Principal Scientist - Global Drug Discovery, Obesity Pharmacology

Principal Scientist - Global Drug Discovery, Obesity Pharmacology (US)

Facility:
Research

Location:

Lexington, MA, US

Our Research & Development organization brings together top experts in life‑science innovation across Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge, and Plainsboro. The team progresses from early research to late‑stage clinical development, collaborating across modalities and therapeutic areas.

The Principal Scientist leads the scientific strategy for identifying, validating, and advancing new drug targets in obesity and obesity‑related comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Responsibilities include designing and executing in vivo pharmacology studies, guiding cross‑functional teams, evaluating emerging targets and technologies, and fostering external collaborations.

Reports to the Director of Obesity Pharmacology (US). Works closely with technical staff, scientific leaders, project managers, and external collaborators from academia and industry.

• Demonstrate deep expertise in cardiometabolic biology, including obesity, MASH, and CVD.
• Apply specialized knowledge to key areas of pharmaceutical drug development.
• Identify and advance novel hypotheses for next‑generation medicines with superior tolerability.
• Drive cross‑collaboration in a matrix organization with multiple line of businesses and stakeholders.
• Plan and design in vivo pharmacology studies with technical scientists; advise on execution, interpretation, and communication of results.
• Provide expert guidance to project teams on emerging targets, biology, and technologies.
• Lead global, cross‑functional project teams encompassing in vitro, omics, translational, and clinical disciplines.
• Contribute subject‑matter expertise to define the research agenda aligned with long‑term business needs.
• Initiate new projects that support the strategic agenda and fill gaps in capabilities and therapeutic areas related to obesity.
• Represent the organization in external scientific communications, including conferences, publications, and patent activity.
• Maintain deep theoretical knowledge and stay connected to emerging literature and technologies.
• Guide and lead experimental teams to achieve project goals.
• Provide mentorship and training to colleagues.
• Identify and establish relationships with key opinion leaders and academic partners.
• Advise other teams on suitable assays and techniques to translate in vivo findings into pipeline progress.

• PhD with 10+ years of relevant industry or post‑doctoral experience (required).
• Master’s degree with 16+ years relevant experience (considered).
• Bachelor’s degree with 22+ years relevant experience (considered).
• Extensive hands‑on expertise in in vivo models related to obesity, CVD, and MASH.
• Experience with women’s health is highly desirable.
• Technical expertise and meticulousness in planning and designing complex in vivo models.
• Prior experience using small molecules and/or siRNA in obesity pharmacology drug discovery, including telemetry, liver elastography, metabolic cages, and alternative rodent routes of administration (PO, SC, IV, minipump).
• Proven success leading drug discovery programs in cardiometabolic biology, including target identification, target‑engagement markers, and collaboration with translational and clinical teams.
• Experience applying human genetics and omics approaches for target discovery or identification.

• Experience working with external CROs and/or academic collaborators.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The role requires occasional travel, including international travel expected to be less than 10%. No additional physical requirements beyond standard office and laboratory activities.

Base salary range: $180,000 to $235,000, with eligibility for a company bonus and long‑term incentive compensation. Company vehicles may be provided at certain levels.

Eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) plan; flexible spending accounts; employee…