Associate Principal Scientist, In Vitro Quantitative Biosciences

MSD•Cambridge, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Associate Principal Scientist with a strong background in supporting in vitro pharmacology for early drug discovery to join the External Quantitative Biosciences group (ExQB). Under the broad direction of a Principal Scientist in ExQB, the candidate will support the execution of externalized In vitro biology projects across all discovery sites in our Research and Development division's disease areas, as well as participate in relationship management of Contract Research Organizations (CRO). The ideal candidate will be an experienced in vitro biology bench scientist and team player with experience supporting collaborations across a broad range of discovery biology disciplines. In collaboration with Quantitative Biosciences (QB), this individual will effectively assess and grow our external early discovery in vitro biology capabilities to drive pipeline support in line with our company's broader externalization strategies. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, as well as ability to network, apply soft skills, operate in the ‘grey space’, and apply excellent interpersonal skills are crucial to success in this role. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Relying on in vitro biology lab bench experience, partner with pharmacologists from QB and scientists from other discovery functions to define and challenge resource demands and support the continued build of strategies, workflows, and capability builds at strategic CRO partners to support screening and external reagent generation in a rapidly changing environment. Provide tactical and scientific support to transfer in vitro pharmacology/biology screening funnels, assays, technology, and processes in alignment with the unified screening strategy shared between ExQB, External Discovery Chemistry and DMPK outsourcing teams to maintain and improve Design, Make, Test, Analyze (DMTA) cycle time. Plan and participate in partner site visits to evaluate in vitro biology workflows, practices, capabilities, safety procedures and compliance standards, as well as build and optimize workflows to complement internal company processes, including working with our company's IT to enable data transfer. Oversee partner scientific workflows, and together with Discovery Operations team and procurement, manage the business relationship between our company and CROs through various governance meetings, processes, and performance feedback. Work closely with Procurement and Business Development & Licensing teams to support business sourcing management and licensing needs by scientifically representing in vitro biology sourcing needs. Routinely gather, categorize, and translate external resource demand across in vitro biology disciplines and share with Finance and Discovery Operations to manage and update spend forecasts

Requirements

While this is not a lab-based position, this role requires substantial bench-level experience and expertise in in vitro biology/pharmacology. As such, a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) in Biology, In Vitro Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Science, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related STEM discipline with 8+ years of relevant industry lab experience, a Master's Degree (MA/MBA/MS) with 6+ years of relevant industry lab experience, or a PhD with 4+ years of relevant industry lab experience is required.
Lab-based expertise in applying plate-based In Vitro pharmacology principles and best practices across multiple disease areas with experience in designing, interpreting, and troubleshooting studies, as well as significant experience in performing automated plate-based assays for DMTA/SAR support in a time-critical fashion is needed.
Working understanding of global pharmaceutical and CRO industries with a solid understanding of drug discovery, as well understanding pharmacology’s role within drug discovery.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in biochemistry/protein biochemistry, biophysics, and/or molecular biology is strongly preferred
Strong understanding of in vitro pharmacology business standards including data QC, protocol design, laboratory processes and best-practices, as well as safety standards.
Expertise in cell pharmacology, lab automation, and/or discovery biomarker research including -omics
A minimum of 3 years in managing CRO relationships or equivalent relationship management role.
Established network within our company, as well as Strategic CROs, and biotech / large pharma.
Successful track record of working with multiple functional groups or teams across cultural and geographic boundaries.

Responsibilities

Partner with pharmacologists from QB and scientists from other discovery functions to define and challenge resource demands and support the continued build of strategies, workflows, and capability builds at strategic CRO partners to support screening and external reagent generation in a rapidly changing environment.
Provide tactical and scientific support to transfer in vitro pharmacology/biology screening funnels, assays, technology, and processes in alignment with the unified screening strategy shared between ExQB, External Discovery Chemistry and DMPK outsourcing teams to maintain and improve Design, Make, Test, Analyze (DMTA) cycle time.
Plan and participate in partner site visits to evaluate in vitro biology workflows, practices, capabilities, safety procedures and compliance standards, as well as build and optimize workflows to complement internal company processes, including working with our company's IT to enable data transfer.
Oversee partner scientific workflows, and together with Discovery Operations team and procurement, manage the business relationship between our company and CROs through various governance meetings, processes, and performance feedback.
Work closely with Procurement and Business Development & Licensing teams to support business sourcing management and licensing needs by scientifically representing in vitro biology sourcing needs.
Routinely gather, categorize, and translate external resource demand across in vitro biology disciplines and share with Finance and Discovery Operations to manage and update spend forecasts