Scientist II, Lead Generation Biology

Neurocrine Biosciences • San Diego, CA

2d • $110,800 - $151,000

About The Position

Neurocrine Biosciences is seeking an integral member of its Lead Generation Biology team to design, optimize, execute, and troubleshoot complex biochemical and cell-based assays across multiple discovery projects. This hands-on role establishes robust routine assays in biologically relevant cell systems, generates high-quality and reproducible data, and quantitatively analyzes and summarizes results to inform project decisions. The successful candidate communicates findings and recommendations to biology and multidisciplinary project teams, contributes scientific insight to experimental strategy and next steps, and provides relevant subject matter expertise. The role uses a broad range of assay technologies, platforms, and automated equipment in a collaborative, dynamic environment, while contributing to process efficiency and research quality.

The position supports evaluation of small molecules, peptides, and antibodies from hit-to-lead through development candidate selection. It partners with disease-biology scientists and project teams to develop fit-for-purpose in vitro assay strategies, and may support external studies, patent and publication preparation, and research relevant to target identification. The successful candidate maintains accurate electronic laboratory records and communicates data, assay performance, technical risks, and recommended experiments to support project decisions.

Requirements

• BS/BA degree in a scientific field and 4 or more years of in vitro pharmacology experience; or an MS/MA degree in a scientific field and 2 or more years of similar experience; or a PhD in biology or a related field, with some similar experience.
• Experience developing, optimizing, and routinely executing cell-based and biochemical assays.
• Ability to work effectively across functions and build productive scientific partnerships with disease-biology and project-team colleagues.
• Ability to independently plan and execute experiments while balancing routine assay delivery, optimization, and multiple project priorities.
• Ability to analyze complex data, translate results into biological insights, and clearly communicate implications and recommendations to multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to maintain current scientific knowledge and develop deep expertise in mechanisms, assay approaches, and technologies relevant to assigned projects.
• Hands-on experience with primary mammalian cell culture, including immune-relevant cells such as PBMCs or monocyte/macrophage systems and/or CNS-relevant cell types.
• Working knowledge of cellular immunology, inflammatory signaling, and/or CNS biology, and ability to translate biological mechanisms and hypotheses into robust in vitro assays.
• Working knowledge of liquid handling automation and LIMS systems.
• Collaborative and highly motivated, with a solid understanding of project and group goals and methods.
• Ability to recognize anomalous and inconsistent results, interpret experimental outcomes, and explain the process behind data and its implications.
• Strong knowledge of one or more scientific disciplines, with developing expertise in one discipline, as well as scientific principles, methods, and techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of laboratory equipment and tools.
• Ability to work as part of a team; may train lower-level staff.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and analytical-thinking skills.
• Detail-oriented while able to see the broader scientific impact on the team.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency.
• Strong project management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Primary cell culture experience, especially CNS, and related assay development.
• Experience with liquid handling automation and LIMS systems.
• Experience with flow cytometry, ELISA, HTRF, AlphaLISA, Meso-Scale Discovery (MSD), Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI), or related technologies.
• Experience with complex or co-culture systems.
• A PhD in biology or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop, optimize, troubleshoot, and routinely execute complex biochemical and cell-based assays to evaluate small molecules, peptides, and antibodies from hit-to-lead through development candidate selection.
• Apply quantitative pharmacology and data-quality practices to analyze concentration-response relationships, assay performance, reproducibility, and biological relevance; identify anomalous results and variability and recommend follow-up experiments.
• Perform molecular biology techniques as needed to understand mechanisms of action, including Western blotting and transient transfections.
• Support assay transfers and external studies with CROs or collaborators through internal bridging work, protocol and data review, and technical troubleshooting.
• Partner with disease-biology scientists and multidisciplinary project teams to translate biological questions and hypotheses into in vitro assay strategies and experimental plans.
• Research other internal teams' work and experiments relevant to target identification.
• Participate, as applicable, in patent and publication preparation.
• Recommend improvements to process efficiency and research quality.
• Stay current with scientific literature, disease biology, assay technologies, and internal best practices to inform assay design, optimization, and interpretation.
• Research national and international guidance documentation to justify analytical limits, acceptance criteria, testing parameters, and method validation and execution.
• Document research and conduct work safely in accordance with company and departmental guidelines.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory records, protocols, and data packages; analyze, summarize, and communicate results, assay performance, technical risks, and recommended next experiments at biology and project-team meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Paid caregiver, parental, and medical leave.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions.
• Annual bonus with a target of 20% of earned base salary.
• Eligibility to participate in the equity-based long-term incentive program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level