Associate Director, Molecular Pharmacology - Remote

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company; United States; Remote; USD 170,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision, and life保险

Generous paid time off

Health and wellness program

Job summary

Centessa Pharmaceuticals (a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company) is seeking an Associate Director of Molecular Pharmacology to serve as a senior scientific contributor focused on in vitro translational neuroscience and brain slice electrophysiology. This remote US role supports discovery programs with CRO-management and cross-functional collaboration.

The candidate will guide study design, translate functional data into program strategy, and contribute to team scientific discussions

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, or related field with 8+ years postdoctoral or industry experience (or MS/BS with commensurate industry experience).
• Demonstrated experience with in vitro functional and affinity modulation of GPCR targets in a drug discovery setting, brain slice electrophysiology and related circuit-level approaches (MEA experience highly desired).
• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular pharmacology.
• Experience working with CROs and external research partners.
• Proven ability to connect mechanistic data to in vivo relevance and program decision-making.
• Highly collaborative, scientifically rigorous, and comfortable operating in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Molecular Pharmacology team’s subject-matter expert in neuroscience pharmacology, guiding in vitro and ex vivo assay selection, study design, and translational interpretation of results.
• Own the scientific strategy and design of in vitro and ex vivo pharmacology studies, with emphasis on brain slice electrophysiology and circuit-level functional assays executed at CROs.
• Manage external CROs, including protocol development, technical alignment, data review, and troubleshooting to ensure high-quality, fit-for-purpose studies.
• Partner closely with the Director of Molecular Pharmacology and cross-functional colleagues to interpret results and inform program decisions.
• Contribute to broader scientific discussions around program direction, refining hypotheses and deepening biological understanding.
• Provide scientific guidance and review to junior team members (no direct people management responsibilities).

Skills

GPCR pharmacology

Brain slice electrophysiology

CRO management

Translational biology

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Neuroscience/Pharmacology/Physiology or related

Job description

Centessa Pharmaceuticals (a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company) is seeking an Associate Director of Molecular Pharmacology to serve as a senior scientific contributor focused on in vitro translational neuroscience and brain slice electrophysiology. This remote US role supports discovery programs with CRO-management and cross-functional collaboration.

The candidate will guide study design, translate functional data into program strategy, and contribute to team scientific discussions