Lead Scientist, Electrophysiology; In Vitro​/Ex Vivo

San Francisco
• Research and Translational Science

Job Type

Full-time

Description

About Gondola Bio

Gondola Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing breakthrough therapeutics for genetic diseases. Gondola Bio is an independent sister company to Bridge Bio, originally carved out in 2024 after securing $300M in private financing from external investors. Gondola Bio aims to leverage cutting-edge biological research to discover, create, test, and deliver transformative medicines to treat patients who suffer from genetic diseases.

Who You Are

We’re seeking an entrepreneurial scientific leader with deep expertise in in vitro and ex vivo electrophysiology to advance Gondola Bio’s rare disease pipeline. You will serve as the scientific lead for multiple preclinical programs where electrophysiology plays a critical role in understanding target biology and driving drug discovery. You will design, execute, and interpret electrophysiology experiments that guide compound optimization and translational strategy.

This role offers the opportunity to shape research strategy, build electrophysiology capabilities, and mentor junior scientists while contributing to a growing interdisciplinary team. You will thrive in an environment where scientific rigor, creativity, and collaboration are valued equally, and where your work directly informs the development of transformative medicines for patients.

Key?

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of in vitro and ex vivo electrophysiology studies to characterize ion channels, transporters, and other excitable membrane proteins
• Apply advanced electrophysiology techniques (e.g., patch-clamp, multi-electrode arrays, automated electrophysiology platforms) to study compound mechanism of action, potency, selectivity, and safety liabilities
• Develop and validate electrophysiology assays to support drug discovery, including primary cell and tissue slice preparations
• Oversee external collaborations with CROs and academic partners to ensure high-quality and timely data delivery
• Communicate findings effectively with medicinal chemistry and biology colleagues to guide compound design and optimization
• Supervise and mentor junior scientists, building expertise within the team
• Stay current with emerging electrophysiology and ion channel drug discovery advances; represent Gondola Bio at external meetings and in publications
• Contribute to the development of research strategy and integration of electrophysiology insights into broader discovery and translational programs

Preferred Education?&?

Experience

• PhD in neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, or a related field with 2+ years of laboratory experience (postdoc + industry/academic)
• Strong track record applying patch-clamp electrophysiology (manual and automated) or related ex vivo techniques in drug discovery or advanced academic research
• Demonstrated experience with ion channels, transporters, or excitable cells/tissues (neurons, cardiomyocytes, muscle fibers, etc.)
• Hands-on expertise in designing, executing, and interpreting electrophysiological assays for compound evaluation
• Experience managing projects, collaborating cross-functionally, and directing CROs or external partners
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to integrate electrophysiology with other discovery disciplines (structural biology, pharmacology, computational modeling)

Nice-to-Haves

• 2+ years of industry drug discovery experience highly valued, especially collaborations with medicinal chemistry teams to inform SAR
• Experience with tissue slice electrophysiology, synaptic physiology, or stem cell–derived excitable cell models
• Familiarity with assay automation, high-throughput electrophysiology platforms, and data analysis pipelines
• Broader understanding of preclinical drug discovery disciplines, including cellular disease models, target engagement assays, pharmacology, and PK/PD
• Experience mentoring and building an electrophysiology team in an industry setting

No matter your role at Gondola Bio, successful team members are

• Patient Champions, who put patients first and uphold strict ethical standards
• Entrepreneurial Operators, who drive…