Pharmacokinetics (PK) Scientist

Kelly Services; Irvine (CA); Remote; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Research Scientist, Pharmacokinetics for a remote, temporary/contract role in the U.S. ocular product portfolio.

The role focuses on hands-on PK analyses, literature review, and documentation to keep preclinical and clinical PK programs moving forward. The ideal candidate has strong PK/NCA knowledge, hands-on experience with PK software, and excellent scientific writing skills, with ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in pharmaceutical sciences with 3+ years of relevant experience, or MS with 2+ years.
• MS with 2+ years in a related field; PhD not required.
• Pharmacology or related ophthalmic experience is a plus.
• Strong PK/NCA background with CRO exposure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform noncompartmental PK/TK analyses on ocular datasets.
• Generate PK parameters, concentration–time profiles, and statistics.
• Summarize PK/TK findings for project review.
• Assemble and QC PK datasets prior to analysis.
• Verify sample accountability and BLQ handling conventions.
• Monitor CRO studies and escalate deviations.
• Conduct literature searches on ocular PK, ADME and competitors.
• Draft PK study reports and protocol language.
• Route documents for peer and management review.
• Provide scientific and operational support as needed.

Skills

PK principles

NCA analysis

Scientific writing

Data QC

CRO liaison

Education

BS/BA in Pharmaceutical Sciences

MS in related field

PhD candidate welcomed

Tools

Phoenix WinNonlin

Excel

PubMed

Job description

Research Scientist, Pharmacokinetics

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Research Scientist, Pharmacokinetics for a temporary/contract opportunity supporting an ocular product portfolio within Pharma and Consumer Eye Care.

Employment Type: Full-time, temporary/contract

Duration: Approximately 6 months, with potential for extension

Location: Remote

Position Overview

The Research Scientist, Pharmacokinetics will provide hands-on pharmacokinetic (PK) support to project representatives across an ocular product portfolio. This role will execute the day-to-day analytical, study-monitoring, literature research, and scientific documentation activities necessary to keep preclinical and clinical PK programs moving forward.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in pharmacokinetic principles, hands-on experience with noncompartmental analysis (NCA) , excellent scientific writing skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform noncompartmental pharmacokinetic (PK) and/or toxicokinetic (TK) analyses on preclinical and clinical datasets, including ocular and systemic tissue data.

• Generate PK parameter tables, concentration-time profiles, summary statistics, and other analytical outputs.

• Interpret and summarize PK/TK findings for review by project representatives.

• Assemble, reconcile, and perform quality control of PK datasets prior to analysis.

• Verify sample accountability, below-limit-of-quantification (BLQ) handling conventions, units, and other critical data elements.

• Monitor ongoing studies conducted at Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and internal laboratories, identifying and escalating study deviations, data anomalies, and other issues to the responsible project representative.

• Conduct scientific literature searches related to ocular pharmacokinetics, ADME, and competitor products .

• Synthesize published literature into concise, decision-ready summaries and data packages.

• Draft, format, and revise PK study reports, report sections, and PK-related protocol language.

• Route scientific documentation for peer, data-integrity, and managerial review and incorporate reviewer comments.

• Provide additional scientific and operational support as project needs and priorities evolve.

Scope of the Position

This is an individual-contributor role supporting multiple project representatives and concurrent programs. The Research Scientist will work under the direction of a senior PK scientist, using established methods with guidance provided for scientific interpretation.

The position will also interact with external contract laboratories and CRO partners under appropriate supervision.

Direct Reports: None

Key Relationships

Internal Partners: PK project representatives, Bioanalytical, Pharmaceutical Development, and other cross-functional scientific partners.

External Partners: Bioanalytical and PK CROs, study directors, and contract laboratories.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• BS/BA in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience , OR

• MS in a related scientific discipline with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience .

• PhD candidates are welcome to apply; a PhD is not required for this position.

• Prior ophthalmic or topical-route experience is a plus but is not required.

Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of pharmacokinetic principles and noncompartmental analysis (NCA) .
• Hands-on experience with Phoenix WinNonlin or comparable pharmacokinetic analysis software strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and scientific data handling.
• Ability to assemble, reconcile, review, and quality-check scientific datasets.
• Demonstrated scientific and technical writing ability, including preparation of study reports or comparable formal scientific documentation.
• Experience conducting scientific literature searches using PubMed, Google Scholar, or similar databases .
• Experience working with preclinical and/or clinical PK datasets preferred.
• Experience interacting with CROs or contract laboratories is beneficial.

Key Competencies

• Ability to effectively multitask across multiple programs and shifting priorities.
• Proactive, can-do approach and willingness to step in wherever the team needs support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data quality.
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal scientific teams and external CRO partners.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, matrixed scientific environment.

Compensation

Pay rate will be determined based on the candidate’s education, directly relevant pharmacokinetics and CRO-related experience, and geographic location.

Why Kelly Science & Clinical?

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly ® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.