Senior Scientist II (Pharmacology)
Exelixis
August 19, 2026
On-site
Alameda, CA
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Lead, design, execute, and interpret in vivo pharmacology (PK/PD/efficacy) experiments testing selected compounds in rodent tumor models.
- Establish PK/PD/efficacy relationships and characterize tox profiles using preclinical animal models.
- Represent the Pharmacology function and/or serve as Project Team Co-Lead (PTL) on Discovery project teams.
- Provide scientific support to project teams and Discovery/Pharmacology staff.
- Use literature and internal data to design and test hypotheses for drug targets.
- Coordinate with CROs to execute studies on schedule.
- Prepare Pharmacology study reports and support IND filings.
- Collaborate with the IACUC committee to ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations.
- May manage a team in the Pharmacology group.
Qualifications:
- PhD in Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, Molecular/Cellular Biology, or related field with at least 2 years industrial experience after postdoctoral training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Deep understanding of in vivo PK/PD/efficacy concepts for oncology drug discovery.
- Extensive experience with in vivo tumor models (xenograft, syngeneic, genetically engineered mouse, orthotopic, PDX, humanized) to test cancer therapies.
- Proven track record writing regulatory/IND preclinical Pharmacology documents.
- Strong experimental design and data analysis/interpretation.
- Must have cell culture expertise (aseptic technique) and basic in vivo skills (e.g., handling, routes of administration, blood collection).
- Strong publication record; managerial experience with a small group (3–5 people).
Skills/Knowledge:
- Animal handling; dosing (po/iv/sc/ip/im); blood/tissue collection/perfusion; necropsy; tumor measurement; clinical observation; rodent survival surgeries.
- Knowledge of IACUC and AAALAC regulations.
- Ability to adapt to fast-paced environments; team collaboration and coaching; excellent oral/written communication; detail-oriented problem solving.
- Advanced MS Office, PDF, GraphPad, ELN notebook, Studylog.
Working conditions/complexity:
- May require weekend/holiday work for in vivo studies.
Benefits:
- 401k with company contributions; group medical/dental/vision; life/disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; discretionary annual bonus (or sales incentive for field sales); stock purchase; 15 vacation days; 17 paid holidays including winter shutdown; up to 10 sick days.
Application instruction:
- If you need a recruiting-process disability accommodation, email ApplicantAccommodations@exelixis.com.
- Lead, design, execute, and interpret in vivo pharmacology (PK/PD/efficacy) experiments testing selected compounds in rodent tumor models.
- Establish PK/PD/efficacy relationships and characterize tox profiles using preclinical animal models.
- Represent the Pharmacology function and/or serve as Project Team Co-Lead (PTL) on Discovery project teams.
- Provide scientific support to project teams and Discovery/Pharmacology staff.
- Use literature and internal data to design and test hypotheses for drug targets.
- Coordinate with CROs to execute studies on schedule.
- Prepare Pharmacology study reports and support IND filings.
- Collaborate with the IACUC committee to ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations.
- May manage a team in the Pharmacology group.
Qualifications:
- PhD in Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, Molecular/Cellular Biology, or related field with at least 2 years industrial experience after postdoctoral training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Deep understanding of in vivo PK/PD/efficacy concepts for oncology drug discovery.
- Extensive experience with in vivo tumor models (xenograft, syngeneic, genetically engineered mouse, orthotopic, PDX, humanized) to test cancer therapies.
- Proven track record writing regulatory/IND preclinical Pharmacology documents.
- Strong experimental design and data analysis/interpretation.
- Must have cell culture expertise (aseptic technique) and basic in vivo skills (e.g., handling, routes of administration, blood collection).
- Strong publication record; managerial experience with a small group (3–5 people).
Skills/Knowledge:
- Animal handling; dosing (po/iv/sc/ip/im); blood/tissue collection/perfusion; necropsy; tumor measurement; clinical observation; rodent survival surgeries.
- Knowledge of IACUC and AAALAC regulations.
- Ability to adapt to fast-paced environments; team collaboration and coaching; excellent oral/written communication; detail-oriented problem solving.
- Advanced MS Office, PDF, GraphPad, ELN notebook, Studylog.
Working conditions/complexity:
- May require weekend/holiday work for in vivo studies.
Benefits:
- 401k with company contributions; group medical/dental/vision; life/disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; discretionary annual bonus (or sales incentive for field sales); stock purchase; 15 vacation days; 17 paid holidays including winter shutdown; up to 10 sick days.
Application instruction:
- If you need a recruiting-process disability accommodation, email ApplicantAccommodations@exelixis.com.