Position Summary
An emerging biotech company located in Los Angeles is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead and expand in vivo pharmacology efforts. This individual will design, execute, and analyze preclinical in vivo studies to support early development programs, guiding therapeutic candidates toward clinical evaluation. You will work alongside an experienced, multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and oversee in vivo pharmacology studies assessing efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of novel drug candidates.
- Manage all aspects of animal studies, including protocol development, execution, data collection, and interpretation.
- Develop and refine disease models relevant to CNS disorders.
- Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to research associates and junior scientists.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with discovery biology, chemistry, and translational teams to inform candidate selection and optimization.
- Present experimental findings and strategic recommendations to internal project teams and leadership.
- Contribute to regulatory documentation, including study reports and IND-enabling submissions.
- Stay current with scientific literature and apply new methodologies to advance research goals.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biology, or a related life science field, with 5+ years of relevant industry or academic experience; exceptional Master's degree candidates with extensive leadership experience will be considered.
- Deep understanding of CNS biology and neurodegenerative or neuroinflammatory disease mechanisms.
- Proven expertise in rodent in vivo models, including dosing (IV, IP, SC, ICV), behavioral assessments, and tissue/biofluid collection.
- Skilled in processing biological samples for downstream analyses such as histology, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and imaging.
- Experience with biologics (antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides) and their in vivo delivery is highly preferred.
- Strong data analysis skills and proficiency with relevant software.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage timelines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with CNS delivery technologies.
- Experience preparing documentation for regulatory submissions (e.g., IND).
- Familiarity with GLP/GCP standards for preclinical studies.