Principal Scientist, Ophthalmology Research

Astellas Pharma • Westborough, MA

4d • $145,460 - $207,800 • Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Scientist, Ophthalmology Research is a scientific leader responsible for designing, executing, and interpreting in vivo ophthalmology research to advance therapeutic programs from discovery through candidate nomination and early development. The incumbent will generate high-quality data that inform strategic program decisions while serving as a key contributor within cross-functional and external collaborations. This is a hands-on laboratory role requiring the scientist to lead from the bench, while mentoring/managing a small team of junior colleagues and fostering a highly collaborative and inclusive broader team environment.

Requirements

• PhD in Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, Biology, Pharmacology, or a related scientific discipline with 8+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry research experience.
• Deep expertise in ophthalmic research, including retinal/ocular disease biology, and a strong track record of advancing scientific programs.
• Significant hands-on experience designing, conducting, and interpreting in vivo ophthalmology studies to support drug discovery, translational research, and/or early development.
• Experience evaluating one or more therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, gene therapies, cell therapies, or RNA-based therapeutics.
• Strong technical expertise in ocular imaging, visual function testing, and histological evaluation of ocular tissues; this includes techniques such as OCT, fundus imaging, ERG, vision-dependent behavior assays (e.g. optomotor response), and retinal histology/histopathology.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop study strategies, solve complex scientific problems, and translate data into actionable program recommendations and go/no-go decisions.
• Proven experience leading scientific programs in a matrixed environment through both direct experimental contributions and scientific leadership.
• Demonstrated scientific achievement through publications, patents, therapeutic program advancement, or contributions to successful drug discovery and development efforts.
• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building productive relationships across functions, mentoring colleagues, and positively contributing to team culture.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across scientific disciplines and organizational levels.

Nice To Haves

• Experience serving as a scientific or project leader within multidisciplinary drug discovery teams and mentoring or developing junior scientists (e.g. through managerial experience).
• Experience with intraocular dosing techniques in rodents (e.g. subretinal injection, intravitreal injection, etc.)
• Industry experience advancing ophthalmology therapeutics through drug discovery, translational research, and/or early development.
• Experience generating pharmacology data packages that support regulatory submissions to health authorities (e.g. IND, pre-IND, INTERACT, Type D, etc.).
• Experience with safety evaluation of ocular therapeutics, including structural and functional analyses.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret in vivo pharmacology studies to evaluate therapeutic candidates across ophthalmology indications and therapeutic modalities.
• Lead from the bench by personally contributing to the execution of in vivo studies while providing technical and scientific leadership to project teams.
• Develop and test hypotheses through integration of available in vitro and in vivo data, generating insights that inform program strategy, candidate selection, and go/no-go decisions.
• Lead and coordinate interdisciplinary research efforts, including collaborations with internal stakeholders, external partners, and contract research organizations, to ensure high-quality and timely execution of studies.
• Design and implement translational research strategies that advance understanding of disease biology, mechanism of action, pharmacology, and therapeutic efficacy.
• Contribute to the generation of preclinical data packages supporting internal program milestones and regulatory submissions to health authorities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and scientifically rigorous working environment by building strong cross-functional relationships, openly sharing knowledge, mentoring colleagues, and contributing positively to team culture.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and effectively communicate scientific findings internally through presentations, reports, and cross-functional discussions.
• Remain current with scientific literature, emerging technologies, and advances in ophthalmology and drug discovery to identify new opportunities and approaches.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree