Principal Scientist/Associate Director, DMPK

Scorpion Therapeutics; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking an experienced DMPK Scientist to lead PK/PD strategy across biologics and small molecules. You will design and interpret in vitro ADME and in vivo PK studies, guiding decisions throughout discovery and early development, including IND-enabling phases.

The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, strong communication, and external CRO oversight to ensure timely, high-quality data generation for regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• MS in DMPK/biology/chemistry or PhD with 5+ years in industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in large-molecule PK/PKPD and/or discovery/development.
• Strong ADME/PK/PKPD knowledge for small molecules.

Responsibilities

• Lead DMPK representative on biologics or small molecule projects; provide scientific leadership.
• Design, conduct, interpret, and report in vitro ADME, in vivo PK, and PK/PD studies.
• Develop and maintain compound selection criteria; drive decision making.

Skills

DMPK leadership

PK/PD expertise

ADME knowledge

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Excellent communication

Education

MS in DMPK/Biology/Chemistry

PhD in related field

Job description

Position Overview

• Support application of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) sciences in drug discovery and development portfolios, with a focus on biologics.
• Characterize ADME and PK/PD properties of small molecules and biologics using in vitro, in vivo, and modeling approaches.
• Serve as a DMPK project representative across portfolio stages from early screening/optimization through IND-enabling studies and regulatory submissions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as 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.
• Partner with modeling/simulation experts, toxicologists, and clinical pharmacologists to support human PKPD prediction, toxicology, and clinical study support.
• Summarize and present scientific results to project teams, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Oversee external CRO partners to ensure high-quality data generation within budget and timelines.
• Provide expert-level guidance to regulatory submissions for biologics and/or small molecules.

Requirements

• MS in DMPK/biology/chemistry or related field with 8+ years relevant experience, or PhD (or equivalent) with 5+ years relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in large-molecule PK/PKPD and general discovery/development.
• Strong ADME/PK/PKPD knowledge for small molecules (plus).
• Highly preferred: ability to apply innovative PK/PKPD approaches to predict human PK, generate hypotheses, design studies, inform clinical plans, and support regulatory filings.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration; ability to lead/influence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.