About the role
AI summarisedSenior scientific leader responsible for end-to-end preclinical development of siRNA/ASO programmes targeting MASH, obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. Owns discovery from target validation through preclinical candidate selection, builds in-house and CRO capabilities, and mentors a growing team while ensuring rigorous, compliant execution.
ResearchOnsite
Key Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end scientific and project strategy for one or more siRNA / ASO discovery programmes from target validation to selection of a Preclinical Candidate in MASH, obesity and/or musculoskeletal diseases
- Establish and execute integrated in vitro and in vivo workflows to support pipeline projects and generate robust high-quality data to support decision-making process
- Drive clear, go / no-go recommendations based on integrated assessment of biology, PK/PD, and disease-relevant efficacy endpoints
- Ensure scientific rigour, reproducibility, documentation, and transparency across internal and CRO-executed activities
- Design, execute, and optimise in vitro screening cascades for siRNA / ASO programmes across key metabolic tissues (liver, muscle, adipose), incorporating potency, durability, concentration response curve, and delivery-dependent activity
- Develop and deploy mechanistic and functional cell-based assays to link target knockdown with metabolic pathway modulation and disease-relevant phenotypes
- Support discovery and optimisation of novel siRNA/ASO delivery platforms, with emphasis on enabling effective extrahepatic cellular uptake and functional knockdown
- Lead hit identification, prioritisation, and lead generation by integrating in vitro potency, functional relevance, delivery compatibility, and translational hypotheses
- Establish assay transferability and performance standards for internal execution and CRO deployment
- Design, oversee, and interpret in vivo PK/PD, biodistribution, and knockdown efficacy studies
- Establish exposure response and knockdown response relationships to guide lead optimisation and selection
Requirements
- PhD in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or related discipline
- A minimum of 4+ (Scientist), 8+ (Senior Scientist), 12+ (Principal Scientist) years of industry experience leading siRNA / ASO discovery programmes, ideally in CVMD
- Strong hands-on expertise in: Cell-based screening and mechanistic assays In vivo PK/PD and knockdown biology Obesity and MASH disease models
- Demonstrated success in early drug discovery, from target validation through hit identification and lead generation
- Experience establishing new capabilities or platforms and scaling programmes through CRO partnerships
- Strong programme management skills with the ability to drive decision-grade outcomes
- Scientifically rigorous, data-driven leader with excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Collaborative mentor capable of balancing hands-on execution, team building, and strategic ownership