Senior Scientist, Tissue Culture

Neurocrine Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with company match

Paid vacation

Holiday and personal days

Medical leave and health benefits

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences seeks a collaborative scientist to develop iPSC-derived cellular and disease models, including mono-, co-, and tri-culture systems, and to build robust cell-based assays for drug discovery. You will lead the high-content imaging platform (Operetta) and drive quantitative data analysis and interpretation.

The role emphasizes independent experimental design, training, and cross-functional collaboration to advance therapeutic programs.

Qualifications

• 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: Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams, along with experience training and mentoring junior scientists

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

iPSC models

HCI platforms

Image analysis

Co-culture models

Cell-based assays

Data analysis

Communication & leadership

Education

PhD in related field

MS/MA in related field

BS/BA in related field

Tools

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

• 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: Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams, along with experience training and mentoring junior scientists

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer. We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements.

Salary & Benefits

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $130,800.00-$179,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 30% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program.

Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

We Are a Top Place to Work

We are a top place to work. Neurocrine Biosciences was named one of the FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Biopharma 2025. We were also named a Great Place to Work Certified company.

OUR VALUES

• PASSION: We are driven and love what we do. We are committed to our goals and to making a difference.
• INTEGRITY: We do the right thing for patients and our community. We take accountability. We speak up.
• COLLABORATION: We trust one another. We are inclusive. We are respectful. We are transparent. Together we succeed.
• INNOVATION: We seek and create optimal solutions.
• TENACITY: We do not quit. We adapt. We accomplish what others cannot.

Come join our team during this exciting time of growth and opportunities!