--- title: 'Senior Principal Scientist at Summit Therapeutics' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-principal-scientist-summit-therapeutics-palo-alto-n0strqh510r6' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-16' --- # Senior Principal Scientist at Summit Therapeutics - **Company:** Summit Therapeutics - **Location:** Palo Alto, CA - **Compensation:** $168k–$197k - **Posted:** 2026-10-15 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/summittherapeutics/jobs/4451700009 ## Job description About Summit: Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company with a mission focused on improving quality of life, increasing potential duration of life, and resolving serious unmet medical needs. At Summit, we believe in building a team of world class professionals who are passionate about this mission, and it is our people who drive this mission to reality. Summit’s core values include integrity, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, collaboration, and our commitment to people. Our employees are truly the heart and soul of our culture, and they are invaluable in shaping our journey toward excellence. Summit’s team is inspired to touch and help change lives through Summit’s clinical studies in the field of oncology. Summit has multiple global Phase 3 clinical studies, including: Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) - HARMONi: Phase 3 clinical study which was intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI. - HARMONi-3: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC. - HARMONi-7: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC. Colorectal Cancer (CRC) - HARMONi-GI3: Phase 3 clinical study intended to evaluate ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy. Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy not presently approved by any regulatory authority other than China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Summit is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and has additional offices in California, New Jersey, the UK, and Ireland. Overview of Role: This is a hands-on, laboratory-based role in cell biology, focused on antibody screening and functional characterization in oncology and immunology. The scientist takes primary responsibility for bench work, from binding assays through immune-effector and cell-killing assays, and contributes directly to the discovery, characterization, and advancement of new antibody pipeline candidates. Role and Responsibilities: - Antibody Screening and Binding Characterization - Perform antibody ELISA (binding, specificity, and cross-reactivity) to screen and rank candidate antibodies. - Run cell-based binding assays on target-expressing tumor and immune cell lines and primary cells, typically by flow cytometry, to assess binding strength and specificity. - Develop, optimize, and qualify assays, and analyze and summarize screening data to support candidate selection. - Immune-Cell Functional Assays - Run PBMC-based tumor-killing assays and co-culture systems using primary human immune cells. - Measure T cell and NK cell activation, including activation markers, proliferation, cytokine release, and cytotoxicity. - Evaluate regulatory T cell (Treg) depletion and shifts in immune-cell composition after antibody treatment. - Use mechanistic findings to inform indication selection, rational combinations, and biomarker development. - Fc-Effector Function Characterization - Design and execute ADCC, CDC, and ADCP assays to characterize the effector function of candidate antibodies. - Compare candidates across Fc formats, target-expression levels, and cell models to understand mechanism of action, evaluate antibody potency and safety. - In Vivo Studies (as applicable) - Support animal studies, including PK/PD experiments, to connect in vitro activity with in vivo exposure and pharmacodynamic response. - Work with contract research organizations and academic laboratories to extend in vitro and in vivo studies. - Cross-Functional Collaboration and Scientific Communication - Design and run experiments to characterize and advance candidate molecules. - Prepare both in-depth analyses and executive-level summaries for internal stakeholders. - Serve as a subject-matter expert in cross-functional teams and support decision-making. - Develop conference abstracts and presentations, and contribute manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication. - Perform other assigned responsibilities, including SOP and protocol drafting, instrument maintenance, etc. - All other duties as assigned Experience, Education and Specialized Knowledge and Skills: - PhD plus at least 3 years of industry experience, or MS plus at least 5 years of industry experience, in cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, or a related field. - Experience with multi-antibody characterization, including ELISA and cell-based binding assays for antibody screening. - Hands-on experience with ADCC, CDC, and ADCP assays for antibody characterization. - Experience with primary human PBMCs and isolated T cells and NK cells, including PBMC-based tumor-killing assays, T cell and NK cell activation assays, and Treg depletion assays. - Able to work independently, with strong record of scientific communication across presentations, posters, and manuscripts, together with cross-functional collaboration experience. - Assess emerging technologies, scientific literature, and competitive landscapes in oncology and immunology to inform innovation and pipeline development. - Preferred - In vivo animal experience, particularly PK/PD studies, including study design, dosing, sample collection, and analysis of exposure and pharmacodynamic readouts in mouse tumor models. - Antibody affinity measurement (for example SPR or BLI) and reporter-gene assays for target binding or blockade. - Publication record in immuno-oncology. - Multiplex immunohistochemistry or fluorescence microscopy. - Experience in IND study reports. This is the pay for this position Pay Transparency $168,000—$197,000 USD Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. The total compensation package for this position may also include bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable variable compensation. Summit does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact Summit’s Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@smmttx.com to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to Summit. Summit Therapeutics Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in creating and maintaining diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training or promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. ## About Summit Therapeutics ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel bispecific antibody therapies, with its lead candidate ivonescimab targeting PD-1 and VEGF for multiple solid tumors. - **Entity Type**: Public (NASDAQ: SMMT) - **Headquarters**: Miami, Florida, USA (with additional offices in Palo Alto, CA; Princeton, NJ; Oxford, UK; and Dublin, Ireland) - **Founded**: 2003 - **Founders**: Not publicly disclosed on the company website; the company was founded in 2003. ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biopharmaceuticals / Oncology - **Target customers**: B2B (healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers) with a focus on resolving serious unmet medical needs in oncology - **Mission statement**: "To resolve serious, unmet medical needs for the betterment of overall human health." [smmttx.com](https://smmttx.com/company/about-us/default.aspx) ## Products & Services - **Ivonescimab (SMT112)**: A novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody targeting both PD-1 and VEGF. It is designed to combine immunotherapy (PD-1 blockade) with anti-angiogenesis (VEGF blockade) into a single molecule. Currently being studied in several global Phase 3 clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Licensed from Akeso, Inc. (HKEX: 9926.HK) for territories including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. [smmttx.com](https://smmttx.com/pipeline/default.aspx) ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Approximately $2.7 billion (as of recent data) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/summit-therapeutics) - **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of approximately $705,000 (reported). The company is pre-commercialization and heavily investing in R&D. Total funding raised since IPO (2015) is not disclosed, but the company has a strong cash position from equity offerings. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Akeso, Inc. (key licensing partner for ivonescimab). The company is publicly traded with institutional and retail investors. - **Growth Signals**: - Headcount grew 72.5% year-over-year to 244 employees. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/summit-therapeutics) - Multiple global Phase 3 trials actively recruiting (HARMONi, HARMONi-3, HARMONi-7, HARMONi-GI3, ILLUMINE). - Over 4,000 patients have been treated with ivonescimab across all clinical trials globally. [smmttx.com](https://smmttx.com/pipeline/default.aspx) - Achieved Great Place to Work® Certification. [smmttx.com](https://smmttx.com/careers/careers-overview/default.aspx) ## Competitive Advantages - **Novel Mechanism**: Ivonescimab is a first-in-class bispecific antibody targeting both PD-1 and VEGF simultaneously, potentially offering superior efficacy and fewer side effects compared to combination therapies. - **Speed and Execution**: The company emphasizes "high-speed execution in commercialization" and has rapidly initiated multiple Phase 3 trials. - **Global Reach**: Licensed territories cover major markets (U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Latin America, Middle East, Africa) with a strong partner (Akeso) in the rest of the world. - **Strong Balance Sheet**: With a $2.7B market cap and public listing, the company has access to capital markets to fund its pipeline. ## Strategic Focus - **Current priorities**: Advancing ivonescimab through Phase 3 clinical trials across multiple solid tumor indications (NSCLC, CRC, HNSCC), with the goal of regulatory approval and commercialization. - **Future direction**: Expanding the pipeline into additional solid tumors and leveraging the bispecific platform for future therapies. The company is focused on becoming a leading oncology player. - **Near-term milestones**: Data readouts from ongoing Phase 3 trials, potential regulatory submissions, and building commercial infrastructure. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: The company has achieved Great Place to Work® Certification, indicating a positive, supportive, and fulfilling work environment. Core values include Commitment to People, Integrity, Passion for Excellence, Purposeful Urgency, Accountability, and Collaboration. [smmttx.com](https://smmttx.com/careers/careers-overview/default.aspx) - **Work Environment**: Fast-paced, high-energy atmosphere focused on innovation and collaboration. The company emphasizes "making a significant difference in patients’ lives." - **Benefits (U.S.)**: - 401(k) with 6% employer match - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with 15% discount up to the annual federal limit - Flexible Spending Account - Commuter Benefit - Onsite lunch provided - **Benefits (U.K.)**: - Private Medical Insurance - Employee Assistance Program - Life Assurance Policy - Company Pension Contributions - ESPP - **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Not explicitly stated, but multiple office locations suggest a hybrid or on-site presence is expected for many roles. - **Open Roles**: 25 active job postings (as of recent data) including Senior Director of Sales Operations, Clinical Scientists, Medical Science Liaisons, and Drug Product MSAT roles. [greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/summitherrapeutics) - **Headcount Growth**: 72.5% year-over-year growth signals a scaling organization with opportunities for career advancement. ## Sources 1. [smmttx.com - About Us](https://smmttx.com/company/about-us/default.aspx) 2. [smmttx.com - Investor Relations Overview](https://www.smmttx.com/overview/default.aspx) 3. [smmttx.com - Pipeline](https://smmttx.com/pipeline/default.aspx) 4. [smmttx.com - Careers Overview](https://smmttx.com/careers/careers-overview/default.aspx) 5. [linkedin.com - Summit Therapeutics Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/summit-therapeutics) 6. [greenhouse.io - Summit Therapeutics Careers](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/summitherrapeutics) ## Other roles at Summit Therapeutics - [Associate Director, Clinical Supply Management (UK/EU)](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-clinical-supply-management-uk-eu-summit-therapeutics-oxford-4hve8zj7pay9) — Oxford UK Zug Switzerland Dublin, Ireland - [Director, Sourcing & Procurement - R&D Clinical Operations and Supplies](https://feeny.ai/job/director-sourcing-procurement-r-d-clinical-operations-and-supplies-summit-1ctpcgpnyv4w) — United States - [Associate Director, Clinical Supply Management](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-clinical-supply-management-summit-therapeutics-princeton-nj-mvc6azpxcvpd) — Princeton NJ US and Palo Alto CA, United States - [Regional Marketing Director](https://feeny.ai/job/regional-marketing-director-summit-therapeutics-princeton-p443zfx10fsb) — Princeton, NJ - [Director, Clinical Scientist](https://feeny.ai/job/director-clinical-scientist-summit-therapeutics-united-states-4b7fcrb9mkfb) — United States - [Senior Medical Director](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-medical-director-summit-therapeutics-united-states-6d943xf75bpx) — United States - [Senior Director, Oncology Clinical Educators](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-oncology-clinical-educators-summit-therapeutics-field-8pyx53adkr7g) — Field, United States - [Director, Clinical Operations Analytics & Performance Excellence](https://feeny.ai/job/director-clinical-operations-analytics-performance-excellence-summit-wqz1bgajvnrd) - [Corporate Counsel, Clinical Contracts](https://feeny.ai/job/corporate-counsel-clinical-contracts-summit-therapeutics-united-states-kr3cyb13nj9c) — United States - [Associate Director, Medical Writing](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-medical-writing-summit-therapeutics-remote-gq102xpjcf7z)