Scientist II, Lead Generation Biology

Who We Are Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie) About The Role An integral member of the Lead Generation Biology team that will design, optimize, execute, and troubleshoot complex biochemical and cell-based assays across multiple discovery projects. The role will have significant hands-on responsibility for establishing robust routine assays in biologically relevant cell systems, generating high-quality and reproducible data, and quantitatively analyzing and summarizing results to inform project decisions. The successful candidate will communicate findings and recommendations to biology and multidisciplinary project teams, contribute scientific insight to experimental strategy and next steps, and bring relevant subject matter expertise to the projects they support. The role works across a broad range of assay technologies/platforms and automated equipment in a collaborative and dynamic environment and contributes to process efficiency and research quality. _ Your Contributions (include, But Are Not Limited To) Independently develop, optimize, troubleshoot and routinely execute complex biochemical and cell-based assays to evaluate small molecules, peptides and antibodies from hit-to-lead up through development candidate selectionApply quantitative pharmacology and rigorous data-quality practices to analyze concentration-response relationships, assay performance, reproducibility, and biological relevance; recognize anomalous results, identify sources of variability, and recommend appropriate follow-up experimentsPerforms molecular biology techniques as needed to understand MOA, such as Western blotting and transient transfections, and other techniques as neededSupport assay transfer and external studies with CROs or collaborators by executing internal bridging work, reviewing protocols and data, and troubleshooting technical issuesPartner closely with disease-biology scientists and multidisciplinary project teams to translate biological questions and hypotheses into fit-for-purpose in vitro assay strategies and experimental plansResearch other internal team's work/experiments relevant to target identificationMay participate in patent and publication preparationContinually provides recommendations to improve process efficiency and research qualityStay current with relevant scientific literature, disease biology, assay technologies, and internal best practices to inform assay design, optimization, and interpretation of resultsResearch national and international guidance documentation in justification of analytical limits, acceptance criteria, testing parameters and method validation and executionDocuments research and conducts work in a safe manner in accordance with company and departmental guidelinesMaintain accurate electronic laboratory records, protocols, and data packages; analyze, summarize, and clearly communicate results, assay performance, technical risks, and recommended next experiments at biology and project-team meetings, using the data to contribute meaningfully to project decisionsOther duties as assigned Requirements BS/BA degree in scientific field and 4+ years of in vitro pharmacology experience; Preferred experience includes: primary cell culture, especially CNS, and related assay development, liquid handling automation and LIMS systems, and related in vitro assays ORMS/MA degree in scientific field and 2+ years of similar experience noted above ORPhD in biology or related field preferred and some experience similar experience noted aboveWorks effectively across functions and builds productive scientific partnerships with disease-biology and project-team colleaguesIndependently plans and executes experiments while balancing routine assay delivery, assay optimization, and multiple project prioritiesDemonstrated ability to analyze complex data, translate experimental results into biological insights, and clearly communicate implications and recommendations to multidisciplinary project teamsMaintains current scientific knowledge and develops deep expertise in the biological mechanisms, assay approaches, and technologies relevant to assigned projectsExperience developing, optimizing, and routinely executing cell-based and biochemical assays; experience with flow cytometry, ELISA, HTRF, AlphaLISA, Meso-Scale Discovery (MSD), Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI), or related technologies preferredHands-on experience with primary mammalian cell culture, including immune-relevant cells such as PBMCs or monocyte/macrophage systems and/or CNS-relevant cell types; experience with complex or co-culture systems is desirableWorking knowledge of cellular immunology, inflammatory signaling, and/or CNS biology, with the ability to translate biological mechanisms and hypotheses into robust, decision-enabling in vitro assaysWorking knowledge of liquid handling automation and LIMS systemsCollaborative and highly motivatedDemonstrates solid level of understanding project / group goals and methodsConsistently recognizes anomalous and inconsistent results and interprets experimental outcomesAble to explain the process behind the data and implications of the resultsStrong knowledge of one or more scientific disciplines, becoming expert in one disciplineStrong knowledge of scientific principles, methods and techniques Strong knowledge and demonstrated ability working with a variety of laboratory equipment/toolsAbility to work as part of a team; may train lower levelsStrong communications, problem-solving, analytical thinking skillsDetail oriented yet can see broader picture of scientific impact on teamAbility to meet multiple deadlines, with a high degree of accuracy and efficiencyStrong project management skills Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer. We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description. _ The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $110,800.00-$151,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 20% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.