Senior Scientist, Preclinical Ophthalmology

Pharmaron • San Diego, CA

21h

About The Position

Pharmaron is seeking a Senior Scientist/Study Director to join its Preclinical Ophthalmology team in San Diego, California. The role provides scientific leadership and project management for preclinical development programs involving ocular drugs, biologics, gene therapies, cell therapies, and medical devices. The successful candidate designs, executes, interprets, and reports GLP and non-GLP ophthalmology studies, ensuring scientifically rigorous, high-quality, and regulatory-compliant work for clients.

The position oversees in vivo ophthalmology studies in rodent and large-animal models and supports study design, endpoint selection, model development, and data interpretation. It includes performing and overseeing ocular dosing, ophthalmic imaging, and functional assessments, and correlating imaging and functional data with histopathology. The Study Director prepares and approves study documentation and reports, maintains GLP and data-integrity standards, works with Quality Assurance, and serves as a subject-matter expert during audits and inspections.

The Senior Scientist collaborates across scientific and operational teams, supports IND-enabling and translational research, contributes to client and business-development activities, and mentors and trains scientific and technical staff. Pharmaron describes its culture as collaborative and inclusive, with emphasis on employee and client-centered values.

Requirements

• For the Senior Scientist/Study Director level, a PhD in Ophthalmology, Vision Science, Pharmacology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field and at least 2 years of relevant industry experience.
• Hands-on experience conducting preclinical ophthalmology studies.
• Experience with ophthalmic imaging, including OCT, FA, ICGA, fundus imaging, slit lamp examination, anterior segment imaging, and specular microscopy.
• Experience with ERG, PERG, OKR, and ocular imaging data interpretation.
• Experience with rodent and large-animal ophthalmology models.
• Experience with ocular drug delivery techniques, including intravitreal, subretinal, suprachoroidal, and intracameral administration.
• Strong understanding of ocular anatomy, retinal biology, and translational ophthalmology.
• Experience serving as a Study Director, Principal Investigator, or lead scientist in GLP and/or regulated studies.
• Working knowledge of FDA, OECD, and GLP regulations.
• Experience supporting audits, inspections, quality systems, and regulatory documentation.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple studies, timelines, budgets, and client deliverables.
• Ability to interact effectively with clients and contribute to business growth.
• Strong scientific writing, presentation, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Additional industry experience for senior-level candidates.
• Experience with rabbit, pig, dog, and/or non-human-primate ophthalmology models.
• Experience supporting ophthalmic drug, biologic, gene therapy, cell therapy, and medical-device development programs.
• Experience with IND-enabling efficacy, safety, and toxicology studies.
• Histopathology interpretation experience.
• Experience with image-analysis software and quantitative imaging endpoints.
• Prior CRO experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as scientific lead and Study Director for GLP and non-GLP preclinical ophthalmology studies and programs.
• Design, coordinate, monitor, and oversee in vivo ophthalmology studies in rodent and large-animal models.
• Provide scientific leadership on study design, endpoint selection, model development, and data interpretation.
• Support business development through scientific proposals, study costing, client meetings, and technical presentations; act as the primary scientific contact for clients during study execution.
• Oversee and perform ocular dosing procedures, including intravitreal, subretinal, suprachoroidal, intracameral, subconjunctival, topical ocular, and applicable systemic administration.
• Design and execute studies in anterior- and posterior-segment disease models, including retinal degeneration, AMD, geographic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, CNV, glaucoma, ocular hypertension, corneal disease, wound healing, dry eye, ocular inflammation, and infectious disease.
• Perform, oversee, and interpret ophthalmic imaging and functional assessments, including OCT, FA, ICGA, fundus photography, slit lamp biomicroscopy, specular microscopy, anterior segment imaging, ERG, PERG, OKR, and IOP assessments.
• Correlate imaging and functional data with histopathology; review ophthalmic endpoints and prepare scientific conclusions and recommendations.
• Prepare, review, and approve study protocols, amendments, deviations, change controls, SOPs, and study reports; author final study reports and contributing scientist reports.
• Monitor study conduct for quality, compliance, and data integrity; ensure documentation meets GLP requirements and ALCOA principles; work with QA on regulatory compliance.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert during client audits, regulatory inspections, and QA audits; lead root-cause investigations, CAPA activities, and process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with pathology, formulation, bioanalysis, toxicology, molecular biology, and analytical teams; support IND-enabling studies and translational research.
• Contribute scientific expertise to protocol development, publication preparation, and client consultation.
• Mentor, train, and supervise scientists, research associates, and technical staff; provide training on ophthalmic procedures, imaging platforms, disease models, and data interpretation.
• Promote scientific excellence, innovation, quality, and client service.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with significant employer contributions.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and company holidays.
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account contributions for eligible plans.
• Healthcare and dependent-care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Employer-paid employee life insurance, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program, mental health resources, and wellness programs.
• Family-friendly benefits, including fertility support and maternity resources.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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