Senior Research Associate/associate Scientist, Disease Biology & Translational Sciences

THE COMPANY Septerna is a biotechnology company with a vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused R&D company with a portfolio of life-changing medicines. The company’s Native Complex™ Platform recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular environment to enable new technologies for industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire GPCR target class for the first time. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule drug discovery programs, along with growth potential to reach many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date. Septerna was launched by scientific founders who have made groundbreaking GPCR discoveries and by founding investor Third Rock Ventures. For more information see: www.septerna.com.   Join a multidisciplinary team of colleagues focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address significant needs of patients.  Bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to our mission.  At Septerna we embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background; we share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations; and our employees learn from each other and succeed as a team.

THE ROLE The Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist will primarily be responsible for the development and conduct of in vivo, ex vivo, as well as in vitro studies in Disease Biology and Translational Sciences to support the advancement of Septerna’s small molecule drug discovery pipeline. They will work independently and collaboratively in an inter-disciplinary setting to design and execute and troubleshoot studies and experiments in preclinical models to understand in vivo pharmacology, establish PK/PD relationships, and therapeutic mechanism of action of Septerna’s compounds and help determine efficacy.  They will help generate and analyze functional data to determine the therapeutic mechanism of action, and rank candidates for preclinical development.  They may also engage in biomarker discovery efforts by utilizing a variety of ex vivo and in vivo models to enable and inform effective therapeutic development. We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity for a strong technical and scientifically seasoned individual to work with a talented team on the frontlines of therapeutic discovery and development.  You will help move therapies through preclinical development, positioning them for success in the clinic.  The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team on the frontlines of innovative therapeutic development. The position is based in South San Francisco, CA and reports to the Director of Disease Biology.

*Title commensurate with experience

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to: ·         Design, develop and execute known and novel in vivo and in vitro studies to inform disease mechanism and determine statistical significance of finding ·         Generate, analyze, document, and interpret data to establish functional PK/PD relationships and compound therapeutic mechanism of action ·         Work collaboratively to contextualize findings with drug candidates and carry out complex experiments emerging fields of biology·           ·         Be an integral and proactive member of multiple project teams owns specific milestones and has an understanding of drug development and present results team department and company meetings ·         Perform literature reviews, read and interpret papers to help design and trouble-shoot and plan established and novel in vivo and in vitro experiments ·         Independently seeks out guidance where necessary and collaborate to find solutions ·         Organizes work effectively to meet deadlines ·         Author in vivo pharmacology study designs, protocols, and reports to support regulatory filings and communicate plans to manager and more broadly ·         May train other staff in experimental and technical procedures ·         Follow all company policies/practices, and maintain accurate records and notebooks

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE ·         BSc or MSc in Pharmacology, Toxicology, or related biological science ·         At least 6 (or 4 years with MSc) direct hands-on experience with in vivo studies or disease models in academia or the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries ·         Ability to be hands on and work directly with in vivo rodent models ·         Experience working with other scientists to analyze, interpret, and present data ·         Ability to write protocols and independently trouble-shoot biological experiments ·         Detail-oriented, collaborative, and organized, with strong interpersonal skills for clear and effective communication – ability to proactively engage with colleagues to organize efforts and tackle issues and solve problems   PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE ·         Experience working with primary cells and  ex vivo models ·         Experience generating surgical models in rodents ·         Previous work on therapeutic discovery and development programs in the field of endocrine, inflammatory, and especially metabolic diseases ·         Experience working with vendors and CROs to execute studies, analyze data, and generate reports

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $88,000 - $105,000. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location and relevant education or training. Septerna's compensation package also includes benefits, stock options, and annual target bonus for full-time positions.