Sr. Principal Scientist, Clinical Pharmacology

Neurocrine Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Holiday and personal days

Parental/caregiver leave

Health benefits

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences in San Diego seeks a Senior Clinical Pharmacologist to lead PK/PD studies, dose selection, and PK/PD interpretation within our clinical development portfolio. You will coordinate with pharmacometrics, CROs, and cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality deliverables and regulatory-ready data.

The role emphasizes modeling and simulation, strategic input on protocols, and mentorship of junior scientists, with ongoing exposure to evolving regulatory expectations and

Qualifications

• Requirements include advanced degree with extensive clinical pharmacology experience.
• Strong PK/PD interpretation and data analysis in clinical development.
• Experience coordinating pharmacometrics, CROs, and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to development and execution of Clinical Pharmacology strategies for assigned programs.
• Leads planning, conduct, interpretation, and reporting of PK/PD and exposure–response activities.
• Represents Clinical Pharmacology on cross-functional teams; designs studies and interprets results across development stages.
• Oversees deliverables including analysis plans and regulatory documents (INDs, CTAs, NDAs, MAAs).
• Mentors junior scientists and stays current with regulatory expectations.

Skills

PK/PD interpretation

Modeling & sim tools

Regulatory knowledge

Vendor management

Mentoring & leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Pharmacology/PharmD

Tools

In silico modeling tools

Pharmacometrics software

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:

Provides Clinical Pharmacology scientific support for one or more clinical development programs. Leads the planning, execution, interpretation, and communication of Clinical Pharmacology activities and contributes to dose selection and study design across a portfolio that includes diverse therapeutic modalities. Represents Clinical Pharmacology on cross-functional teams, coordinates with pharmacometrics partners as needed, and ensures high-quality Clinical Pharmacology deliverables and recommendations that enable development and regulatory decision-making.

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

• Contributes to the development and execution of Clinical Pharmacology strategies for assigned programs or therapeutic areas, aligned with overall development plans
• Leads the planning, conduct, interpretation, and reporting of pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and exposure–response activities for clinical development compounds
• Serves as the Clinical Pharmacology representative on cross-functional program teams, providing scientific input to protocol design, dose selection, and study interpretation across development stages
• Oversees Clinical Pharmacology deliverables, including analysis plans, reports, and contributions to regulatory documents (e.g., INDs, CTAs, NDAs, briefing books, Investigator Brochures)
• Applies modeling and simulation approaches to inform study design, dose justification, and decision-making, with guidance from senior leadership as needed
• Manages and oversees external vendors and CROs to ensure high-quality, timely Clinical Pharmacology analyses and deliverables
• Ensures Clinical Pharmacology activities are conducted in compliance with applicable SOPs, regulatory guidance, and internal standards
• Communicates Clinical Pharmacology results and recommendations clearly to cross-functional teams and management, including preparation and delivery of scientific presentations
• Identifies and resolves complex scientific or operational issues within assigned scope, escalating broader strategic risks as appropriate
• Mentors and provides scientific guidance to junior scientists and team members; may have direct supervisory responsibility
• Stays current with evolving regulatory expectations, scientific advancements, and industry best practices relevant to Clinical Pharmacology
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree AND 10+ years of relevant experience OR Masters degree AND 8+ years of relevant experience OR PhD and/or PharmD AND 5+ years of relevant experience
• Extensive knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data interpretation in the context of clinical development
• Innovator, drug hunter/developer
• Extensive knowledge of managing clinical Contract Research Organizations
• Proven track record in preparation of INDs, CTAs, NDAs and MAAs
• Strong knowledge of in silico modeling and simulation tools
• Demonstrated knowledge of current regulatory guidance
• Ability to develop scientific insights from highly complex data sets
• Ability to drive strategic direction into tactical plans
• Strong mentoring skills and leadership abilities; may supervise lower levels and/or leads indirect teams #LI-DM1

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.

We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $173,600.00-$237,000.00. 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.

• a retirement savings plan (with company match)
• paid vacation
• holiday and personal days
• paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• 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.

Neurocrine Biosciences was named one of the Fortune Best Workplaces in Biopharma 2025. We were also named a Great Place to Work company. Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

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!