Associate Director, Molecular Pharmacology

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is a clinical-stage company developing orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists as a new class of medicines for the treatment of narcolepsy and potentially other sleep-wake disorders. Centessa’s lead investigational candidate – cleminorexton (formerly ORX
750) – is being developed for narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Centessa’s OX2R agonist portfolio includes additional clinical and preclinical-stage assets with potential utility across a broader range of neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Centessa was recognized as a Great Place to Work in 2026.

We are seeking an Associate Director of Molecular Pharmacology to serve as a senior scientific contributor within the team, reporting to the Head of Molecular Pharmacology. This role will provide deep technical expertise in molecular pharmacology and in vitro translational neuroscience, with a particular focus on functional and affinity modulation assays as well as brain slice electrophysiology, to strengthen mechanistic understanding across discovery programs.

While all experimental work is conducted through external partners, this individual will play a central role in study design, CRO management, data interpretation, and translation of functional data into program strategy.

• Serve as the Molecular Pharmacology team’s subject-matter expert in neuroscience pharmacology, guiding in vitro and ex vivo assay selection, study design, and translational interpretation of results.
• Own the scientific strategy and design of in vitro and ex vivo pharmacology studies, with emphasis on brain slice electrophysiology and circuit-level functional assays executed at CROs.
• Manage external CROs, including protocol development, technical alignment, data review, and troubleshooting to ensure high-quality, fit-for-purpose studies.
• Partner closely with the Director of Molecular Pharmacology and cross-functional colleagues (chemistry, biology, translational, in vivo) to interpret results and inform program decisions.
• Contribute to broader scientific discussions around program direction, helping refine hypotheses and deepen biological understanding.
• Provide scientific guidance and review to junior team members (no direct people management responsibilities).

• PhD in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience (or MS/BS with commensurate industry experience).
• Demonstrated experience with in vitro functional and affinity modulation of GPCR targets in a drug discovery setting, as well as expertise in brain slice electrophysiology and related circuit-level approaches (eg, MEA experience highly desired), including study design, CRO oversight, and data interpretation to support decision-making in drug development programs
• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular pharmacology.
• Experience working with CROs and external research partners.
• Proven ability to connect mechanistic data to in vivo relevance and program decision-making.
• Highly collaborative, scientifically rigorous, and comfortable operating in a matrixed environment.

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,…