Scientist, Pre-Clinical Biomarkers and Translational Research

At Keros, our mission is to deliver significant clinical benefit to a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) family of proteins. With a focus on developing differentiated product candidates that are designed to alter TGF- signaling, we aim to target the pathways critical for the growth, repair and maintenance of blood cells and a number of tissues, including bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue. We believe our product candidates have the potential to unlock the full therapeutic benefits of modulating the TGF- superfamily and provide disease-modifying benefit to patients.

Job Summary

In the role of Scientist, Preclinical Biomarkers and Translational Research, you will join the Bioanalytical Sciences group to advance novel biologic programs from pre-clinical to clinical development. You will partner closely 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. This is a highly hands-on research position requiring strong scientific judgement, rigorous experimental design, excellent bench and in vivo skills, and clear communication of actionable conclusions.

Primary 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- 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.

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, and other relevant factors.

Potential base pay range

$133,000-$157,000 USD

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mission Statement: Keros is an inclusive company. We believe that diversity drives innovation. We continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. As such, Keros takes a holistic approach in mentoring, coaching, and developing all of our Keros team members.

Keros Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies:

Keros Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than the candidate directly. Any unsolicited submission by an agency to Keros is prohibited. Any resume submitted by an agency without a signed contract or expressed consent by a member of the Keros Therapeutics Human Resources Department, will be considered property of Keros Therapeutics, and no fee shall be owed with respect thereto.