Scientist, Retinal Degeneration

Role Summary

Location: Cambridge, MA. Sanofi is seeking a highly motivated scientist to conduct preclinical drug discovery research for retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. As a Scientist 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 collaboratively in matrixed, cross-functional teams to generate high-quality data packages to nominate and advance therapeutic candidates toward clinical development. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to ophthalmology therapeutics and bring transformative vision-preserving treatments to patients worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and document translational 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 plus minimum 6 years of relevant experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting or Master’s Degree plus minimum 3 years relevant experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting
• Required: Research experience in ocular cell biology (e.g., RPE, RGC) or disease-relevant processes (e.g., cell death, metabolic and oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, tissue remodeling, barrier function, inflammatory signaling)
• Required: Demonstrated experience in translational research or preclinical drug development (in vitro experience highly preferred)
• Required: Broad experience with molecular, cellular, and biochemical methods and assay development
• Required: Cell culture experience, including work with primary cells, iPSC-derived cells, tissue explants, or cell models relevant to ocular biology
• Required: Experience with genetic or pharmacologic approaches to assess gene and protein function, signaling pathway activity, and/or cellular processes
• Required: Experience preparing high-quality documents including experimental protocols, SOPs, technical reports, and presentations
• Required: Track record of contributions to research projects and scientific publications
• Preferred: Experience analyzing data using computational and statistical tools (e.g., R, Python)
• Preferred: Experience in translational or preclinical drug development for retinal diseases
• Preferred: Experience evaluating target engagement and efficacy of preclinical candidates
• Preferred: Experience developing and conducting high-throughput assays
• Preferred: Experience with cell-based models of retinal disease and degeneration, including primary and iPSC-derived cells
• Preferred: Experience with live-cell and high-content imaging and analyses

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