Principal Scientist/Associate Director Immunology

As a Principal Scientist/Associate Director of Immunology at Hillstar Bio, you will be responsible for designing and executing in vitro and in vivo studies, overseeing the development of experimental plans, collaborating with teams to analyze results, and managing relationships with external collaborators. Your strategic vision and scientific expertise will guide the advancement of our program HLST-002, targeting significant unmet needs in autoimmune diseases.

To qualify for the Principal Scientist/Associate Director of Immunology role at Hillstar Bio, you should hold a PhD in Immunology or a related field, alongside at least 5 years of experience in drug development specifically focused on autoimmune diseases. A strong background in adaptive immune cell biology, patent applications, and high-impact publications will also enhance your candidacy.

The essential skills for this role at Hillstar Bio include a deep knowledge of immune cell biology, excellent strategic thinking abilities, and proficient communication skills. Self-motivation, collaboration, and effective time management are crucial, along with a demonstrated ability to manage junior scientists and coordinate with external collaborators effectively.

Hillstar Bio supports its scientists, including the Principal Scientist/Associate Director of Immunology, through a culture that fosters collaboration and growth. We offer competitive compensation packages, including unlimited vacation and market-leading parental leave, ensuring our team members can thrive both professionally and personally.

HLST-002 at Hillstar Bio is designed to focus on significant unmet medical needs in autoimmune diseases, particularly Cold Agglutinin Disease. Our goal is to improve safety, efficacy, and durability of response to treatments, ultimately setting new standards for patient care and management of these debilitating conditions.

Certainly! In my previous roles, I worked extensively with B and T cell-mediated responses, focusing on how they contribute to autoimmune conditions. During interviews, emphasize specific research projects or experiences that demonstrate your theoretical knowledge and practical skills—that’s what most interviewers will want to hear.

My approach includes thorough background research to identify viable in vitro and in vivo models relevant to the disease in question. I also stress collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure that all experimental designs are robust, reproducible, and easily interpretable. Providing examples from your past experience can greatly strengthen your response.

I believe in open communication and setting clear expectations. By fostering a collaborative environment, I encourage junior scientists to voice their ideas and challenges. In interviews, cite instances where your mentoring made a significant difference in someone’s career path, showcasing your leadership.

Key factors include ensuring alignment on scientific objectives, clear communication, and establishing a comprehensive project timeline. Discuss how you’ve navigated collaborations in the past by providing examples of successful partnerships that led to meaningful results.

To ensure reproducibility, I follow standardized protocols, carefully choose appropriate controls, and document every step taken during experiments. In interviews, you can discuss any quality control measures or audits you’ve implemented in previous projects as proof of your diligence.

Absolutely! A memorable instance was when I presented findings from a crucial project to executive teams. I focused on breaking the data into digestible parts and used visuals for clarity. Discussing your preparation process and feedback received will demonstrate your effectiveness in this area.

My passion lies in advancing our understanding of autoimmune diseases and the potential to improve patient outcomes through targeted therapies. In interviews, narrate a poignant story that touches upon what specifically drives your enthusiasm for this field.

One of the biggest challenges was navigating unexpected results during preclinical trials. I addressed this by gathering my team for brainstorming sessions which led to innovative troubleshooting solutions. Sharing specific examples will reflect your problem-solving skills effectively.

I prioritize by assessing project timelines, potential impact, and dependencies of tasks. Using project management tools has also been helpful. In an interview, it’s effective to provide an example of a project that had competing priorities and how you successfully managed them.

The future will likely involve more personalized approaches, targeting the root causes of diseases rather than merely alleviating symptoms. This is an exciting area to explore in interviews, as it allows you to express your knowledge of current trends and potential developments in the field.