Senior Scientist I- Ocular Research

ADARx Pharmaceuticals Inc.•San Diego, CA

6h•$110,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

ADARx Pharmaceuticals is seeking a motivated Ocular Research Scientist to support discovery and preclinical development of therapies for retinal diseases. The role requires expertise in ocular biology, retinal disease models, ophthalmic functional and structural assessments, molecular profiling, and translational research. Research programs include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ocular vascular diseases, inherited and rare retinal diseases, and other conditions affecting the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The scientist will lead or support in vivo and in vitro studies of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, including siRNA therapy. The position contributes to discovery, characterization, and validation of extrahepatic siRNA and RNA-editing approaches, with an emphasis on ophthalmology targets. It involves developing ocular disease models and screening siRNAs through ocular administration in rodents; conducting study procedures and ocular tissue analyses; performing ophthalmic assessments and molecular assays; and designing and interpreting RNAscope and single-cell RNA sequencing studies. The scientist will integrate findings across transcriptomic, molecular, imaging, histological, and functional data and collaborate with multidisciplinary discovery and non-clinical teams. The role requires accurate experimental records and preparation of study reports, presentations, manuscripts, and regulatory-supporting documents, as well as communicating findings and recommendations to project teams and senior leadership. Physical presence at the ADARx Pharmaceuticals worksite is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Ophthalmology/Vision Science, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, or a closely related discipline.
At least 3–4 years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience in retinal or ocular drug discovery.
Demonstrated experience designing and conducting preclinical ocular research.
Strong knowledge of retinal anatomy, physiology, disease mechanisms, and ocular pharmacology.
Extensive hands-on experience with in vivo ocular rodent models, including animal handling, dosing, intravitreal and subretinal injections, ophthalmic examinations, ocular tissue microdissection, and study execution.
Strong proficiency in ocular tissue microdissection, including isolation of retina and RPE/choroid tissue.
Hands-on expertise in in-life ocular functional and structural assessments, including ERG and OCT data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation.
Experience with single-cell RNA sequencing of ocular, neural, or other complex tissues.
Experience analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data, including quality control, clustering, cell-type annotation, differential expression, pathway analysis, and biological interpretation.
Experience with RNAscope image acquisition, quantitative image analysis, assay optimization, appropriate controls, and interpretation of spatial expression and biodistribution data.
Expertise in molecular biology techniques including RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, gene-expression analysis, Western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and imaging-based assays.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within cross-functional project teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication, scientific writing, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products, Adobe Pro, and Prism.
Scientific rigor, technical skill, collaboration, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for developing therapies for vision-threatening diseases.
Comfort working in a fast-paced research environment and ability to work independently with supervision as needed.
Adaptability and flexibility in responding to multiple demands and shifting priorities.
Proactive approach to problem-solving and exploring new approaches.
Self-motivation and strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with a hands-on approach in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with preclinical models of AMD, geographic atrophy, choroidal neovascularization, retinal vascular disease, diabetic retinopathy, retinal degeneration, or rare inherited retinal disorders.
Experience with in-life ocular functional and structural assessments using ERG and OCT, including data acquisition, interpretation, and presentation.
Experience with ocular injections via intravitreal, subretinal, periocular, topical, and systemic routes, and microdissection of ocular tissues.
Experience combining RNAscope with immunohistochemistry to identify oligonucleotide localization within specific retinal cell types.
Expertise in ocular histology, retinal imaging, and quantitative image analysis.
Experience with biodistribution, PK/PD, and safety assessments for ocular therapeutics.
Previous experience with RNA or oligonucleotide therapeutics.

Responsibilities

Lead and participate in research to discover, characterize, and validate novel approaches for extrahepatic siRNA and RNA-editing activities, focusing on ophthalmology targets.
Develop, optimize, and characterize ocular mouse models relevant to AMD, geographic atrophy, neovascular or wet AMD, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, retinal vascular leakage and neovascularization, inherited and rare retinal diseases, retinal inflammation, and neurodegeneration.
Establish ocular in vivo systems to screen siRNAs through ocular dosing and administration in rodents, including intravitreal, subretinal, topical, periocular, and systemic delivery as appropriate.
Conduct animal monitoring, clinical observations, study scheduling, tissue collection, necropsy procedures, and sample processing in accordance with approved protocols.
Microdissect ocular tissues, including retina, RPE/choroid, optic nerve, vitreous, aqueous humor, and other relevant ocular compartments.
Perform functional and structural ophthalmic assessments, including ERG, OCT, fundus imaging, fluorescein angiography, and other relevant imaging and functional endpoints.
Design, perform, and interpret RNAscope studies to evaluate oligonucleotide distribution, tissue localization, cellular uptake, and target RNA expression in ocular tissues from rodent and NHP studies.
Design and execute single-cell RNA sequencing studies using retinal, RPE/choroid, and other ocular tissues; support tissue dissociation, single-cell preparation, sample quality assessment, library preparation, sequencing workflows, and dataset analysis and interpretation.
Integrate single-cell transcriptomic data with RNAscope, RT-qPCR, histology, immunohistochemistry, imaging, and functional data.
Develop and apply molecular, cellular, biochemical, and imaging-based assays to evaluate therapeutic activity.
Design and perform in vitro studies using retinal cells, RPE cells, vascular endothelial cells, microglia, primary cells, iPSC-derived cells, and other disease-relevant cellular systems.
Analyze gene-expression, protein-expression, RNAscope, single-cell sequencing, imaging, histology, and functional data using appropriate quantitative and statistical methods.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in discovery biology, discovery oligo and chemistry, DMPK, and non-clinical safety.
Maintain accurate experimental records and prepare study reports, presentations, manuscripts, and regulatory-supporting documents.
Present research findings and recommendations to project teams and senior leadership.
Advance programs from target validation through preclinical candidate selection, final lead candidate nomination, and translational development.
Plan and coordinate project work in line with timelines and deliverables and departmental, functional, and external stakeholder needs.