Principal Scientist/Associate Director, DMPK

Disc Medicine; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Disc Medicine is seeking an experienced scientist for its Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) team to support PK/PD sciences across discovery and development, with emphasis on biologics programs. The role involves in vitro, in vivo, and modeling approaches to characterize ADME and PKPD properties of small molecules and biologics.

As a DMPK project representative, you will design studies, analyze data, project human PK and efficacious doses, and guide regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• MS in DMPK, biology, chemistry, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• PhD (or equivalent) with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Expertise in large‑molecule PK, PKPD, and general discovery or development.
• Strong working knowledge of ADME, PK, PKPD for small molecules.
• Experience applying PK/PD modeling to predict human PK and support regulatory filings.
• Ability to lead cross‑disciplinary teams and influence decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the DMPK representative on biologics and/or small molecule projects.
• Design, conduct, and report in vitro ADME, in vivo PK, and PK/PD studies.
• Develop compound selection criteria to guide decisions across projects.
• Collaborate with modeling, toxicology, and clinical pharmacology for human PK/PD prediction.
• Summarize results for project teams, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Oversee external CRO partners to ensure data quality within budget and timelines.
• Contribute expert guidance to regulatory submissions for biologics and/or small molecules.

Skills

ADME

PKPD

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory submissions

Communication skills

Project leadership

Education

MS in DMPK, biology, chemistry, or related field

PhD (or equivalent) in relevant field

Job description

Join our team in a dynamic hybrid role, offering flexibility to work remotely and from our headquarters in Watertown, MA.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Disc Medicine is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing novel treatments for patients who suffer from serious hematologic diseases. We are building a portfolio of innovative, first-in-class therapeutic candidates that aim to address a wide spectrum of hematologic diseases by targeting fundamental biological pathways of red blood cell biology, specifically heme biosynthesis and iron homeostasis. Disc Medicine values collaboration, professional development, and scientific integrity and promotes an inclusive company culture that empowers and inspires.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Disc Medicine’s Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) team is seeking an experienced scientist to support the application of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) sciences in our drug discovery and development portfolios, with more focus on biologics programs.

As a key member of the cross‑functional teams, you will apply in vitro, in vivo, and modeling approaches to characterize the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME), and PK/PD properties of small molecules and biologics.

You will serve as a DMPK project representative and contribute across all stages of portfolio advancement, from early compound screening and optimization through IND‑enabling studies and regulatory submissions. Responsibilities include experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, human PK and efficacious dose projection, reporting, and strategic guidance.

This role requires regular interaction with internal and external partners to ensure timely, high‑quality delivery of ADME/PKPD data and to drive DMPK strategy for both Discovery and Development programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the DMPK representative on biologics and/or small molecule project teams, providing scientific and strategic leadership.
• Design, conduct, interpret, and report in vitro ADME, in vivo PK, and PK/PD studies.
• Develop and maintain compound selection criteria to support consistent decision‑making across projects.
• Partner effectively with modeling and simulation experts, toxicologists, and clinical pharmacologists for human PKPD prediction, toxicology and clinical study support.
• Summarize and present scientific results to project teams, leadership, and broader stakeholders.
• Oversee external CRO partners to ensure high‑quality data generation within budget and timelines.
• Contribute expert‑level guidance to regulatory submissions for biologics and/or small molecules.

REQUIREMENTS

• MS in DMPK, biology, chemistry, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience, or PhD (or equivalent) with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in large‑molecule PK, PKPD, and general discovery or development areas.
• Strong working knowledge of ADME, PK, PKPD for small molecules is an important plus.
• Proven ability to evaluate and apply innovative PK and PK/PD approaches to predict human PK, generate hypotheses, design studies, inform clinical plans, and support regulatory filings is highly preferred.
• Experience working effectively and collaboratively with cross‑disciplinary teams; ability to lead, influence, and contribute to decision‑
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Salary Range

$186,000—$228,000 USD

Disc Medicine is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing all qualified candidates and employees equal opportunities. We offer comprehensive benefits and competitive compensation packages. The Company headquarters are in Watertown, MA, and we provide a flexible work environment.

Disc Medicine actively recruits individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for excellence.

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