Senior Scientist, Tissue Culture

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. seeks a collaborative scientist to develop and characterize iPSC-derived cellular and disease models, including mono-, co-, and tri-culture systems, and to establish cell-based assays to support drug discovery.

The successful candidate will lead the high-content imaging platform (Operetta), optimize image-analysis workflows, and work cross-functionally to advance programs across therapeutic areas.

Qualifications

• BS/BA with 6+ years of relevant experience, or MS/MA with 4+ years, or PhD with 2+ years.
• Experience with iPSC-derived cell models and multicellular systems (neurons, astrocytes, microglia)
• Strong in high-content imaging, assay development, and quantitative data analysis
• Familiarity with image analysis pipelines and large imaging datasets
• Independence in designing experiments and communicating results

Responsibilities

• Lead development and characterization of iPSC-derived models (mono-, co-, tri-culture).
• Develop and optimize cell-based assays and readouts for therapeutics and drug discovery.
• Lead high-content imaging (Operetta): experimental design, acquisition, instrument optimization, and data analysis.
• Create automated image-analysis pipelines: segmentation, classification, and phenotypic profiling.
• Provide training and support for HCI tools and data workflows.
• Plan and troubleshoot experiments; interpret data and guide next steps.
• Evaluate new cell models and imaging approaches to expand capabilities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to advance programs.

Skills

High-content imaging

iPSC-derived models

Experimental design

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelors degree

Masters degree

PhD

Tools

Revvity Operetta

Harmony

CellProfiler

Spotfire

Prism

Job description

Who We Are:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com , and follow the company on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and YouTube . ( *in collaboration with AbbVie )

About the Role:

We are seeking a collaborative and highly motivated scientist to join our Research team. The primary role will be to develop and characterize physiologically relevant iPSC-derived cellular and disease models, including mono-, co-, and tri-culture systems, and establish cell-based assays to support the evaluation and characterization of molecules to answer a broad range of biological questions.

The successful candidate will have strong high-content imaging (HCI) expertise including assay development, image acquisition optimization and quantitative data analysis, and will serve as a technical expert for our HCI platform. Experience developing complex multicellular models, particularly neuron, astrocyte and microglia co- or triculture systems is highly preferred.

Your Contributions (include, but are not limited to):

• Lead the development, optimization, and characterization of iPSC-derived cellular and disease models, including mono-, co-, and tri-culture systems, assessing model robustness and reproducibility, cellular phenotype and function, and disease-relevant biology
• Develop and optimize cell-based assays and phenotypic readouts to evaluate therapeutics and support drug discovery programs
• Lead the high-content imaging platform (Operetta), including experimental design, image acquisition, instrument optimization, development of image-analysis workflows, quantitative data analysis, and interpretation and presentation of results
• Develop and optimize automated image-analysis pipelines, including segmentation, classification, feature extraction, and phenotypic profiling. Apply advanced image analysis approaches when appropriate
• Provide training and technical support for the HCI instrumentation, image-analysis software, and associated data-analysis workflows
• Independently design and execute experimental plans, troubleshoot biological and technical challenges, analyze and interpret data, and communicate results and recommendations to project teams.
• Evaluate and implement new cell models, assay technologies, imaging approaches, and analytical tools to expand the group's capabilities
• Work cross-functionally with other departments and scientific colleagues to support therapeutics testing, characterization, and program advancement

Requirements:

• BS/BA and 6+ years of experience; OR
• MS/MA and 4+ years of experience, OR
• PhD or equivalent and 2+ years of relevant experience; may include postdoc experience
• iPSC & Complex Cellular Models: Strong expertise with iPSC-derived cell models, including development, optimization, characterization, and use of complex multicellular systems. Experience with neuron, astrocyte, and microglia co- or tri-culture models is highly preferred, along with the ability to apply these approaches to cellular models across therapeutic areas
• High-Content Imaging & Data Analysis: Strong experience with HCI platforms and development of image-analysis pipelines, including segmentation, classification, phenotypic quantification, and analysis of large imaging datasets. Experience with Revvity Operetta and Harmony is strongly preferred. Experience with CellProfiler, Spotfire, Prism, or similar tools is desirable
• Cell-Based & Functional Assays: Strong experience developing and optimizing robust cell-based assays. Experience with live-cell imaging, calcium imaging, MEA, or other functional readouts is preferred.- Cellular & Molecular Characterization: Experience with techniques such as flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, RNA-seq/transcriptomic analysis, immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence, and protein-based assays is preferred
• Scientific Independence: Demonstrated ability to independently develop experimental strategies, execute complex studies, troubleshoot technical challenges, interpret results, and recommend next steps.Communication and Leadership: Stron