About

Our team is powered by experienced, high-performing scientists who bring curiosity, creativity, and rigor to every pursuit. We thrive on collaboration—knowing that true breakthroughs happen when brilliant minds unite across disciplines.

Our Team

Markus Renschler, M.D.

  • Chief Executive Officer

Laure Escoubet, Ph.D.

  • Chief Scientific Officer

Christoph Zapf, Ph.D.

  • Vice President of Chemistry

Mark Gallop, Ph.D.

  • Strategic Advisor

David Gaiero

  • Chief Financial Officer

Ben Cravatt, Ph.D.

  • Professor, The Scripps Research Institute

Nathanael Gray, Ph.D.

  • Professor, Stanford University

Brian Liau, Ph.D.

  • Associate Professor, Harvard University

Thomas Daniel, M.D.

  • Chairman of the Board

Cristina Ghenoiu, Ph.D.

  • Mubadala Capital

Rami Hannoush, Ph.D.

  • Versant Ventures

Seiji Miyahara, Ph.D.

  • Taiho Ventures

Markus Renschler, M.D.

  • Chief Executive Officer

Thomas Woiwode, Ph.D.

  • Versant Ventures
Trusted by Leading Investors

We are proud to be funded by Versant Ventures, Mubadala Capital, and three strategic co-investors, Bristol Myers Squibb, Taiho Ventures, and AbbVie, underscoring our commitment to transforming drug discovery and advancing healthcare.

Our Values​

We are guided by innovation, collaboration, scientific integrity, transparency, a sense of urgency, trust and mutual respect, and data-driven decision making. Patients can’t wait.

Careers

We are searching for creative individuals driven by a willingness to embrace innovation in a fast-paced, high-energy environment and an eagerness to challenge and meet aggressive timelines. We are looking for professionals with a strong work ethic and a commitment to teamwork, who are committed to continuous learning and will seek opportunities to stretch their capabilities. We are a passionate, results-oriented organization. We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits.

Scientists discussing projects in the lab.

Open Positions

Here are positions currently open at Light Horse Therapeutics. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters and will not pay a fee for any unsolicited resumes. For more information, contact careers@lighthorsetx.com

Head of Computational Biology

San Diego, CA
Full-time

We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, and experienced leader to head our Computational Biology function. Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, this individual will play a central role in advancing Light Horse’s mission by shaping and executing the computational strategy supporting the discovery and development of first-in-class small molecule therapeutics.

Job Description:

  • Collaborate closely with Discovery Biology, Functional Genomics, Chemistry and Proteomics, to drive data analysis and become an active participant of drug discovery and translational research from target discovery to development.
  • The candidate will be supported by and provide leadership to a team comprising in-house expertise and specialized external partners.
  • Lead the design and analysis of functional gene editing screens and multi-omics datasets such as DNA sequencing, Transcriptomics and Epigenomics
  • Lead biomarker initiatives through the integrative analysis of internal and external genomic/genetic data
  • Support target discovery and translational research through the development of methods to interrogate large OMICs data sets
  • Build and maintain computational pipelines for the integrative analysis and visualization of Genomics and Proteomics data
  • Oversee data infrastructure and computational environment to ensure robust data management
  • Stay current with scientific literature on targets/diseases of interest and emerging computational methodologies, fostering innovation across the company
  • Communicate data analysis and scientific strategy effectively to internal stakeholders and external partners.
  • Foster Light Horse’s culture of scientific excellence
  • Perform other duties and projects as needed in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Required Qualifications:

  • PhD in Computer Science or Biology with 10+ years of Industry experience in computational biology and strong publication record
  • Experience in Oncology and knowledge of cancer biology with experience in leveraging computational biology to support drug discovery and development
  • Demonstrated expertise in the design and analysis of CRISPR and NGS data
  • Familiar with tools and strategies for multi-omics integration.
  • Experience in implementing, maintaining and running data analysis pipelines using HPC or cloud-based workflows.
  • Strong publication record and history of presenting scientific work at conferences or in strategic meetings
  • Proven record of fostering productive research collaborations and working cooperatively in a matrix environment
  • The individual should be scientifically creative and driven by a willingness to embrace innovation in a fast-paced high energy environment and an eagerness to challenge and meet aggressive timelines

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience developing interactive data visualization and dashboards
  • Experience working in collaboration with structural biology and computational chemistry
  • Familiarity with machine learning and AI applications

Why Join Us?

At Light Horse, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Work with world-class founders and scientists on some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in drug discovery.
  • Shape the trajectory of a rapidly growing biotech at the forefront of chemical biology and precision therapeutics.
  • Be a core contributor in a mission-driven team passionate about developing life-saving medicines.

We offer a competitive total compensation package, as well as working in a supportive team environment.

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, CA is $170,000 to $295,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc

To apply for this position, click the link below to email our hiring team. Please include your resume and references.
Apply for this position
Director/Associate Director Proteomics Platform

San Diego, CA
Full-time

We are seeking a visionary and accomplished Scientific Leader to spearhead our Proteomics platform. This is a high-impact leadership role within our growing organization, where you will lead an in-house expert team of chemoproteomics scientists and work collaboratively across disciplines to propel our discovery pipeline

Job Description:

You will oversee all mass spectrometry and chemoproteomics activities which will impact our drug discovery portfolio of oncology programs, our early discovery pipeline intersecting with our gene editing expertise and contribute to our external collaborations. Your expertise will directly drive the validation and enablement of novel protein targets and accelerate the design of small molecules with transformative potential. Your insights will integrate into the portfolio decision-making process, and you will participate in all stages of drug discovery—from target site identification to candidate nomination.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

  • Embedded in the Chemistry group, build strong partnerships with Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Structural Biology to enable portfolio-facing data generation.
  • Collaborate closely with Discovery Biology and Target Validation teams to ensure the coordination of all proteomics activities supporting the Light Horse early target discovery and advanced discovery pipeline.
  • Guide scientists to enable effective design of experiments, execution of automation, optimize existing sample preparation, data acquisition methods, and data interpretation.
  • Define and execute the long-term proteomics strategy in alignment with company goals and research priorities. Anticipate emerging technologies, trends, and applications in proteomics, positioning the organization at the forefront of innovation.

Operational Oversight

  • Hands-on experience with state-of-the-art proteomic techniques.
  • Overseeing the all proteomics workflows from sample preparation, MS experiments to data analysis and data integration.
  • Responsible for maintaining Mass Spectrometry infrastructure. Ability to diagnose mass spec instrument failures and communicate with external contract team to enable effective hardware repair.
  • Experience in database search algorithms for proteomics (Proteome Discoverer, MaxQuant, MS Fragger, Spectronaut, DIA-NN, and Skyline).

Innovation & Culture

  • Contribute to the broader scientific strategy of Light Horse, fostering a culture of innovation, scientific excellence, and teamwork in a fast-paced startup environment.
  • Champion a culture of scientific curiosity and cross-disciplinary learning.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field with 7+ years of postgraduate experience in MS-based proteomics experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
  • Proven scientific leadership with a track record of successfully impacting a biopharmaceutical research portfolio from early project inception to delivery of a clinical asset.
  • Ability to effectively manage scientific staff across various levels of experience.
  • Proven record of a strong background in chemical biology and flavors of MS-based quantitative proteomics.
  • Strong publication/patent record.
  • Strong business ethics and an active contributor to a supportive work culture.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects in parallel.
  • Collaborative and proactive mindset, aligned with Light Horse’s core values of integrity, excellence, and teamwork.

Why Join Us?

At Light Horse, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Work with world-class founders and scientists on some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in drug discovery.
  • Shape the trajectory of a rapidly growing biotech at the forefront of chemical biology and precision therapeutics.
  • Be a core contributor in a mission-driven team passionate about developing life-saving medicines.


We offer a competitive total compensation package, as well as working in a supportive team environment.

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, CA is $178,000 to $234,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc.

To apply for this position, click the link below to email our hiring team. Please include your resume and references.
Apply for this position
Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Discovery Biology

San Diego, CA
Contract Position

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated research associate/ associate scientist to support target validation efforts through genome-editing and functional genomics. This is a temporary and contract position. The ideal candidate will bring strong molecular and cell biology expertise, thrive in a fast-paced research environment, and demonstrate exceptional attention to experimental detail and data integrity. The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying and characterizing novel therapeutic targets through genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screens, molecular perturbation studies, and advanced cell-based assays.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design and execute CRISPR-Cas9 functional genomic screens employing cutting-edge platforms and multiple phenotypic readouts (e.g., viability, reporter, and expression-based assays).
  • Perform target and site validation in disease-relevant preclinical models using high-throughput and mechanism-focused cellular assays.
  • Conduct mammalian cell culture and maintain large-scale cell line experiments with consistent quality and reproducibility.
  • Execute molecular biology workflows, including DNA/RNA extraction, cloning, PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting, and flow-based analyses.
  • Generate and analyze lentiviral vectors for transduction, selection, and stable cell line establishment.
  • Support NGS-based readout preparation, including library construction and QC.
  • Contribute to experimental design, data interpretation, and troubleshooting in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Maintain accurate, timely, and well-organized experimental documentation in electronic lab notebooks.
  • Communicate experimental results and data summaries effectively in group meetings and technical reviews.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in molecular biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or related field with ≥2 years of hands-on laboratory experience in an academic, biotech, or pharmaceutical setting.
  • Proven proficiency in mammalian cell culture, including large-scale transfection and selection workflows.
  • Strong command of core molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid and protein isolation, PCR/qPCR, cloning, and Western blotting.
  • Demonstrated ability to multitask across parallel projects while maintaining data quality and reproducibility.
  • Exceptional technical execution skills, attention to detail, and experimental rigor.
  • Excellent record-keeping, analytical, and communication skills.
  • Adaptable and self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience performing pooled or arrayed CRISPR-Cas9 screens.
  • Expertise in lentivirus production, infection, and selection of stable cell populations.
  • Experience constructing next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries and managing sequencing data pipelines.
  • Familiarity with high-throughput assay development for cellular growth, signaling, or gene/protein expression.
  • Experience with flow cytometry, including sample preparation, acquisition, and data analysis, is highly desirable.

Why Join Us?

At Light Horse, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Work with world-class founders and scientists on some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in drug discovery.
  • Shape the trajectory of a rapidly growing biotech at the forefront of chemical biology and precision therapeutics.
  • Be a core contributor in a mission-driven team passionate about developing life-saving medicines.
  • Work in a supportive team environment.

 

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, CA is $85,000 to $115,000. This is a temporary and contract position not eligible for benefits. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc.

To apply for this position, click the link below to email our hiring team. Please include your resume and references.
Apply for this position
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