Senior Research Associate, DMPK (Contract)

Enigma Search; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Enigma Search is seeking a Senior Research Associate to join the DMPK team. The role focuses on hands-on in vitro drug metabolism assays and LC-MS/MS support for small molecule drug discovery.

The ideal candidate will work with cross-functional teams to generate high-quality data and advance novel therapeutic candidates, coordinating with CROs and sustaining rigorous data integrity in a fast-paced research environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years hands-on experience in DMPK, drug metabolism, or related field in pharma/biotech/academia/CRO.
• Experience operating LC-MS/MS systems for quantitative analysis of small molecules.
• Practical experience performing in vitro drug metabolism assays (metabolic stability, CYP inhibition, or PPB).
• Solid understanding of drug metabolism principles and their application to small-molecule discovery.
• Ability to independently execute experiments and meet timelines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Perform in vitro drug metabolism assays (hepatocyte/microsomal stability, CYP inhibition, PPB using RED).
• Maintain and support LC-MS system performance.
• Collaborate with DMPK scientists and project teams to deliver high-quality data on schedule.
• Coordinate with CROs to support outsourced studies, including data review and QA.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and help improve lab workflows and data quality.

Skills

DMPK expertise

LC-MS/MS operation

In vitro metabolism assays

Data analysis

Experimental planning

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemistry / Biochemistry / Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

LC-MS/MS systems

Rapidequilibrium dialysis (RED)

Job description

Senior Research Associate, DMPK (Contract)

About the job Senior Research Associate, DMPK (Contract)

PositionOverview

Weareseekingamotivatedanddetail-orientedSeniorResearchAssociatetojoinourDrugMetabolismandPharmacokinetics(DMPK)team.TheidealcandidatewillhavehandsonexperienceconducinginvitrodrugmetabolismassaysandutilizingLC-MS/MSinstrumentationtosupportsmallmoleculedrugdiscoveryprograms.

Thisroleofferstheopportunitytoworkcollaborativelywithcross-functionalresearchteams,generatehigh qualityexperimentaldata,andcontributetotheadvancementofnoveltherapeuticcandidates.

KeyResponsibilities

• Performavarietyofinvitrodrugmetabolismassays,includinghepatocyteandmicrosomalstability,CYPinhibition,andplasmaproteinbinding(PPB)usingrapidequilibriumdialysis(RED).
• PerformroutinemaintenanceandsupportoptimalperformanceofLC-MSsystems.
• CollaboratecloselywithDMPKscientists,discoveryprojectteams,andresearchinfrastructuregroupstodeliverhigh-qualitydatawithinestablishedtimelines.
• Coordinatewithcontractresearchorganizations(CROs)tosupportoutsourcedstudies,includingdatareview,qualitycontrol,anddocumentation.
• Maintainaccurateexperimentalrecordsandcontributetoimprovementsinlaboratoryworkflows,assayefficiency,anddataquality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor'sorMaster'sdegreeinChemistry,Biochemistry,PharmaceuticalSciences,Biology,orarelatedscientificdiscipline.
• Minimumof2yearsofhands-onexperienceinDMPK,drugmetabolism,orarelatedfieldwithinthepharmaceuticalorbiotechnologyindustry,academia,oraCRO.
• DemonstratedexperienceoperatingLC-MS/MSsystemsforquantitativeanalysisofsmallmolecules.
• Practicalexperienceperforminginvitrodrugmetabolismassays,includingmetabolicstability,CYPinhibition,and/orplasmaproteinbinding.
• Solidunderstandingofdrugmetabolismprinciplesandtheirapplicationsinsmallmoleculedrugdiscovery.
• Abilitytoindependentlyexecuteexperiments,troubleshoottechnicalchallenges,andconsistentlymeetprojecttimelines.
• Stronganalyticalandproblem-solvingskillswithexcellentattentiontodetail.
• Effectivecommunicationandorganizationalskills,withtheabilitytoworkbothindependentlyandcollaborativelyinafast-pacedresearchenvironment.

PreferredQualifications

• Experiencewithhigh-resolutionmassspectrometry(LC-HRMS).
• Familiaritywithlaboratoryautomationandhigh-throughputassayworkflows.
• ExperiencecollaboratingwithCROsandmanagingoutsourcedexperimentaldata.
• UnderstandingofhowinvitroDMPKdatasupportscompoundoptimizationanddrugdiscoverydecisions.