Scientist II, In-Vitro & Nonclinical Assay Development

About the Company

Tonix Pharmaceuticals is a fully integrated, commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on central nervous system (CNS) and immunology treatments in areas of high unmet medical need. TONMYA® (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets 2.8 mg) is the first new treatment for fibromyalgia in adults in more than 15 years. Tonix’s CNS commercial infrastructure supports its marketed products, including its acute migraine products, Zembrace® Symtouch® (sumatriptan injection 3 mg) and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray 10 mg). The company is investigating TONMYA® in Phase 2 clinical trials for major depressive disorder and acute stress disorder/acute stress reaction. Tonix is also advancing a pipeline of immunology programs, including TNX-4800, a Phase 2 ready long-acting human anti-Borrelia OspA monoclonal antibody (mAb) for the prevention of Lyme disease in the U.S., and TNX-1500, a Phase 2 ready third-generation CD40 ligand inhibitor for the prevention of kidney transplant rejection. Additionally, the company is progressing TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), which is Phase 2 ready for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare disease.

Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics; their efficacy and safety have not been established and have not been approved for any indication. Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. TONMYA is a registered trademark of Tonix Pharma Limited. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and execute in vitro cell-based and biochemical assays to support drug discovery and preclinical development programs.
• Perform and support DMPK/ADME assays, including permeability, protein binding, metabolic or CYP-related assays, cytotoxicity, and other screening assays as appropriate.
• Develop and evaluate 3D cell culture, spheroid, and organoid-based assay systems for translational and nonclinical studies.
• Support the development and execution of nonclinical assays and models for evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, pharmacology, safety, and mechanism of action.
• Design experiments, develop and optimize protocols, analyze data, troubleshoot assays, and document results in laboratory records and technical reports.
• Maintain mammalian cell culture systems, including established cell lines and primary or specialized cell systems as needed for project-specific assays.
• Apply molecular, biochemical, imaging, and viability-based assay methods, including techniques such as RT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, luminescence-based assays, microscopy, and related analytical readouts.
• Work collaboratively with internal scientists and external partners/CROs to support preclinical and DMPK studies.
• Prepare data summaries, presentations, protocols, reports, and other documentation supporting research programs and regulatory or development activities.
• Maintain accurate records and perform work in accordance with applicable laboratory, quality, and safety procedures.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related life sciences discipline; with 2+ years of relevant experience or an M.S. with 4+ years of relevant research experience.
• Relevant hands-on research experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, government, or academic research environments.
• Experience with in vitro pharmacology, assay development, DMPK/ADME, 3D culture/organoid models, or nonclinical research is preferred.
• Experience generating reproducible experimental data and communicating results to multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

• Strong hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and in vitro assay development.
• Experience designing, optimizing, troubleshooting, and interpreting cell-based, biochemical, or translational assays.
• Familiarity with DMPK/ADME assay concepts and laboratory methods is preferred.
• Experience with 3D culture systems, spheroids, organoids, or other advanced in vitro models is preferred.
• Experience supporting nonclinical or preclinical drug development studies.
• Proficiency with common molecular and biochemical laboratory techniques and quantitative data analysis.
• Strong experimental planning, problem-solving, technical writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in multidisciplinary project teams.

Pay

Salary Range: $100,000 USD - $140,000 USD

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Basic and Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Pet Insurance
• Retirement Savings 401k with company match and annual discretionary stock options
• Generous Paid Time Off, Sick Time, & Paid Holidays
• Career Development and Training