Pioneering Medicines: Senior Principal Scientist, In Vitro Pharmacology

About the role

You will spearhead the conception and execution of cutting-edge in vitro pharmacology strategies that define the feasibility and direction of high-impact therapeutic programs. In this capacity, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of cell-based assay development, from initial scientific hypothesis through to robust, regulatory-grade validation. You will act as the primary scientific authority for in vitro pharmacology, translating complex biological mechanisms into actionable data for cross-functional drug discovery teams. Furthermore, you will foster deep collaborative partnerships with therapeutic area specialists to ensure that pharmacology strategies are optimally aligned with specific program goals and external partnership frameworks. You will champion the integration of novel biological insights and advanced technologies to solve critical scientific challenges in drug discovery. Ultimately, your work will directly influence the selection and advancement of candidates destined to become life-changing medicines for patients worldwide.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and lead the development of sophisticated in vitro pharmacology assays that de-risk drug discovery programs and facilitate critical go/no-go decisions.
• Engineer innovative mechanistic assays to dissect target engagement, pathway modulation, and cellular phenotypic outcomes across diverse therapeutic modalities.
• Orchestrate the strategic utilization of primary human immune cells, sophisticated co-culture systems, and engineered cell platforms to model complex disease biology.
• Define and implement fit-for-purpose assay validation protocols ensuring data quality, reproducibility, and scientific rigor that withstand regulatory scrutiny.
• Synthesize and integrate multidimensional in vitro pharmacology data with in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD), and systems biology evidence to guide strategic program progression.
• Act as a scientific catalyst for cross-functional alignment, partnering with Immunology, Oncology, Metabolic disease, and Translational Sciences teams to formulate and test innovative hypotheses.
• Oversee the management and scientific oversight of external contract research organization (CRO) partnerships, from assay design through data quality control and biological interpretation.
• Drive the adoption of disruptive technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence-driven data analysis, to enhance assay throughput, precision, and biological insight.
• Establish and evangelize best-in-class standards for assay development, data management, and experimental reproducibility across the Pioneer Medicines portfolio.
• Provide visionary mentorship and technical leadership to a diverse team of scientists, cultivating an environment of deep scientific inquiry, innovation, and continuous professional growth.
• Champion the translation of in vitro pharmacology findings into meaningful in vivo experiments and clinical trial strategies, ensuring biological relevance and therapeutic potential.
• Contribute authoritative scientific input during high-stakes governance meetings, portfolio reviews, and strategic planning sessions for multiple therapeutic programs.
• Explore and evaluate emerging cellular platforms and enabling technologies to maintain scientific leadership and competitive advantage in drug discovery.
• Ensure that all in vitro pharmacology strategies are executed with the highest standards of scientific integrity, safety, and compliance.
• Collaborate with external academic and industry partners to co-develop novel assays and share critical learnings that accelerate collective progress.

Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience in pharmacology, immunology, oncology, or a related field, with a demonstrated record of scientific achievement.
• Extensive expertise in the design, implementation, and validation of in vitro cell-based assays utilizing primary cells, cell lines, and co-culture systems.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional scientific teams and mentoring junior scientists in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment.
• Deep understanding of cellular signaling pathways, immune cell biology, and disease mechanisms relevant to major therapeutic areas.
• Proven ability to translate scientific observations into actionable pharmacology strategies that de-risk drug discovery programs.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a track record of publishing in high-impact scientific journals or presenting at major national and international conferences.
• Strong leadership presence and the ability to influence scientific strategy and decision-making at the highest levels of the organization.
• Self-motivation, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to driving scientific innovation and operational excellence.
• Experience with assay automation and data analysis platforms is highly valued.
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations for pharmacology assays in drug development is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple scientific projects and priorities simultaneously while maintaining rigorous attention to detail.

Nice to have

• Experience with spatial biology, organ-on-a-chip, or single-cell multi-omics technologies.
• Prior experience in early drug discovery within biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.
• Knowledge of computational tools and AI/ML approaches for biological data analysis.

Practical notes

Full-time (100% remote or hybrid arrangement as defined by the role and business needs, with work primarily performed from the Cambridge, MA location).

Travel to Flagship Pioneering portfolio company locations may be required.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.