Scientific Director, Neurodegenerative Disease
Neurocrine Biosciences
June 26, 2026
Remote friendly (San Diego, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
About The Role
Neurocrine is seeking an experienced and strategic Scientific Director, Neurodegenerative Disease to provide senior scientific leadership across discovery and translational biology programs within the Neurology Therapeutic Area, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Your Contributions (include, But Are Not Limited To)
- Provide scientific leadership across discovery and translational biology efforts for Neurology programs focused on Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders
- Serve as an internal expert in neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and microglial biology; contribute to portfolio strategy, target identification, and program direction
- Lead translational research strategies connecting disease biology to pharmacology, biomarkers, preclinical models, and proof-of-concept studies
- Oversee design, application, and interpretation of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays and disease-relevant model systems
- Partner cross-functionally with Biology, Pharmacology, Translational Sciences, Biomarkers, DMPK, Toxicology, Project Leadership, Clinical Development, and Business Development
- Evaluate internal and external scientific opportunities (target biology, platform capabilities, translational relevance, competitive differentiation)
- Interpret complex datasets across multiple modalities; communicate strategy and recommendations clearly
- Mentor scientists and foster a collaborative, innovative, scientifically rigorous environment
Requirements
- PhD/MD/equivalent with 7+ years’ industry/translational research experience in biotech/pharma drug discovery, including scientific leadership in neurodegeneration OR
- MS/MA in biology or similar with 10+ years’ experience OR
- BS/BA in biology or similar with 12+ years’ experience
- Deep expertise in Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders (disease biology, target validation, translational preclinical strategy)
- Strong background in microglial biology, neuroinflammation, and CNS innate immune pathways; hands-on and strategic experience with relevant preclinical assays and disease models
- Demonstrated success advancing programs from target discovery through preclinical candidate support in a matrixed, cross-functional environment
Preferred Experience
- Translational endpoints (pharmacodynamic biomarkers, disease-relevant readouts, omics profiling, patient-derived systems)
- Emerging neurodegenerative therapeutic approaches (biologics, small molecules, gene-modifying, immune-modulating)
- Integrating human genetics, clinical literature, translational datasets, and preclinical pharmacology to prioritize targets/programs
- Leading early research portfolio expansion via novel target ideation or external innovation assessment
Neurocrine is seeking an experienced and strategic Scientific Director, Neurodegenerative Disease to provide senior scientific leadership across discovery and translational biology programs within the Neurology Therapeutic Area, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Your Contributions (include, But Are Not Limited To)
- Provide scientific leadership across discovery and translational biology efforts for Neurology programs focused on Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders
- Serve as an internal expert in neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and microglial biology; contribute to portfolio strategy, target identification, and program direction
- Lead translational research strategies connecting disease biology to pharmacology, biomarkers, preclinical models, and proof-of-concept studies
- Oversee design, application, and interpretation of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays and disease-relevant model systems
- Partner cross-functionally with Biology, Pharmacology, Translational Sciences, Biomarkers, DMPK, Toxicology, Project Leadership, Clinical Development, and Business Development
- Evaluate internal and external scientific opportunities (target biology, platform capabilities, translational relevance, competitive differentiation)
- Interpret complex datasets across multiple modalities; communicate strategy and recommendations clearly
- Mentor scientists and foster a collaborative, innovative, scientifically rigorous environment
Requirements
- PhD/MD/equivalent with 7+ years’ industry/translational research experience in biotech/pharma drug discovery, including scientific leadership in neurodegeneration OR
- MS/MA in biology or similar with 10+ years’ experience OR
- BS/BA in biology or similar with 12+ years’ experience
- Deep expertise in Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders (disease biology, target validation, translational preclinical strategy)
- Strong background in microglial biology, neuroinflammation, and CNS innate immune pathways; hands-on and strategic experience with relevant preclinical assays and disease models
- Demonstrated success advancing programs from target discovery through preclinical candidate support in a matrixed, cross-functional environment
Preferred Experience
- Translational endpoints (pharmacodynamic biomarkers, disease-relevant readouts, omics profiling, patient-derived systems)
- Emerging neurodegenerative therapeutic approaches (biologics, small molecules, gene-modifying, immune-modulating)
- Integrating human genetics, clinical literature, translational datasets, and preclinical pharmacology to prioritize targets/programs
- Leading early research portfolio expansion via novel target ideation or external innovation assessment