Senior Scientist, Ocular In Vivo Translational Sciences

Job Title: Senior Scientist, Ocular In Vivo Translational Sciences

Location: Cambridge, MA

About the Job

Are you ready to shape the future of medicine? The race is on to speed up drug discovery and development to find answers for patients and their families. Your skills could be critical in helping our teams accelerate progress. 

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Scientist with expertise in in vivo ocular research to join Sanofi's innovative Ophthalmology Research team. You will contribute to IND-enabling preclinical studies, help develop novel disease models and support the advancement of innovative therapies for vision-threatening diseases. In this role, you will apply hands-on expertise in ocular techniques in close collaboration with internal and external teams and contribute to the development of preclinical ocular models and complex in vivo studies.

Main Responsibilities 

• Execute and analyze in vivo ocular studies in relevant animal models to support drug discovery and development programs

• Perform pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety assessments of potential ocular therapeutics

• Support the development and characterization of preclinical ocular disease models

• Perform ocular dosing procedures, including intravitreal, intracameral, suprachoroidal, subretinal, topical, and systemic routes in rodents

• Utilize advanced ocular imaging modalities (OCT, fundus photography, ERG, IOP, OKR)

• Conduct molecular analyses including digital PCR, ELISA, and Western blotting

• Perform histological techniques on tissue sections and flat mounts

• Operate automated platforms for molecular and histological assays

• Conduct ex vivo studies on ocular explants as needed

• Author scientific publications and present research findings at internal governance meetings and external conferences

• Manage ongoing and upcoming studies and collaborate with project team members to advance ophthalmology research programs

• Familiarity with animal welfare regulations and ethical guidelines

About You

• Earned PhD in Vision Science, Ophthalmology, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, or related field with 3+ years of relevant post-PhD/doc experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting

• Demonstrated experience in designing, executing, and interpreting in vivo ocular studies with hands-on expertise in ocular disease models

• Advanced proficiency in surgical and non-surgical techniques for ocular research in rodent models, including various routes of ocular drug administration

• Strong knowledge of ocular anatomy, physiology, and pathology with expertise in using ocular imaging modalities (OCT, fundus photography, ERG, IOP, OKR)

• Proficiency in molecular biology and histological techniques

• Track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals related to ocular research

• Strong data analysis, interpretation skills, and experience with documentation for regulatory submissions

• Excellent project management and communication skills with flexibility to pivot to meet changing project needs and deadlines

Preferred qualifications

• Hands-on experience phenotyping ocular disease models in AMD, glaucoma, DME, DR, etc.

• Experience conducting PK, PD and efficacy studies in ocular models

• Experience with automated methodologies for tissue analysis such as automated nucleic acid and protein extraction from tissues and automated histology – IHC, IF, ISH.

• Experience with therapeutic modalities including small molecules, biologics, proteins, nucleic acids, and gene therapies

• Experience conducting and managing animal (small and large) studies at contract research organizations

• Experience analyzing data using computational approaches

Skills and competencies:

• Advanced in vivo expertise and deep scientific knowledge in the ocular field

• Ability to take the lead on research initiatives

• Training capabilities to guide junior team members and troubleshoot complex issues

• Innovation mindset with focus on developing novel approaches and pushing scientific boundaries

• Cross-functional collaboration skills to work effectively across teams and key stakeholders

Why Choose Us

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive