Drug Discovery Scientist

About the Work Unit

The Drug Discovery Scientist is part of the Basic Sciences Pod 3 in the School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for designing, developing and conducting experiments. This position requires excellent communication skills, including presenting verbal and written reports to the project team. The highly motivated scientist will be an integral part of the drug discovery team and be willing to assist in other responsibilities.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator or project leader, the Drug Discovery works with faculty, staff, and other members of the Team.

Every major advance in medicine starts with fundamental discoveries that teach us how living organisms work in both health and disease. These discoveries are made in biomedical sciences laboratories that study life at all levels from the individual molecules that encode heredity to the complex associations of cells that form tissues and organs. Vanderbilt Basic Sciences is a tightly integrated research and education division within the School of Medicine comprising four academic departments, eight interdisciplinary centers, twenty‑seven service core facilities, and the Office of Biomedical Research, Education, and Training.

Our team of over 1000 faculty, fellows, students, and staff is making new discoveries every day - discoveries that enrich our understanding of biological processes and provide the foundation for new insights into the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases.

• Overseeing/facilitating the design, execution, analysis, and reporting of a wide range of small molecule discovery‑stage in vivo DMPK assays and studies (non‑GLP). Maintain up to date, accurate, and standardized records of experiments/assays.
• Shared supervision and management of research assistants, laboratory operations/instrumentation, and DMPK group resources and deliverables.
• Write and submit IACUC protocols and manage existing protocols. Interact with the IACUC and Animal Facility personnel to resolve potential issues and day‑to‑day operation.
• Handle small animals and prepare them for DMPK experiments. Administer small molecule compounds PO, IP, IV or SC. Draw blood at specific time points and prepare plasma for shipping to DMPK lab. Collect tissues as requested by DMPK lab.
• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, biohazardous materials and fluids/tissues, and/or carcinogens).
• Representation of DMPK on multiple drug discovery program teams, including participation in recurring meetings/TCs (infrequent travel requirements).
• Obtaining DMPK data via a network of domestic and international contract research organizations (CROs), including coordination of contracts and shipping logistics.
• Train new personnel.

This position does have supervisory responsibility; the position reports administratively and functionally to the Principal Investigator.

• Ph.D. degree in pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a similar position within a pharmaceutical company, biotechnology company, or academic drug discovery organization is required.
• Strong organizational, inter‑personal/communication, and analytical skills with the ability to manage several responsibilities simultaneously in a fast‑paced and dynamic work environment.
• In‑depth knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and biochemistry/enzymology; familiarity with PK related FDA/EMA regulatory guidance.
• Experience with use of Prism (or related), and other standard laboratory/office computer programs (e.g., MS Office) for analysis and reporting of DMPK data.
• Ability to work independently (i.e., self‑motivated) with low supervision, flexible hours, and on repetitive tasks with a shared respect for the long‑term goals and mission of the organization.

• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and make improvements without taking it…