Scientist I or II, In Vivo Pharmacology, Drug Discovery

About the ALS Therapy Development Institute

The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is the world's leading nonprofit biotech focused exclusively on discovering and developing effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our multidisciplinary team integrates in vivo pharmacology, molecular biology, and clinical insights to accelerate ALS therapy development from bench to bedside.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to join our preclinical pharmacology team. The successful candidate will bring a broad and robust technical skill set largely focused on in vivo techniques. This position is responsible for developing new animal models of ALS and performing preclinical pharmacology studies to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of experimental drugs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret pharmacology studies including tolerability, PK/PD, and efficacy to evaluate therapeutic candidates.
• Perform aseptic surgical procedures in rodents such as stereotaxic ICV and intrathecal injections and osmotic pump implantations.
• Develop and conduct phenotypic, behavioral, and functional assays to assess drug efficacy and characterize disease progression.
• Generate and characterize novel ALS models using transgenic approaches, viral vectors, and CRISPR-based genome editing
• Design and manage transgenic mouse breeding strategies to investigate genetic interactions.
• Write grant proposals, manuscripts, presentations, and reports to communicate experimental findings.
• Prepare and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure all studies comply with IACUC, animal welfare, and biosafety requirements.
• Mentor and train junior staff in experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific problem solving.
• Stay current with emerging scientific advances in the ALS field and proactively share insights and new methodologies with the team.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in neuroscience, pharmacology, molecular biology, or related field
• Strong publication record with at least two first-author papers
• Hands on experience with rodent models, behavioral assays, and stereotaxic surgery
• Background in mouse model development, transgenic strategies, or genetic engineering
• Strong foundation in experimental design and statistical analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strongly Preferred

• Postdoctoral or industry experience in drug discovery or translational research
• Work in ALS or related neurodegenerative diseases
• Experience with transgenic colony management, genotyping, and breeding strategies
• Experience with histology, immunohistochemistry, or imaging-based analyses
• Proficiency in standard molecular and biochemical techniques like Western blot, PCR, ELISA, etc.

Nice to Have

• Work with non-rodent models (zebrafish, Drosophila, C. elegans)
• Exposure to gene therapy, antisense oligonucleotides, or biologics
• Familiarity with pharmacology studies and drug discovery workflows
• Proficiency with coding and AI based tools
• Experience mentoring junior scientists or supervising small teams.

What We Offer

• A mission-driven environment focused on accelerating therapies for ALS patients.
• A collaborative, cross-functional research setting with access to advanced technology platforms.
• A competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and level.
• Opportunities for scientific growth and contribution to high-impact research.