Principal Scientist, Nonclinical Drug Safety Program Discovery

Principal Scientist, Nonclinical Drug Safety Program Discovery

We are seeking a Discovery Program Leader (DPL) to represent Nonclinical Drug Safety (NDS) on discovery research teams and in scientific and strategic review meetings. This position requires exceptional leadership, collaboration, independence, and a passion for discovering novel medicines that improve patients’ lives. The DPL will define and oversee the NDS strategy for programs across modalities—including small molecules, peptides, biologics, and ADCs—from target identification through the approval of first‑in‑human GLP toxicity studies.

They will provide risk assessments, develop de‑risking strategies, and collaborate with NDS staff at other sites to execute studies that support therapeutic target selection and drug candidate development. The DPL may also serve on development teams, define GLP toxicology study strategy, and contribute to non‑clinical safety sections of regulatory documents supporting clinical trials and marketing authorization.

• Represent NDS on discovery teams and participate in therapeutic area discovery governance committee reviews.
• Promote and facilitate creative thinking from target identification and validation through lead optimization, primarily in the immunology therapeutic area, also in oncology, cardiometabolic, infectious disease, and neuroscience.
• Act as a “drug creator” and promoter of innovative thinking by influencing cross‑site disease area aligned groups and functional area disciplines.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with therapeutic targets or development candidates using literature, internal data, and external information.
• Lead early development teams, informing on preclinical studies to support product development.

• PhD in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a related STEM field; DVM, MD, or equivalent.
• Minimum 8+ years of demonstrated pharmaceutical industry experience as a non‑clinical safety scientist (e.g., toxicology, pathology) or as a non‑clinical safety assessment representative to cross‑functional development and/or discovery teams.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate cross‑functional lines and drive team decision‑making in a matrix organization.
• Highly dedicated, motivated, resilient, flexible, capable of creative problem solving, and delivering on goals in a timely fashion.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to establish effective relationships with employees at all levels.

• Background in immunology.
• Experience with biopharmaceutical and small‑molecule development and/or discovery.
• Experience with regulatory submissions and responses.
• Membership in pharmaceutical consortia and/or external scientific or professional organizations.

Salary range: $176,200 – $277,300. Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.