Pioneering Medicines: Principal Scientist, Metabolic Disease

What if... We could harness the power of Flagship’s scientific platforms and create novel treatment options that benefit more patients, sooner?

Pioneering Medicines, an initiative of Flagship Pioneering, is building a world-class biopharmaceutical R&D capability focused on conceiving and developing life-changing treatments for patients by harnessing the power of Flagship's scientific platforms and applying those innovative approaches to serious diseases with unmet medical need. Unique to Pioneering Medicines’ approach is the opportunity to combine platforms to create truly novel and potentially transformative treatments. 

 

Position Summary:

We are seeking an innovative, independent and dynamic research scientist to work as part of a team to drive the development of innovative therapeutic drugs in the broad area of metabolic disease. This individual will collaborate with in vivo biology, translational science and nonclinical groups to help execute on company strategy. The individual should have a proven track record both metabolic disease process as well as the biology.

This role will be based at our Cambridge, MA location. We have a hybrid model and onsite presence 3 times per week is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the drug discovery process with a goal to  nominate targets with proof of concepts studies
• Act as a leader of a team tasked with screening, characterization, and mechanism of action studies to elucidate signaling pathways for target identification, and validation utilizing  complex cellular models, various modalities, including small molecules, biologics, gene editing , and omics approaches through AI and ML
• Lead early drug projects in the metabolic disease space, propose and champion new targets and novel approaches for disease treatment. 
• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo research plans to evaluate targets modulating pathways in the broad area of metabolic diseases
• Develop assays and implement new technologies to enable the delivery of high quality data-driven package and enable project decisions go/no-go portfolio transitions.
• Record and interpret experimental data, and present results to project team members.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills to present concepts and data to PM Leadership.
• Collaborate with other scientists in a global matrixed dynamic environment fostering innovation and advance project activities. Develop and maintain external relationships/contacts.
•  Deliver impact to projects by identifying technical trends, both internal and external to your subject area.

 Basic Requirements:

• Ph.D in Biological sciences, or related discipline with  post doctoral experience and a minimum of 10 plus years of independent research experience in academic and/or industry experience preferably in the metabolic disease/biology space.
•  In-depth knowledge of (patho-)physiology of metabolism, including direct experience complex in vitro cell-based platforms recapitulating human disease phenotype and in vivo models of disease progression
•  Extensive “hands-on” experience and track-record in the use of a wide range of cellular, biochemical and functional assays and technologies to unravel complex cellular signaling pathways.
• Track record of leading discovery projects to elucidate mechanistic target biology and validation in the disease areas.
• Have an extensive knowledge of the literature in the metabolic biology/disease space, including both basic and clinical research.
• A proven scientific impact on innovation through a solid publication track record and strong external scientific network with academic experts.
  * Excellent oral and written English communication skills, with an ability to effectively interact with people in a dynamic matrix environment, both internally and externally

Additional Qualifications:

• Industrial experience in drug development considered a plus, but is not required.
• Experience in working in collaborations within academia and/or biotechs considered a plus, but not required.
• Research background in adipose, muscle, and mitochondrial biology preferred.

About Flagship Pioneering:

Flagship Pioneering is a biotechnology company that invents and builds platform companies that change the world. We bring together the greatest scientific minds with entrepreneurial company builders and assemble the capital to allow them to take courageous leaps. Those big leaps in human health and sustainability exponentially accelerate scientific progress in areas ranging from cancer detection and treatment to nature-positive agriculture.   

What sets Flagship apart is our ability to advance bi