Senior Director, DMPK Project Leader

Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: CNTA) is a new kind of pharmaceutical company with a deconstructed R&D environment that prioritizes data‑driven decision making led by subject‑matter experts. Centessa is advancing a portfolio of high‑conviction programs with strong biological validation.

Our asset‑centric model offers a unique R&D logic that has been applied by single‑asset companies to improve productivity. This operating model has minimal centralized infrastructure, reduced hierarchy, and exclusive focus on data‑driven capital allocation. Our teams are uniquely incentivized to expeditiously interrogate key scientific hypotheses. We believe the asset‑centric model can lead to improved success rates for programs with greater speed and modest costs.

Senior Director, DMPK Project Leader ensures delivery of all DMPK related activities working collaboratively as part of a cross‑functional program team. These include nonclinical PK experiments, in vitro ADME, biotransformation studies, bioanalytical and toxicokinetic analysis. This role supports understanding pharmacokinetic, toxicokinetic, and ADME principles to enable progression of drug candidates across the portfolio. A qualified candidate will have previous experience in PK modeling ideally for CNS drug candidates and a basic understanding of vital ADME properties for CNS drug candidate progression.

Furthermore, a qualified candidate will have end‑to‑end experience in drug discovery and development; will be able to partner with both discovery and development teams to enable the identification of lead candidates with optimal DMPK properties for progression into nonclinical development and the progression of lead candidates into clinical development.

• Deliver high‑quality DMPK input and data to projects within established timelines
• Utilize knowledge of DMPK to support/influence compound profiling, project progression and project strategy
• Proactively calculate PK and toxicokinetic parameters, estimate safety margins and report results and interpretations to project teams and internal governance bodies
• Lead, coordinate, and engage with DMPK colleagues, clinical pharmacologists, and toxicologists in project related activities
• Prepare clear presentations related to the above for internal governance bodies

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology or a related scientific field
• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting
• Expert in DMPK sciences with knowledge of drug discovery and development processes
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Experience in DMPK project leadership
• Previous work in the discovery and/or development of CNS drug candidates
• Experience with regulatory submissions for small molecules
• Knowledge, experience, and proficiency in supporting GLP‑compliant studies
• Good knowledge of all DMPK assays including the use of insilico tools for PK prediction
• Proficiency with Phoenix Win Nonlin and other software for NCA and PK modeling in small molecule drug discovery and development
• Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally and communicate scientific findings clearly and effectively
• Collaborative mindset and operates with a sense of urgency

The annual base salary range for this position is $ to $. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and job knowledge.

In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and participation in our equity program, allowing you to share in Centessa’s long‑term success.

Centessa also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company‑sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program.

The Senior Director, DMPK Project Lead role is a remote role based in the US, with occasional travel.

Full‑Time, Exempt

Centessa Pharmaceuticals believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Centessa Pharmaceuticals will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note:

We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.