Staff Scientist/ Sr. Staff Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology (industry experience required)

Job Description

Job Description

Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines for patients with the vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused drug discovery company. The company's Native Complex Platform™ recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context. This approach enables novel access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire class of GPCRs. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs with potential for growth to target many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date.

We are excited to expand our multidisciplinary team of individuals focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. At Septerna we strive to embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. To join our ambitious team, be prepared to bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to accomplish our mission. We share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations and cultivate an environment where our employees succeed by learning from each other and working as a team.

We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with talented individuals on the frontlines of therapeutic discovery and development. You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.

For more information see: www.septerna.com.

THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced scientist and dynamic scientific leader. Reporting to the Sr. Director, in vivo pharmacology, this individual will be responsible for establishing and expanding the company's internal capabilities and be hands-on with running pre-clinical studies for programs in multiple therapeutic areas. The Scientist will be responsible primarily for the development and conduct of in vivo and/or ex vivo studies in o support and advance Septerna's small molecule drug discovery pipeline. They will work both independently and collaboratively as part of a matrixed inter-disciplinary team to develop preclinical in vivo models of disease to understand the therapeutic mechanism of action of Septerna's drug candidates. The successful candidate will serve as the biology lead on cross-functional project teams and may have opportunities to lead drug discovery programs from early discovery through IND filing.

The position is based in South San Francisco, CA. Title and compensation commensurate with experience.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and execute in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro studies to inform therapeutic programs
• Generate, analyze, and interpret complex data to establish functional PK/PD relationships and elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of action of drug candidates
• Serve as Biology lead on multiple project teams, trouble-shoot experiments, analyze and interpret data and work cross functionally with colleagues to help advance therapeutic programs
• Help build and expand in vivo pharmacology and biomarker discovery capabilities
• Author in vivo/ex vivo protocols, and study reports to support regulatory filings
• Follow all company policies/practices, and maintain accurate records and notebooks

Required education, skills and experience

• PhD or MSc in Metabolic Disorders, Endocrinology, Pharmacology, Immunology / Inflammation, or related biological science field
• At least 8 years (or 12 years with MSc) direct hands-on experience in drug discovery and development leveraging in vivo metabolic and/or endocrine disease models in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
• Ability to be hands-on, working in the vivarium and lab, writing protocols, and executing studies
• Direct experimental experience and demonstrated expertise developing PK/PD, efficacy, and cell and tissue-based pharmacology or disease biology models
• Experience working on project teams with functional responsibility to organize, analyze, interpret, and present data
• Experience working with vendors and CROs to execute studies externally, analyze data, and generate reports
• Detail-oriented and organized, with strong interpersonal skills for clear and effective communication – ability to proactively engage and collaboration with colleagues and mentor more junior staff

Preferred skills and experience

• Experience bringing programs through in vivo proof of concept and into the clinic
• Experience working with primary cells, ex vivo disease models, or in vivo species is a plus
• Evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of multi-omics and complex data sets
• Experience with biomarker development (pharmacodynamic, predictive, and safety) to inform clinical translation and patient selection strategies
• Previous work leading a program in therapeutic discovery/development
• Experience mentoring more junior scientists, leading cross-functional project teams, and a track record of successful managing external teams or CROs

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $150,000 - $180,000. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location and relevant education or training. Septerna's compensation package also includes benefits, stock options, and annual target bonus for full-time positions.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. The company will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited.

Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. The company will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. Septerna participates in the E-Verify program. California Consumer Privacy Act Privacy Notice For Job Applicants. If you are a California resident, click here for our CCPA Notice.