Senior Research Associate

Astellas Pharma - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Cambridge, MA

Management of Companies and Enterprises

About the position

The Senior Research Associate at Astellas Pharma is responsible for conducting high-quality bench research and performing in vitro and/or in vivo assays to support drug discovery efforts. This role involves close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure program goals are met, while maintaining a focus on the integrity and quality of scientific data generated. The position is critical for advancing new drug candidates through the discovery pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality bench research and perform in vitro and/or in vivo assays.
• Plan and execute in vitro/in vivo studies to obtain key data for program milestones.
• Ensure efficient and technically competent execution of lab work for early-stage projects.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of experimental data.
• Interpret experimental data, perform statistical analysis, and communicate findings with colleagues.
• Present data at regular internal meetings.
• Report to manager and program lead.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (BS), Master's degree (MS), or PhD in a relevant scientific field.
• BS with minimum 5+ years of drug discovery experience.
• MS with minimum 3+ years of drug discovery experience.
• PhD with minimum 0-1+ years of drug discovery experience.
• Proficiency in cell handling and tissue culture techniques.
• Strong background in molecular biology, including DNA, RNA, and protein methodologies.
• Competence in designing and executing a wide range of in vitro assays and/or in vivo animal models.
• Demonstrated experience in assay development for novel entities or targets.
• Skilled in in vivo tissue processing and biological sample analysis.
• In-depth understanding of pharmacology in non-clinical drug discovery settings.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.

Nice-to-haves

• General knowledge of drug discovery processes with 3+ years of industry experience.
• Drug discovery experience in multiple disease areas, such as oncology and immunology.
• Experience with cutting-edge molecular biology techniques.
• Deep understanding of in vivo disease models.
• Experience in the development and validation of non-clinical pharmacological models.
• Experience in antibody research, synthetic biology, or protein engineering.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program