in vitro ADME and in vivo PK, with the ability to translate data into actionable drug discovery insights.
• Proficiency in PK data analysis (Phoenix WinNonlin or equivalent) and familiarity with PBPK/PK-PD modeling platforms (Simcyp, GastroPlus, or equivalent).
• Experience contributing to IND-enabling DMPK studies and authoring study reports.
• Working knowledge of FDA, EMA, and ICH guidance relevant to DMPK (DDI, MIST, M9/M10, bioanalytical validation).
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly convey DMPK science to cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on experience with bioanalytical activities, including LC-MS/MS method development in support of DMPK studies.
• Working knowledge of clinical pharmacology principles, including FIH dose projection, DDI risk assessment, and exposure–response analysis, sufficient to support drug development through early clinical stages.
  
  
• Nice to have:
  • Experience working in a startup or early-stage biotech environment
  • Experience contributing to a small molecule program advancing toward or through IND
  • Experience with novel modalities such as TPD, molecular glues, or PROTACs
  • Familiarity with AI/ML-based ADME prediction tools and an interest in integrating computational approaches (e.g., ML-driven metabolic stability or permeability models, digital twins for PK simulation) into the DMPK workflow alongside established platforms such as Simcyp and GastroPlus

Benefits

• Strong equity incentives. We are looking for candidates who will bring a strong sense of ownership to drive their project areas forward, and we believe that you deserve to be compensated accordingly.
• Top tier medical, dental, and vision coverage + One Medical membership.
• 401(k) retirement plans.
• Education and health/fitness incentive programs.
• Meditation retreats—do a ten-day Vipassana retreat without counting towards vacation days.
• Reading budget! We will buy you books. 📚
• Located in the MBC BioLabs at 135 Mississippi Street, an entrepreneurial hub full of the best scientists and operators the Bay Area has to offer. Our lab is a very short walk from the 22nd St Caltrain Station and a number of wonderful restaurants and cafés.

About Us

Work Hard/Play Hard. We believe time is our most valuable commodity, so we strive to create a culture that reflects this. We won’t drag you through unnecessary meetings or email you at 7 PM on a Saturday. When we're at work, we're there to get things done, and when we're off, we're really off. 🌴

Strong Communication. We like well-written documents over PowerPoints, OKRs over vague mission statements, and weekly one-on-ones over yearly reviews.

Writing First. We have a "writing-first" culture. We believe that clarity of writing reflects clarity of thinking and that the benefits of well-written documentation in a scientific environment are innumerable: democratization of ideation and decision-making, increased reproducibility, quicker scaling and onboarding, and better company-wide alignment, to name a few.

Growth. As an early-stage startup, we value scientists with an independent, can-do attitude. The more hats you can wear, the better. Our job as employers is to put you in positive feedback loops so you can grow in the direction of your choosing.

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Title and compensation commensurate with experience. Applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, women, and members of underrepresented minority groups are particularly welcomed. We look forward to hearing from you. :)

More info at jobs.generalproximity.bio