Scientist, Retinal Degeneration

Role Summary

Sanofi is seeking a highly motivated Scientist to conduct preclinical drug discovery research for retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. In the Retinal Degeneration group within Ophthalmology Research, you will design and execute studies to validate therapeutic strategies and discover promising drug candidates. The successful candidate will work in Cambridge, MA, collaborating in matrixed, cross-functional teams to generate high-quality data packages to nominate and advance therapeutic candidates toward clinical development.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and document research studies to validate therapeutic targets and discover preclinical drug candidates
• Develop and optimize molecular, biochemical, and cellular assays to assess disease processes, target activity, and biomarkers in models of retinal disease and degeneration
• Perform experiments using genetic, biologic, and small molecule perturbations to validate targets, evaluate therapeutic strategies, and assess the pharmacology and efficacy preclinical candidates
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to support target prioritization, preclinical candidate selection, and go/no-go decisions
• Actively contribute to interdisciplinary research projects in a highly collaborative and matrixed manner
• Prepare high-quality presentations and documentation to support project deliverables, publications, patent filings, and regulatory filings
• Effectively communicate findings internally and externally through presentation and publication

Qualifications

• Required: Earned Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, bioengineering or other relevant field and 6+ years of research experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting OR earned Master’s degree in biological sciences, bioengineering or other relevant field and 3+ years research experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting
• Required: Solid understanding of degenerative disease mechanisms; experience in retinal disease and degeneration or neurodegeneration research strongly preferred
• Required: Experience in drug development, preferably within the biopharmaceutical industry
• Required: Experience with a broad range of molecular, cellular, and biochemical methods and assay development
• Required: Extensive cell culture experience, including work with primary cells, iPSC-derived cells, or 3D in vitro models
• Required: Experience designing, executing, and interpreting in vitro experiments using genetic or pharmacologic approaches to assess gene and protein function, signaling pathway activity, and/or cellular processes
• Required: Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality documents including experimental protocols, SOPs, technical reports, and presentations
• Required: Track record of impactful contributions to research projects and scientific publications
• Preferred: Experience using computational tools (e.g., R, Python) to analyze data
• Preferred: Experience evaluating target engagement and efficacy of preclinical candidates
• Preferred: Experience developing high-throughput assays and using automated screening platforms and robotics
• Preferred: Experience with live-cell and high-content imaging and analyses
• Preferred: Experience authoring regulatory documents to support IND or CTA submissions

Skills

• Ability to work independently as well as part of cross-functional teams in a highly collaborative and matrixed environment
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to rapidly changing priorities and deadlines
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build excellent working relationships
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, lab notebook practices, and attention to detail

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, bioengineering or other relevant field OR Master’s degree in biological sciences, bioengineering or other relevant field