Research Associate - In Vivo Pharmacology

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k)

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in the Lexington area seeks a Research Associate to support non-clinical in vivo studies, coordinating pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic experiments and preparing summaries for internal and regulatory use.

You will design and execute experiments, analyze data, and present findings to cross‑functional teams. A hands‑on biology background and excellent scientific communication are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with in vivo models for non-clinical studies (e.g., animal handling, dosing, and necropsy).
• Experience in experimental design and the use of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in drug discovery.
• Strong scientific communication skills, including the ability to present and interpret in vivo data.

Responsibilities

• Strategy implementation for non-clinical in vivo studies.
• Design/conduct PK/PD in vivo experiments and summarize results.
• Analyze and interpret in vivo data for internal and regulatory needs.
• Prepare comprehensive summaries and reports of in vivo findings.
• Communicate results to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

In vivo models familiarity

Experimental design

Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Associate or Vocational degree

BS/BA (limited to no experience)

Job description

About the Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

The Position

The Research Associate will be responsible for strategy implementation and operations for conducting and summarizing non-clinical in vivo studies internally and externally in the support of new drug evaluations. Design, coordinate, and report pre-clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo experiments within research projects. Communicate evaluations and implications of in vivo data internally, externally, and in regulatory submissions as relevant.Demonstrates some subject matter knowledge. Sets and achieves day-to-day operations with some impact on others within or outside the unit. Works on problems of limited scope. Follows standard practices and procedures in analysing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained. Normally receives general instructions on routine work and detailed instructions on new projects or assignments. Might require guidance from manager/senior colleagues.Basic, hands-on work plus beginning to be responsible for assays set-up & execution; participates in data analyses & presentation with supervisor to team or site; may develop/draft protocols of moderate complexity with supervisor input; may present ideas or data to team, site, or global project team.

Relationships

Reports to the Senior Manager, Platform Innovation. This position will interact with the related research area team members and other research groups at Novo Nordisk, as well as global internal stakeholders and external research collaborators. This position will function as an individual contributor.

Essential Functions

• Strategy implementation and operations for conducting non-clinical in vivo studies
• Drug candidate screening, hit identification, and lead optimization, preferably in oligonucleotide field.
• Design/conduct experiment to understand the mechanism of siRNAAssay optimization: develop and optimize multiplexed in situ hybridization (ISH/FISH) and immunohistochemistry/ immunofluorescence (IHC/IF) protocols
• Molecular biology methodologies, e.g., RNA extraction and RT-qPCR, protein extraction and western blot
• In vivo structure-activity-relationship studies (e.g., mouse dosing; sample analysis)
• Generating and maintaining clear experimental record and reports as needed
• Summarizing non-clinical in vivo studies
• Analyze and interpret data from in vivo studies
• Prepare comprehensive summaries and reports of the findings from in vivo studies
• Communicate the results and implications of in vivo studies to internal and external stakeholders
• Support of new drug evaluations
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support the evaluation of new drugs
• Contribute to the design and execution of pre-clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo experiments

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and 8+ years’ relevant experience required.
• With an Associate or Vocational degree, 4+ years’ relevant experience required; or BS/BA with limited to no experienceFamiliarity with in vivo models for non-clinical studies (e.g., animal handling, dosing, and necropsy) Experience in experimental design and the use of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in drug discoveryStrong scientific communication skills, including the ability to present and interpret in vivo dataDemonstrated intellectual curiosity and a translational mindset in exploring new technologies.
• A team player who thrives in a collaborative work environment

The base compensation range for this position is $70,400 to $123,200. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.