We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Scientist to join our Preclinical Pharmacology team in Lexington, MA. This is a hands-on laboratory role supporting both in vivo and in vitro pharmacology studies, with a primary focus on immunology, inflammation, metabolic disease, fibrosis, and other non-tumor therapeutic areas.
The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with mouse studies and preclinical pharmacology, including animal dosing, sample collection, disease model execution, and therapeutic efficacy evaluation. This individual will also support cell-based assays and analytical methods such as ELISA, MSD, and qPCR.
This role is well suited for someone who is comfortable working in a fast-paced CRO environment where multiple studies and client projects may be conducted simultaneously.
Key Responsibilities
In Vivo Pharmacology
- Execute and support in vivo efficacy studies using non-tumor disease models, including immunology, inflammation, metabolic disease, fibrosis, and autoimmune disease models.
- Perform routine animal procedures including handling, health monitoring, PO/IP/SC/IV dosing, blood collection, necropsy, and tissue collection.
- Establish, maintain, and execute mouse disease models to support preclinical drug development programs.
- Evaluate therapeutic efficacy using appropriate clinical, biochemical, histological, and molecular endpoints.
- Support study planning, dose formulation, dosing schedules, and biological sample collection strategies.
- Conduct and support pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies, including biological sample collection and processing.
- Maintain accurate study records, raw data, sample inventories, and experimental documentation.
- Identify and communicate unexpected findings, study deviations, or technical issues to the study director.
Cell-Based & In Vitro Assays
- Perform cell-based assays to support drug screening, efficacy evaluation, and mechanism-of-action studies.
- Culture and maintain mammalian cell lines and primary cells as needed.
- Conduct laboratory assays including ELISA, MSD, qPCR, cytokine assays, inflammatory biomarker assays, and other biochemical or cellular methods.
- Process and analyze biological samples collected from in vivo studies.
- Support assay development, optimization, troubleshooting, and implementation of new methods.
- Assist with data analysis, interpretation, and preparation of study reports.
Study Execution & Collaboration
- Work closely with study directors, scientists, and other team members to execute client studies accurately and efficiently.
- Manage multiple studies and experimental priorities while meeting project timelines.
- Follow established SOPs, study protocols, animal welfare requirements, and laboratory safety procedures.
- Contribute to troubleshooting and continuous improvement of experimental methods and study workflows.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Pharmacology, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience with mouse studies and in vivo experimental procedures.
- Experience with animal handling, dosing, blood collection, tissue collection, and necropsy.
- Experience establishing or executing mouse disease models strongly preferred.
- Experience with cell culture and in vitro laboratory techniques.
- Working knowledge of ELISA, MSD, qPCR, or similar molecular and biochemical assays.
- Experience with PK/PD studies and biological sample processing preferred.
- Experience with metabolic disease models, including obesity, diabetes, NASH/MASH, or related models, is highly desirable.
- Experience with fibrosis models involving liver, lung, kidney, or other organs is highly desirable.
- Experience supporting therapeutic efficacy studies for cell therapies, including CAR-T therapies, is a plus.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately collect, organize, and document experimental data.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Hands-on, adaptable, and comfortable working on multiple projects in a fast-paced CRO environment.