Senior Scientist, Preclinical Ophthalmology

Pharmaron; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid PTO & holidays

Life Insurance

Wellness programs

Job summary

Pharmaron is seeking a highly motivated Study Director/Senior Scientist/Scientist to join our Preclinical Ophthalmology team. The successful candidate will design, execute, interpret, and report GLP and non-GLP ophthalmology studies and provide scientific leadership across ocular drug programs.

Responsibilities include leading in vivo studies in rodent and large animal models, overseeing ocular dosing, integrating imaging and functional endpoints (OCT, FA, ICGA, ERG, OKR), and ensuring

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience conducting preclinical ophthalmology studies.
• Experience with ophthalmic imaging including OCT, FA, ICGA, fundus imaging, slit lamp examination, anterior segment imaging, and specular microscopy.
• Experience with ERG, PERG, OKR, and ocular imaging data interpretation.
• Experience with rodent and large animal ophthalmology models (rabbit, pig, dog, and/or non-human primate preferred).
• Experience with ocular drug delivery techniques including intravitreal, subretinal, suprachoroidal, and intracameral administration.
• Strong understanding of ocular anatomy, retinal biology, and translational ophthalmology.

Responsibilities

• Lead scientific direction for preclinical ophthalmology studies and programs.
• Serve as Study Director for GLP and non-GLP ophthalmology studies.
• Design, coordinate, monitor, and oversee in vivo ophthalmology studies in rodent and large animal models.
• Provide leadership in study design, endpoint selection, model development, and data interpretation.
• Support business development activities, scientific proposals, study costing, client meetings, and technical presentations.
• Act as primary scientific contact for clients during study execution.

Skills

Preclinical ophthalmology

Ophthalmic imaging

ERG PERG OKR

Ocular drug delivery

Study design & data interpretation

GLP experience

Project management

Education

PhD in Ophthalmology or related field

Tools

OCT imaging

FA imaging

ICGA imaging

Fundus imaging

Slit lamp

Specular microscopy

Job description

Position: Senior Scientist, Preclinical Ophthalmology

Salary Range: $100,000 - $115,000/yr.

Location: San Diego, CA

About Pharmaron

Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.

We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers. To learn more, visit www.pharmaron.com.

Job Overview

Pharmaron is seeking a highly motivated Study Director/Senior Scientist/Scientist to join our Preclinical Ophthalmology team. The successful candidate will serve as a Study Director for GLP and non-GLP ophthalmology studies and provide scientific leadership and project management for ocular drug, biologic, gene therapy, cell therapy, and medical device development programs. This role is responsible for designing, executing, interpreting, and reporting preclinical ophthalmology studies while ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scientifically rigorous, and regulatory-compliant services to clients.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership

• Serve as the scientific lead for preclinical ophthalmology studies and programs.
• Act as Study Director for GLP and non-GLP ophthalmology studies.
• Design, coordinate, monitor, and oversee in vivo ophthalmology studies in rodent and large animal models.
• Provide scientific leadership in study design, endpoint selection, model development, and data interpretation.
• Support business development activities, scientific proposals, study costing, client meetings, and technical presentations.
• Serve as the primary scientific contact for clients throughout study execution.

Ophthalmic Procedures and Disease Models

• Oversee and perform ocular dosing procedures including:
  • Intravitreal injection
  • Subretinal injection
  • Suprachoroidal injection
  • Intracameral injection
  • Subconjunctival injection
  • Topical ocular administration
  • Systemic administration when applicable
• Design and execute studies in anterior and posterior segment disease models, including:
  • Retinal degeneration
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • Geographic atrophy (GA)
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Choroidal neovascularization (CNV)
  • Glaucoma and ocular hypertension
  • Corneal disease and wound healing
  • Dry eye disease
  • Ocular inflammation and infectious disease models

Imaging, Functional Assessments, and Data Interpretation

• Perform, oversee, and interpret ophthalmic imaging and functional assessments including:
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  • Fluorescein Angiography (FA)
  • Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICGA)
  • Fundus Photography
  • Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy
  • Specular Microscopy
  • Anterior Segment Imaging (Anterion or equivalent systems)
  • Electroretinography (ERG)
  • Pattern ERG (PERG)
  • Optokinetic Response (OKR)
  • Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Assessments
• Correlate imaging and functional data with histopathology findings.
• Review and interpret ophthalmic endpoints and prepare scientific conclusions and recommendations.

Study Management and Compliance

• Prepare, review, and approve study protocols, amendments, deviations, change controls, SOPs, and study reports.
• Author final study reports and contributing scientist reports.
• Monitor study conduct to ensure quality, compliance, and data integrity.
• Ensure documentation complies with GLP requirements and ALCOA principles.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance (QA) to maintain regulatory compliance.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) during client audits, regulatory inspections, and QA audits.
• Lead root cause investigations, CAPA activities, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with pathology, formulation, bioanalysis, toxicology, molecular biology, and analytical teams to ensure successful study execution.
• Support IND-enabling studies and translational research programs.
• Contribute scientific expertise to protocol development, publication preparation, and client consultation activities.

Team Leadership

• Mentor, train, and supervise scientists, research associates, and technical staff.
• Provide technical training on ophthalmic procedures, imaging platforms, disease models, and data interpretation.
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, quality, and client service.

What We're Looking For

Education

Scientist

• MS in Ophthalmology, Vision Science, Pharmacology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant ophthalmology experience.

Senior Scientist / Study Director

• PhD in Ophthalmology, Vision Science, Pharmacology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field with a minimum of 2 years of relevant industry experience.
• Additional industry experience preferred for senior-level candidates.

Technical Experience

• Hands-on experience conducting preclinical ophthalmology studies.
• Experience with ophthalmic imaging including OCT, FA, ICGA, fundus imaging, slit lamp examination, anterior segment imaging, and specular microscopy.
• Experience with ERG, PERG, OKR, and ocular imaging data interpretation.
• Experience with rodent and large animal ophthalmology models (rabbit, pig, dog, and/or non-human primate preferred).
• Experience with ocular drug delivery techniques including intravitreal, subretinal, suprachoroidal, and intracameral administration.
• Strong understanding of ocular anatomy, retinal biology, and translational ophthalmology.

Regulatory Experience

• Experience serving as a Study Director, Principal Investigator, or lead scientist in GLP and/or regulated studies.
• Working knowledge of FDA, OECD, and GLP regulations.
• Experience supporting audits, inspections, quality systems, and regulatory documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting ophthalmic drug, biologic, gene therapy, cell therapy, and medical device development programs.
• Experience with IND-enabling efficacy, safety, and toxicology studies.
• Histopathology interpretation experience.
• Experience with image analysis software and quantitative imaging endpoints.
• Prior CRO experience.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple studies, timelines, budgets, and client deliverables.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with clients and contribute to business growth.
• Strong scientific writing, presentation, and communication skills.

Why Pharmaron?

Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 25,000 employees and operations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore. Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.

Collaborative Culture: You will thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners, and collaborators.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with significant employer contributions
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous employer matching
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Leave & Company Holidays to support work-life balance
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions (for eligible plans), plus Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 100% Employer-paid Employee Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), mental health resources, and wellness programs
• Family-friendly benefits, including fertility support and maternity resources
• Professional development and career growth opportunities within a leading global CRO/CDMO

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer, Pharmaron values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the world of life sciences.