Principal Scientist, DMPK

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 221,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge, MA) seeks a Principal Scientist to lead DMPK strategies across discovery to clinical development. You will drive PK/PD translational pharmacology, design/interpret ADME studies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to inform program decisions.

You will mentor junior scientists, prepare regulatory submission content, and contribute to strategic discussions on development plans.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement DMPK strategies to support discovery, selection, translational research and clinical development.
• Design, execute, interpret, and communicate DMPK studies covering ADME, PK/PD relationships and translational pharmacology.
• Collaborate with Research scientists to optimize tissue delivery, pharmacology, and candidate selection.
• Partner with Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Bioanalytical Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, and Project Leadership to integrate data for development decisions.
• Apply quantitative approaches, including modeling and simulation, to support dose prediction and translation.
• Represent DMPK on cross-functional teams and contribute to program governance discussions.
• Lead or contribute to preparing DMPK reports and regulatory submission content (CTA, IND, NDA).
• Provide mentorship and build DMPK capabilities across the organization.

Skills

PK/PD principles

ADME understanding

Regulatory submissions

Quantitative modeling

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Scientific leadership

Data integration

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics/pharmaceutical sciences

Job description

The successful candidate will be part of a team responsible for understanding the disposition mechanisms and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships of oligonucleotide therapeutics and other emerging modalities. The candidate will work closely with colleagues across Research and Development as a Principal Scientist within Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK), providing scientific leadership and strategic guidance to advance programs from discovery through clinical development.

Work arrangement: This is an in-office position based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, requiring regular on-site collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement DMPK strategies to support discovery, candidate selection, translational research, and clinical development of oligonucleotide therapeutics and other drug modalities.
• Design, execute, interpret, and communicate DMPK studies to characterize absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME), PK/PD relationships, and translational pharmacology.
• Collaborate closely with Research scientists to optimize tissue delivery, pharmacology, and candidate selection for advancement into development.
• Partner with Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Bioanalytical Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, and Project Leadership teams to integrate PK, PD, efficacy, safety, and biomarker data and inform development decisions.
• Apply quantitative approaches, including modeling and simulation, to support dose prediction, translation, and development strategy.
• Represent DMPK as a key scientific contributor on multidisciplinary, matrixed project teams and participate in program and governance discussions.
• Lead or contribute to the preparation of DMPK reports, regulatory submission content, and responses supporting CTA, IND, NDA, and other global health authority filings.
• Provide scientific mentorship and technical guidance to junior scientists and contribute to building DMPK capabilities across the organization.
• Effectively manage multiple programs, deliverables, and priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high-quality scientific output.
• Present scientific findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to project teams, senior management, external collaborators, and regulatory agencies, as appropriate.

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery and development.
• Strong understanding of ADME, pharmacokinetics, PK/PD principles, and translational pharmacology.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing DMPK strategies for discovery- and/or development-stage programs.
• Direct experience contributing to CTA and/or IND filings, including preparation or review of relevant regulatory submission content.
• Proven ability to work effectively and influence outcomes in highly matrixed, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with experience integrating diverse datasets to drive decision-making.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet timelines, and adapt to changing priorities.

Preferred

• Experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics, RNAi, ASO, antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, peptides, antibodies, or other advanced therapeutic modalities.
• Experience with modeling and simulation approaches, including population PK, PBPK, mechanistic PK/PD, or translational modeling.
• Experience supporting regulatory interactions and responding to health authority questions.
• Familiarity with biomarkers, translational medicine, and quantitative pharmacology approaches.

#LI-JR1

U.S. Pay Range

$147,200.00 - $220,800.00

The pay range reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam's robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers

AboutAlnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics- a revolutionaryapproach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possibleand are just at the beginning of what's possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, wherean authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinkingfuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.