Sr Scientist, Innovation Lab

Role Summary

Sr Scientist, Innovation Lab at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals. Responsible for designing, executing, and analyzing preclinical experiments for internal innovation programs and for operationalizing in-house laboratory facilities. Manages external research collaborations and translates unmet needs into viable therapeutic strategies across ophthalmology disease areas.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the expert scientific voice on the Innovation team, designing the scientific strategy and experimental plans to meet leadership goals
• Identify, establish, and oversee external research collaborations, advising on relationship management
• Lead the design, validation, and scientific oversight of experimental protocols
• Coordinate with external partners on in vivo ophthalmology models for efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity studies
• Oversee execution of experiments in the internal lab and conduct experiments as needed
• Conduct basic science and clinical literature reviews and summarize disease mechanisms and translation potential in presentations
• Lead analysis and interpretation of complex data sets and present findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams
• Contribute to development of laboratory infrastructure
• Serve as a scientific advisor on cross-functional initiatives and support diligence efforts
• Formally manage, mentor, and develop a team of scientists
• Lead development of laboratory infrastructure and delegate operational responsibilities over time
• Stay current with scientific and medical literature in relevant therapeutic areas

Qualifications

• PhD with 2+ years of life science industry experience, OR MS with 6+ years life sciences experience, OR BS with 8+ years life sciences experience
• Experience designing and executing preclinical studies, with expertise in in vitro techniques and cell/tissue culture
• Experience managing external research collaborations (CROs or academic partnerships) and multiple projects
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly communicate scientific findings
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while aligning with strategic objectives
• Experience setting up or managing laboratory operations
• Mentoring, supervising, or managing junior scientific staff strongly preferred
• Scientific ophthalmology experience strongly preferred

Skills

• Experimental design and strategy development
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Literature review and scientific communication
• Project and relationship management

Education

• PhD preferred; alternative with substantial life sciences industry experience considered

Additional Requirements

• Travel up to 30% may be required