• Establish all in vitro pharmacology capabilities and processes required for integrated drug discovery programs. • Define and lead the required design, execution, and analysis of cell-based assays to support hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization campaigns. • Select, engineer, and characterize disease-relevant cell lines, including stable and transient transfection models. • Provide strategic input into target selection and validation. • Design strategies for high-throughput screening campaigns using advanced assay technologies (NanoBRET, NanoBiT, TR-FRET, AlphaScreen, luminescence, reporter gene activation, FLIPR and others). • Apply molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., Western blot, qPCR, gene editing, siRNA knockdown, biomarker assays) to evaluate compound activity, efficacy, mechanism of action and pathway engagement. • Ensure robust experimental design, reproducibility, and data quality while meeting project timelines. • Lead and mentor a team of research associates and scientists to achieve operational and scientific excellence. • Collaborate and communicate effectively within cross-functional drug discovery teams, including medicinal chemistry, biophysics, structural biology, protein sciences, and computational chemistry. • Align scope, timelines and decision points for support of med chem optimization, and generate high-quality in vitro pharmacology data packages to support IND-enabling activities and candidate nomination decisions. • Present scientific capabilities and findings to internal stakeholders and external partners. • Lead implementation of automation, liquid handling systems, and high-throughput assay processing to enhance team productivity and scalability. Required • PhD in Cellular Biology, Pharmacology, Chemical Biology or a related discipline. • 10+ years of industry experience in in vitro pharmacology within a small molecule drug discovery setting (biotech or pharmaceutical). • Extensive expertise in cellular and molecular biology techniques. • Proven track record of contributing to the progression of small molecule drug candidates from hit to candidate nomination. • Hands-on experience with assay development for potency, efficacy, target engagement, selectivity, and mechanism of action of small molecules. • Proficiency in mammalian cell culture (including establishing and maintaining transient and stable cell lines). • Long-standing experience with liquid handling systems, automation, and high-throughput assay execution. • Strong skills in data analysis, interpretation, and scientific communication. • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment. • Strong leadership skills with experience managing research associates and scientists. • Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills. • Experience in one or more key disease areas, including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, or metabolic diseases. Preferred • Familiarity with CRO operating environment, including multi-client project management, resource planning, and client-facing scientific communication. • Experience with targeted protein degradation modalities (PROTACs, molecular glues, bifunctional degraders). • Knowledge of DMPK interface: protein binding, metabolic stability, and their impact on in vitro assay interpretation. • Experience operating within an IND-enabling or GLP-compliant environment. • An entrepreneurial scientific environment at a world-leading structure-based drug discovery CRO. • A key leadership role with the mandate and resources to build a new pharmacology capability from the ground up. • Close collaboration with expert teams in structural biology, biophysics, medicinal chemistry, and computational chemistry. • Competitive remuneration package and opportunities for professional development. • A dynamic, international, and scientifically driven team based in the Greater Munich area. Proteros biostructures GmbHPeople TeamBunsenstr. 7a, 82152 Martinsried+49 89 700761 0joinus@proteros.de