Scientist, Pre-Clinical Biomarkers and Translational Research

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 Requirements

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline, with at least 2 years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral research experience, or a Master's degree with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.

Potential base pay range

$133,000 - $157,000 USD

Keros Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.