Scientist II/Senior Scientist I, InVitro Pharmacology

Zealand Pharma U.S., Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Zealand Pharma A/S is seeking a Scientist II / Senior Scientist I in In Vitro Pharmacology in Cambridge, MA. You will design and execute biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays to support obesity and metabolic programs, while advancing automation and high-throughput screening capabilities.

Collaboration with AI, Chemistry, in vivo Pharmacology, and DMPK/Safety teams will drive data-informed decisions in early discovery.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or related field with 0–3 years of relevant industry or postdoctoral experience; M.S. with ~3–6 years; or B.S./B.A. with ~5–8+ years.
• Strong hands-on experience in in vitro pharmacology and cell-based assay development
• Experience with GPCR pharmacology and related assay formats, ideally in obesity, diabetes, or metabolic disease research
• Experience working with biologics, including antibodies, proteins, peptides, and bioconjugates
• Experience in lab automation, research AI, custom coding, and/or workcell environments
• Strong data analysis, interpretation, and scientific communication skills
• Exceptional candidates at any degree level whose expertise may match for Senior Scientist I.

Responsibilities

• Support the building and implementation of automation integrating tissue culture, liquid handling, and plate readers/microscopes
• Design, optimize, and validate biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays for compound screening and mechanism-of-action studies
• Generate, analyze, and clearly communicate pharmacological data to enable timely, high-quality decisions across discovery programs
• Represent In Vitro Pharmacology in cross-functional teams
• Maintain rigorous documentation and contribute to a strong culture of data quality and scientific integrity

Education

PhD in Pharmacology, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or related field

MS with 3–6 years of industry experience

BS/BA with 5–8+ years of industry experience

In vitro pharmacology and cell-based assay development

GPCR pharmacology and relevant assays

Experience with biologics (antibodies, proteins, peptides, bioconjugates)

Lab automation, workcell environments, or AI coding

Data analysis and scientific communication

Job description

Your new position

As a Scientist II / Senior Scientist I in In Vitro Pharmacology, you will design, execute, and interpret biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based functional assays across our obesity, diabetes, and broader metabolism portfolio. You will work hands-on at the bench, supporting lab automation/workcell, assay innovation, high-throughput screening, and LIMS integration. You will collaborate closely with Research AI, Chemistry, in vivo Pharmacology, DMPK/Safety, and Formulation colleagues to help advance candidates with the pharmacological properties needed to succeed in the clinic. The position offers the opportunity to help build out our automation-ready, high-throughput in vitro pharmacology capabilities.

• Support the building and implementation of automation integrating tissue culture, liquid handling, and plate readers/microscopes
• Design, optimize, and validate biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays for compound screening and mechanism-of-action studies
• Generate, analyze, and clearly communicate pharmacological data to enable timely, high-quality decisions across discovery programs
• Represent In Vitro Pharmacology in cross-functional teams
• Maintain rigorous documentation and contribute to a strong culture of data quality and scientific integrity

Your profile

You are a hands-on scientist with an innovative mindset and a strong publication or project track record. You communicate data clearly, collaborate well across disciplines, and are motivated by turning assay expertise into decisions that move programs forward. Recent graduates with a strong record of scientific innovation and productivity are encouraged to apply, even without extensive industry tenure.

Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related field with 0-3 years of relevant industry or postdoctoral experience; M.S. with approximately 3-6 years of relevant industry experience; or B.S./B.A. with approximately 5-8+ years of relevant industry experience

• Strong hands-on experience in in vitro pharmacology and cell-based assay development
• Experience with GPCR pharmacology and associated assay formats, ideally within obesity, diabetes, or broader metabolic disease research
• Experience working with biologics, including antibodies, proteins, peptides, and bioconjugates
• Experience in lab automation, research AI, custom coding, and/or workcell environments
• Strong data analysis, interpretation, and scientific communication skills
• Exceptional candidates at any degree level whose expertise and track record are an outstanding match for the scope of the role may be considered for Senior Scientist I.

Your new team

You will join the Global Biology research organization and work at the interface of discovery and preclinical candidate delivery. The team collaborates closely with functional experts across Chemistry, in vivo Pharmacology, DMPK/Safety, and Formulation, contributing to a portfolio of programs through robust in vitro data generation and interpretation.

Let’s bond and be bold

We have a unique culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization. And we want you to help us strengthen this culture. Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other. We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Join us and let’s bond and be bold.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all job applicants.

About Zealand Pharma A/S

Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on advancing medicines for obesity and metabolic health. Combining more than 25 years of peptide R&D expertise with a proprietary data platform that leverages advanced data-driven and AI/ML approaches, Zealand Pharma aims to lead a new era in obesity and metabolic health. To date, more than ten Zealand Pharma-invented drug candidates have entered clinical development, of which two products have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The Company has collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for research, development, and commercialization. Founded in 1998, Zealand Pharma is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a U.S. presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Learn more at www.zealandpharma.com.

Since our founding in 1998, Zealand Pharma has built a core expertise in the discovery, design, and development of therapeutic peptides. This expertise has led to an R&D pipeline of innovative investigational candidates designed to address a broad range of disease areas. We have four therapeutic focus areas: obesity, rare diseases, chronic inflammation, and type 1 diabetes. In obesity, our peptide capabilities place us in a unique position to address a vast global health challenge and positively impact hundreds of millions of lives. Within rare diseases, we have a long-standing commitment to deliver new treatments to patients living with congenital hyperinsulinism and short bowel syndrome. For chronic inflammatory diseases, we are progressing peptide programs focused on high-profile targets shown to be difficult to address with small molecules and antibodies. For type 1 diabetes, we aspire to change the management of this disease. Our strategy is to pursue global co-development and commercialization partnerships that complement and extend our capabilities across the value chain to deliver new peptide therapies to people who need them.