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 the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge, and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum—from early research through late-stage clinical development. We are building for the future by creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas.

We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

The Principal Scientist will provide scientific leadership in the identification, validation, and advancement of new drug targets related to obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The role drives in vivo pharmacology strategies across early and late-stage obesity pipeline programs, enabling translation of novel biology into therapeutic opportunities. As a subject matter expert, the individual will define experimental strategies, guide cross-functional teams, evaluate emerging targets and technologies, and lead external collaborations.

The role also includes mentoring colleagues and representing the organization through high-impact scientific contributions.

The Principal Scientist will provide strategic guidance to project teams, evaluate emerging targets and technologies, and propose and oversee external collaborations and strategic partnerships. The Principal Scientist will be responsible for in vivo pharmacology supporting both early and late obesity pipeline programs and mentor junior colleagues in the department. Furthermore, the Principal Scientist will represent the organization to the external scientific community through communication of highly impactful research.

Reports to the Director of Obesity Pharmacology (US). Internal relationships include working closely with technical staff and other members of the scientific leadership team, regular collaborations with members of other research departments, and frequent interaction with project managers and colleagues across global R&D. The individual may mentor team members and will interact with external research collaborators from both academia and industry.

Demonstrate proven subject matter expertise and scientific excellence in cardiometabolic biology, including obesity, MASH, and CVD. Demonstrate specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise and actively engage with key areas relevant to pharmaceutical drug development. Identify and drive novel hypotheses toward a next generation of medicines to combat obesity and related comorbidities, with a focus on superior tolerability profiles. Extensive experience working in a matrix organization driving cross-collaborations with different line of businesses and key stakeholders.

Plan and design in vivo pharmacology studies in collaboration with technical scientists; advise on experimental execution, interpretation, and communication of results from complex, state-of-the-art in vivo experiments related to obesity, CVD, and MASH. Provide expert-level guidance to project teams on experimental strategies to evaluate emerging targets, biology, and technologies. Collaborate effectively across global sites to set project strategy by leading cross-functional project teams spanning in vitro, omics, translational, and clinical disciplines.

Contribute subject matter expertise to develop the research agenda, with clear understanding of the link between scientific goals and overall long-term business needs. Propose new projects that support the strategic agenda and address gaps in technological capabilities and therapeutic areas related to obesity and appetite regulation. Represent the organization through external communication of impactful scientific research via presentations at…