Associate Principal Scientist – Cellular Pharmacology and Lead Discovery

Job Description

Our company's Research Laboratories in South San Francisco is seeking an Associate Principal Scientist with strong expertise in translational cell models, mechanistic pharmacology, and biomarker and lead discovery to join our Quantitative Biosciences (Pharmacology) department. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, execution, and interpretation of complex in vitro/ex vivo assays and mechanistic experimentation to advance early drug discovery projects from target concept through lead optimization. The candidate will work closely with a team of multidisciplinary scientists to enable model development, assay execution and screening, as well as mechanistic studies to advance a diverse drug discovery pipeline targeting obesity, immune-metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders. In addition, this role will participate in novel technology evaluation, business development diligence, and internal/external collaborations. We value rigorous scientific exploration, creative-thinking, teamwork, and transparent communication. If you are a highly motivated individual and team player with a strong desire to impact cardiovascular and metabolic drug discovery, we invite you to consider joining our team.

Key responsibilities:

• Support pharmacology strategies targeting obesity, immuno-metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases to enable a robust drug discovery pipeline.

• Develop and implement potency, selectivity, and mechanistic assays to characterize molecules targeting diverse targets, pathways, and areas of biology.

• Design and execute complex cell assays using diverse model systems and advanced technologies to support translational research and biomarker discovery.

• Serve as a core member in matrixed project teams and governance committees to enable pharmacology strategy and provide robust scientific and technical support.

• Ensure high-quality and timely data generation, analysis, and reporting to project teams, governance bodies, and regulatory agencies.

• Drive scientific innovation and champion new enabling technologies and methods to enhance functional capabilities and productivity.

• Collaborate extensively across our company's network and with external partners to drive project progression toward key milestones and contribute to business development diligence.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Cell Biology or relevant scientific discipline with a minimum of five (5) years of drug discovery experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting

Required Experience and Skills:

• Solid understanding of drug discovery strategies and processes from target identification and validation to preclinical candidate selection

• Demonstrated quantitative pharmacology expertise with accompanying knowledge in cardiovascular and metabolic disease pathways and mechanisms

• Highly skilled in physiologically relevant assay development (primary cells, co-culture, etc.) for cardiometabolic disease molding, translational pharmacology, and biomarker discovery

• Experienced in lead optimization and SAR support, plate-based detection methods, and the utilization of advanced lab automation

• Proficiency with automated data processing, curve fitting, and visualization software tools

• Excellent organization and communication skills with a strong growth mindset

• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment to influence strategy and tactics to advance drug discovery

• Proven record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or patent literatures

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Prior working experience with multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, peptide, biologics, etc.)

• Prior experience of leading drug discovery projects and/or mentoring junior staff

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In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separationpackage, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

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Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders).  Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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