Preclinical R&D Expert – ADC & Bispecifics
Listing checked August 29, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
Mercor is hiring a preclinical R&D expert to support a venture-backed AI lab that builds physics-based foundation models for chemistry, materials science, and drug discovery. You would contribute hands-on experience with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and/or bispecific antibodies to a remote, part-time consulting role. The work centers on reviewing real R&D data, annotating scientific outputs, and advising on target and modality decisions. Your input will directly shape how AI models reason about pharmaceutical development.
What You'll Do5
- 1Review technical documents and experimental data from ADC and bispecific programs.
- 2Label and classify scientific data and model outputs to sharpen model accuracy.
- 3Advise on scientific decisions such as target selection, modality choice, and trade-off analysis.
- 4Define dataset structure and quality benchmarks for the client's data pipeline.
- 5Participate in expert interviews, research discussions, and other engagements with the client team.
Requirements6
- 1Hands-on preclinical R&D experience at a biotech that develops its own drug candidates and has advanced programs into the clinic.
- 2Direct experience with ADCs, bispecific antibodies, or multispecific antibodies.
- 3Background in a core R&D function: discovery biology, medicinal chemistry, protein or antibody engineering, computational biology, in vivo pharmacology, PK-PD, toxicology, or CMC/formulation.
- 4At least 5 years of relevant industry R&D experience, with flexibility for deeper expertise.
- 5Prior work taking a program through lead optimization or IND-enabling studies is a plus.
- 6Experience at a mid-size, emerging, or resource-limited biotech outside the top 20 pharma companies is a plus.
Who Should Apply
The right candidate has spent years at the bench in a biotech that owns its drug assets and has pushed an ADC or bispecific program toward the clinic. They can speak concretely about lead optimization, IND-enabling work, and the trade-offs between target, linker, payload, and format. This role is less suitable for people whose experience sits in CRO/CDMO services, academic-only research, QC/analytical testing, clinical development, diagnostics, or regulatory writing. The client filters out candidates whose resumes show consulting or service work instead of hands-on internal R&D, or when they cannot name the exact stage their program reached. Another common miss is lacking direct modality experience, even if the overall drug discovery background is strong.
Salary Insight
The pay range is $60 to $100 per hour for this part-time engagement of roughly 10 hours per week. That rate sits at the senior consultant level for preclinical R&D experts with ADC and bispecific depth, especially when the work is on-demand and remote. Actual pay depends on experience and program complexity.
Location
Compensation
$60–100/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
In your application, list the specific ADC or bispecific programs you worked on, your role on each, and the development stage reached, such as lead optimization or IND-enabling. If a program advanced to the clinic, say so directly. The client filters for hands-on internal R&D, so give your years of experience and name the modality.
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