Senior Research Scientist - Neuroscience

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 play a central part in advancing degrader molecule 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 is an opportunity to help establish and scale target engagement capabilities for CNS degrader discovery, directly influencing compound optimization and translational decision-making across neuroscience programs. This position reports to our Director of Neuroscience and will be located at our headquarters in New Haven, CT.

Key responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, optimize, and validate cellular and biochemical assays to measure target engagement and degradation driven by small molecules and targeted protein 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 probe-based or proximity-based 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 both 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 to be shared with project teams; maintain clear experimental records using ELN (electronic lab notebook).
• Seek to be an impactful and valued member of the team who drives data-driven decisions and stays current with emerging technologies in targeted protein degradation and neurodegeneration research.

• Deep hands‑on experience (3+ years) developing and executing cellular or tissue-based assays for small-molecule target engagement, degradation, or specificity assessment.
• Demonstrated 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, such as biotinylated probes, photoaffinity labeling, NanoBRET, TR-FRET, AlphaLISA, luciferase-based assays, or related approaches.
• Experience adapting assays for robustness, scalability, miniaturization, and multi‑well plate formats to support compound 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) a plus.
• Familiarity with biophysical binding assays (SPR, MST, FP) and orthogonal validation strategies 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. Employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to lift/carry 15/30 pounds unassisted/assisted; work comfortable in a controlled environment with and around biological, infectious and hazardous materials; gown/degown PPE; use a…