Scientist, Pre-Clinical Biomarkers and Translational Research

About the role

Join the Bioanalytical Sciences group to advance novel biologic programs from pre-clinical to clinical development. Partner with Biology, Toxicology, and other cross-functional teams to translate biological questions into biomarker strategies; design and execute hypothesis-driven studies; develop fit-for-purpose assays; analyze preclinical samples; and interpret results in the context of TGF-beta superfamily biology, mechanism of action, PK/PD, efficacy, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Biology, Toxicology and other cross-functional teams to identify critical biological questions and establish biomarker strategies for target engagement, pharmacodynamic activity, efficacy, disease biology, and potential safety findings.
• Independently generate scientific hypotheses and design, execute, and interpret in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies that clarify mechanism of action and support program decisions.
• Develop, optimize, qualify, and troubleshoot fit-for-purpose biomarker assays using relevant platforms such as ELISA/MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, multicolor flow cytometry, and cell-based assays.
• Perform hands-on analysis of serum, plasma, tissue, and cellular samples from preclinical studies, including tissue processing, tissue dissociation, primary cell isolation, and ex vivo functional analyses.
• Evaluate commercial kits, antibodies, reagents, and assay platforms; develop custom methods when needed; and ensure assay performance, reproducibility, data integrity, and appropriate documentation.
• Present study designs, data, interpretations, limitations, and recommendations at project team meetings and contribute to study reports, technical documents, publications, and patent-related activities.
• Support assay transfer and external CRO activities under the guidance of the Director of Bioanalysis, as needed.

Core Competencies (Required Skills)

• Strong research ability, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, assay troubleshooting, and critical data interpretation
• Good understanding of TGF-β superfamily biology, related signaling pathways, and their roles in disease mechanisms
• Hands-on experience within vivo models, tissue collection and processing, and preclinical sample analysis
• Technical expertise in relevant methods such as ELISA, MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and mammalian cell culture, and experience developing and optimizing biomarker assays
• Strong quantitative analysis and data visualization skills using GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, or comparable software, with careful attention to reproducibility and data integrity
• Strong collaboration, scientific communication, documentation, and data-presentation skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting biologic drug-discovery programs
• Experience applying TGF-beta pathway biology to preclinical, target validation, mechanism-of-action, or biomarker studies
• Experience with MSD, Luminex, multiplex assays, flow cytometry
• Experience with primary cells, ex vivo assays, gene perturbation, or novel disease-model development

Education Requirements

Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline, with at least 2 years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral research experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.