Senior Research Scientist - Neuroscience

Senior Research Scientist - Neuroscience

New Haven, CT

Arvinas is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing therapies that degrade disease-causing proteins. The company uses its PROTAC Discovery Engine to engineer PROTACs that harness the body’s protein disposal system to selectively degrade disease-causing proteins.

This approach supports a broad pipeline of investigational therapies across oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. Arvinas achieved a major milestone in May 2026 with FDA approval of a PROTAC protein degrader therapy. The approved therapy has been out-licensed for commercialization and further development.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research Scientist/Senior Research Scientist to lead and execute cellular and tissue-based target engagement studies of small molecule ligands and targeted protein degraders (e.g., PROTACs). This role will advance degrader discovery programs for CNS indications by developing, implementing, and scaling quantitative assays to assess compound binding, ternary complex formation, and functional engagement in physiologically relevant systems, including human-derived tissues and cellular models.

This role helps establish and scale target engagement capabilities for CNS degrader discovery, influencing compound optimization and translational decision-making across neuroscience programs.

This position reports to the Director of Neuroscience and will be located at our headquarters in New Haven, CT.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop, optimize, and validate cellular and biochemical assays to measure target engagement and degradation driven by small molecules and degraders.
• Design and execute fit-for-purpose studies to evaluate binary target engagement and ternary complex formation in cellular and tissue-based systems using technologies such as TR-FRET, NanoBRET, AlphaLISA, luciferase-based assays, biotinylated probes, photoaffinity labeling, and related approaches.
• Apply appropriate controls, counter-screens, and orthogonal readouts to evaluate assay specificity, reproducibility, robustness, and potential artifacts.
• Adapt assays for medium- to high-throughput screening to support compound profiling, degrader optimization, and screening campaigns.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with medicinal chemistry and platform biology teams to guide optimization of ligands and degraders based on engagement and degradation data.
• Analyze, interpret, and integrate complex datasets across multiple assay platforms to guide data-driven project decisions.
• Organize experimental results for project teams and maintain clear experimental records using an electronic lab notebook (ELN).
• Act as an active, valued team member who drives data-driven decisions and stays current with emerging technologies in targeted protein degradation and neurodegeneration research.

Qualifications

• Deep hands-on experience (3+ years) developing and executing cellular or tissue-based assays for small-molecule target engagement, degradation, or specificity assessment.
• Expertise with plate-based assay development, including assay design, optimization, troubleshooting, validation, control selection, reproducibility assessment, and artifact identification.
• Experience using probe-based or proximity-based strategies (e.g., biotinylated probes, photoaffinity labeling, NanoBRET, TR-FRET, AlphaLISA, luciferase-based assays).
• Experience adapting assays for robustness, scalability, miniaturization, and multi-well plate formats to support profiling or screening workflows.
• Strong data analysis skills using tools such as Prism, Gene Data, Python, or R.
• Track record of scientific contributions (publications, patents, or program impact) and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Background in neurodegenerative disease biology (e.g., tau, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, amyloid-beta) strongly desired.
• Experience working with rodent and human-derived tissues (e.g., post-mortem brain) is a plus.
• Familiarity with biophysical binding assays (SPR, MST, FP) and orthogonal validation strategies is a plus.
• Arvinas will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
• The duties of this role are generally conducted in a lab environment. The role may require lifting/carrying up to 15/30 pounds, working around biological and hazardous materials, PPE use, computer use, and collaboration with others during standard business hours.

Education

• BS/MS with 8+ years or Ph.D. with 3+ years of pharma/biotech/academic laboratory experience.
• Background in protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions is required.

Arvinas is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.