Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist Discovery Biology

Saturnus Bio; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Saturnus Bio is seeking an experienced cardiovascular scientist to lead targeted oligonucleotide therapeutic programs in precision genetic indications. The successful candidate will balance program leadership with direct scientific contributions on a focused research team in Boston.

You will design and interpret studies using patient-derived iPSCs and engineered cardiac models, mentor junior scientists, and partner with chemistry, bioinformatics, and translational groups to advance discovery

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacology or related field with 5–10+ years in biotech/pharma drug discovery.
• Deep expertise in genetic cardiomyopathies and heart failure through research or pharma programs.
• Broad molecular and cellular biology knowledge; able to master new techniques quickly.
• Experience in preclinical drug discovery and working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with patient-derived iPSCs, cardiomyocytes, and 3D cardiac models.
• In vivo rodent models of genetic cardiomyopathy/heart failure.
• Proven mentoring ability and collaboration across discovery disciplines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret studies for pharmacology in cardiomyopathy programs.
• Apply disease models including patient-derived iPSCs and engineered tissues to assess target engagement and mechanism.
• Provide deep biology expertise to validate targets and develop biomarkers.
• Collaborate with chemistry, in vitro pharmacology, bioinformatics, and translational teams.
• Maintain laboratory leadership, troubleshoot experiments, and guide the team.
• Communicate strategy and progress to leadership, collaborators, and advisors.
• Mentor junior scientists and foster a collaborative high-performance environment.

Skills

Molecular Biology

Cardiomyopathy research

Preclinical Drug Discovery

Mentoring

Scientific Communication

Team Leadership

iPSC models

In vivo models

Data interpretation

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology/Cell Biology/Pharmacology

Tools

CRISPR genome engineering

Viral vectors (AAV/Lentivirus)

Flow cytometry

High-content imaging

MEA studies

iPSC differentiation

Next-generation sequencing

Job description

Saturnus Bio is a precision cardiology therapeutics company that utilizes targeted gene modulation to address mono-genetic cardiomyopathies with significant unmet need. Saturnus Bio is seeking an experienced cardiovascular scientist to progress targeted oligonucleotide therapeutic programs in precision genetic indications. The successful candidate will possess the ability to lead programs and people, while maintaining a presence as a direct scientific contributor on a focused research team. The position will have responsibilities that span early target validation to clinical candidate selection, with potential to impact company programs and strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret studies to evaluate pharmacology and address biological questions for drug discovery programs for cardiomyopathy targets.
• Apply advanced disease models, including patient-derived and gene-edited iPSCs, iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, and engineered 3D cardiac tissues, to assess target engagement, mechanism of action, and functional rescue.
• Provide deep biology expertise for cardiomyopathy programs to enable high quality target validation, hit ID, mechanistic pharmacology studies, and translational biomarker development to support project advancement.
• Collaborate closely with chemistry, in vitro pharmacology, bioinformatics, and translational research teams to advance oligonucleotide therapeutics from discovery through candidate selection.
• Maintain an active laboratory presence by designing, executing, and troubleshooting key experiments while providing technical leadership to the team.
• Communicate scientific strategy and program progress to senior leadership, external collaborators, and scientific advisors.
• Mentor and develop junior scientists through technical coaching, project leadership, and career development while contributing to a collaborative, high-performing research environment.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, or a related discipline, with 5-10+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug discovery experience (eventual title commensurate to experience).
• Demonstration of deep expertise in genetic cardiomyopathies and heart failure, through academic research or active contribution to drug discovery programs in a pharma or biotech setting.
• Broad expertise in molecular and cellular biology and ability to rapidly master new techniques needed for successful project advancement.
• Demonstrated experience in preclinical drug discovery programs, with experience and success contributing to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience developing and applying complex cellular models, particularly patient-derived and engineered iPSC systems, cardiomyocyte differentiation, and disease-relevant functional assays.
• Experience with the design and interpretation of in vivo rodent studies of genetic cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
• Proven ability to mentor scientists and foster cross-functional collaboration across discovery disciplines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with RNA biology and RNA-targeted therapeutics approaches, including oligonucleotide-based modalities.
• Experience with cellular biology techniques including high content imaging, immunofluorescence, 3D contractility, MEA studies, etc.
• Broad expertise in modern molecular biology techniques, including CRISPR genome engineering, viral vector systems (AAV/lentivirus), flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing, and high-content imaging.
• Strong publication and/or patent record in cardiomyopathy and heart failure or related fields.
• Demonstrated track record of mentoring scientists, building technical capabilities, and advancing discovery programs from concept through candidate selection.