Scientist, Pre-Clinical Biomarkers and Translational Research Uni

Scientist, Pre-Clinical Biomarkers and Translational Research

Lexington, Massachusetts, United States

At Keros, our mission is to deliver significant clinical benefit to a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) family of proteins. With a focus on developing differentiated product candidates that are designed to alter TGF-β signaling, we aim to target the pathways critical for the growth, repair and maintenance of blood cells and a number of tissues, including bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue.

We believe our product candidates have the potential to unlock the full therapeutic benefits of modulating the TGF-β superfamily and provide disease-modifying benefit to patients.

Job Summary

In the role of Scientist, Preclinical Biomarkers and Translational Research, you will join the Bioanalytical Sciences group to advance novel biologic programs from pre-clinical to clinical development. You will partner closely with Biology, Toxicology, and other cross-functional teams to translate biological questions into biomarker strategies; design and execute hypothesis-driven studies; develop fit-for-purpose assays; analyze preclinical samples; and interpret results in the context of TGF-beta superfamily biology, mechanism of action, PK/PD, efficacy, and safety.

This is a highly hands-on research position requiring strong scientific judgement, rigorous experimental design, excellent bench and in vivo skills, and clear communication of actionable conclusions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Biology, Toxicology and other cross-functional teams to identify critical biological questions and establish biomarker strategies for target engagement, pharmacodynamic activity, efficacy, disease biology, and potential safety findings.
• Independently generate scientific hypotheses and design, execute, and interpret in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies that clarify mechanism of action and support program decisions.
• Develop, optimize, qualify, and troubleshoot fit-for-purpose biomarker assays using relevant platforms such as ELISA/MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, multicolor flow cytometry, and cell-based assays.
• Perform hands-on analysis of serum, plasma, tissue, and cellular samples from preclinical studies, including tissue processing, tissue dissociation, primary cell isolation, and ex vivo functional analyses.
• Evaluate commercial kits, antibodies, reagents, and assay platforms; develop custom methods when needed; and ensure assay performance, reproducibility, data integrity, and appropriate documentation.
• Present study designs, data, interpretations, limitations, and recommendations at project team meetings and contribute to study reports, technical documents, publications, and patent-related activities.
• Support assay transfer and external CRO activities under the guidance of the Director of Bioanalysis, as needed.

Core Competencies (Required Skills)

• Strong research ability, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, assay troubleshooting, and critical data interpretation
• Good understanding of TGF-β superfamily biology, related signaling pathways, and their roles in disease mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience within vivo models, tissue collection and processing, and preclinical sample analysis.
• Technical expertise in relevant methods such as ELISA, MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and mammalian cell culture, and experience developing and optimizing biomarker assays.
• Strong quantitative analysis and data visualization skills using Graph Pad Prism, Flow Jo, or comparable software, with careful attention to reproducibility and data integrity.
• Strong collaboration, scientific communication, documentation, and data-presentation skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting biologic drug-discovery programs.
• Experience applying TGF-beta pathway biology to preclinical, target validation, mechanism-of-action, or biomarker studies.
• Experience with MSD, Luminex, multiplex assays, flow cytometry.
• Experience with primary cells, ex vivo assays, gene perturbation, or novel disease-model development.

Education…