Description

Principal Scientist/Associate Director, Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics (PKPD)

What’s in it for you?

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to join the Pharmacokinetics (PK) Group in the Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) at Mersana Therapeutics. In this role, you will lead the PK group and PK/Pharmacodynamics (PD) related efforts. You will have an opportunity to impact Mersana by influencing the PK related analysis and modeling strategies and providing PKPD insights based on integrated data. Additionally, you will form close partnerships with colleagues inside and outside DMPK such as Biotransformation and Bioanalysis (BA) scientists, biologists, chemists, toxicologists, clinical pharmacologists etc.  You will be an integral part of core non-clinical discovery and development project teams where you will actively contribute to definition of scientific objectives, communicate results, discuss significance of data, and propose next steps. This role reports to the Senior Director, DMPK.

How do you know if you’re the right fit?

You will have experience:

• Performing hands-on PK analysis and modeling, interpret, integrate and report DMPK data and providing insights into PKPD
• Designing, analyzing, and interpreting in vitro and in vivo non-clinical studies to understand PK and absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion (ADME) properties of ADC candidates
• Developing and implementing mathematical PK/PD/Biomarker/Efficacy models to elucidate the quantitative PK/PD relationships in pre-clinical species
• Establishing and implementing PKPD and physiology-based PK (PBPK) modeling strategies in integrating in vitro and in vivo data to gain in-depth understanding of the mechanism of action, cross-species translation, and human PK/dose projection in the non-clinical setting
• Overseeing IND enabling studies in areas of PKPD and toxicokinetics, in collaboration with and support Toxicology, Biology, Clinical Pharmacology and other departments
• Working with Clinical Pharmacology and/or CROs to assess the clinical potential for drug-to-drug interactions using PBPK modeling tools (e.g., SimCYP).
• Authoring high quality regulatory documents including IND and BLA filings.
• Potentially supervising junior scientists and/or associates

This position is best suited for PhD level candidates with 5+ years of experience or BS/MS candidates with 8+ years of experience in pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences or other related disciplines. 

Additional qualifications include:

• Broad background knowledge in ADME with strong expertise in PK analysis and modeling (e.g., non-compartmental, compartmental, PBPK).
• Basic programming language (e.g., R, Python) and in-depth understanding of PK principles and PKPD concepts
• Hands-on modeling experience using Phoenix Winnonlin, Gastroplus, SimCYP, ADAPT and/or similar software
• Experience with preparation of regulatory documents, such as IND, LBA, NDA, etc. desirable
• Proven track record of scientific achievements and communication skills

The other stuff

Position is eligible for bonus, option awards and benefits including medical, dental and life insurance, 401(k) participation, vacation and paid holidays.

Successful candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.