Scientist- Senior Scientist

The Company:

Surrozen is a biotechnology company pioneering targeted therapeutics that selectively activate the Wnt Pathway for tissue repair and regeneration.  Surrozen is focusing its Wnt biology expertise and Wnt signal modulation antibody technologies on its ophthalmology programs including development of new treatment options for retinopathies. The Company recently completed a private placement consisting of two tranches in aggregate up to $175 million in gross proceeds to fund multiple ophthalmology programs through initial Phase 1 safety, tolerability and efficacy studies. The Company expects to file an IND in 2026.  

Modulation of Wnt signaling has the potential to be relevant in a broad range of highly prevalent eye diseases including “wet” and “dry” Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), and non-infectious uveitis as well as certain rare eye diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt’s and Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). The two lead candidates for the treatment of retinopathies include SZN-8141 (Fzd4/VEGF) and SZN-8143 (Fzd4/VEGF/IL-6).  

SZN-8141 combines Frizzled 4 (Fzd4) agonism and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) antagonism which has the potential to provide benefits over treatment with single agents for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration (wet AMD).   

SZN-8143 combines Fzd4 agonism, VEGF antagonism, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonism which may have benefits over single agents for treatment of DME/wet AMD/uveitic macular edema (UME). 

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist, full-time position to support drug development programs in the ophthalmology space. They will be involved in establishing vitro model systems and cell based assays for evaluating antibody drug efficacy and mode of action. They will also be involved in designing and executing in vivo MOA studies in various animal eye disease models, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and techniques. The successful candidate will have a PhD degree in Biochemistry/Cell and Molecular Biology/Developmental Biology/Neurobiology and, ideally, with postdoctoral training in eye biology or ophthalmology related fields. The candidate should demonstrate, with a good track record of peer-reviewed publications, excellent scientific vision, critical thinking, technical versatility and productivity. This is an individual contributing role with good team-work spirit.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to many of Surrozen’s preclinical and clinical programs to potentially transform the treatment options of severe eye diseases, including DME, nAMD and dAMD.

Pay Range: $110,435 - $178,247

Primary Duties:

• Design and execute experiments: Design and perform in vitro (cell-based) and sometimes in vivo (animal-based) studies to explore disease mechanisms, Wnt biology, and test new molecules.
• Discover and validate targets: Identify potential new targets for drug intervention and validate their role in the disease process through advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Develop and run assays: Develop and optimize high-throughput screening assays to test and rank large pools of drug candidates.
• Analyze and interpret data: Systematically analyze complex experimental data, critically evaluate and interpret data, draw conclusions, and present findings to project teams to guide drug development decisions.
• Collaborate across functions: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including protein biochemists, pharmacologists, and data scientists, to drive discovery programs.
• Manage external partnerships: Engage with and oversee work conducted by contract research organizations (CROs) for specialized tasks.
• Engage with key opinion leaders (KOLs): Develop and maintain communication with a network of scientific advisors and consultants.
• Contribute to scientific strategy: Stay current with scientific literature and contribute to setting the strategic direction for discovery efforts in the ophthalmology therapeutics field.
• Presentation and publication: Publish data and research discoveries as conference abstracts, patents and peer-reviewed papers as guided by Surrozen publication strategy

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Neurobiology or related fields
• Minimum 2+ year experience in eye research with track record of peer reviewed publications
• Demonstrated strong wet-lab molecular and cell biology techniques, e.g. molecular cloning, qPCR, siRNA, Crispr-Cas9 gene editing, IF/IHC, ISH/FISH, FACS, ELISA, Western blotting, protein IP, mammalian cell/organoid culture, reporter/enzymatic cell-based assays, animal tissue manipulation and primary cell isolation
• Experience with fluorescence confocal microscopy and imaging analysis is a must
• Familiar with in vitro, ex vivo and animal retinal disease models
• Experience and good knowledge in advancing antibody therapeutics are highly desired
• Experience with high-throughput sequencing, single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, proteomic workflow, R programing and data analysis is a plus
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Attention to detail, self-motivated
• Experience in coaching junior scientists or students
• Strong interpersonal skills and a team player committed to success and getting the job done well in a highly dynamic environment

Benefits

• We offer a dynamic working environment and a collaborative, passionate team
• Excellent benefits, including competitive employer contributions
• Stock Options
• Paid vacation, sick time and holidays
• Shuttle service to/from Caltrain, BART and the SSF Ferry
• State of the art research facility complete with bowling alley and onsite gym amenities available through The Cove