Senior Scientist / Associate Director, Preclinical ADME

About Longboard 

Longboard Pharmaceuticals is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with devastating neurological conditions. Our team works together to create a company culture and welcoming environment we are proud to be a part of. We are looking for dynamic, talented, and passionate people to join our team.  We are pleased to offer a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect the health of our employees, their families and their way of life.

Position Summary

The Senior Scientist / Associate Director, Preclinical ADME will be a member of the R & D Nonclinical Development Department and will contribute to the successful development, implementation, and execution of a non-clinical ADME drug discovery and development strategy that delivers decision-enabling quality data and meets the project timelines for Longboard’s R&D pipeline. You will be a company ADME/DMPK subject matter expert and will develop strong collaborative partnerships with the other functions such as medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical development. As such, extensive experience and expertise in small molecule ADME/DMPK is required as demonstrated by a proven track-record of optimizing lead molecules to NME selection and beyond, including accomplishment with successful small molecule regulatory interactions e.g., INDs and NDAs. This role can be remote or hybrid (2-3 days a week) based out of our San Diego office.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Represent ADME in project teams with accountability for optimal design and execution of DMPK and PK/PD strategies from discovery to entry into human
• Be part of a team of DMPK experts to provide integrated screening and translational strategies to the Longboard portfolio
• Participate in study design, vendor selection, study execution, interpretation and report writing for molecules that pertain to PK and PK/PD assessment in research and development
• Serve as a key contributor to aid the selection and timely development of new drug candidates, through close interaction with therapeutic areas and affiliated non-clinical, clinical and regulatory functions
• Conduct PK/PD data analysis and modeling
• Initiate and facilitate collaborations with external partners, biology, and pharmacology colleagues in support of PKPD; outsource and manage ADME and DMPK studies at CROs
• Establish DMPK strategies that align with program goals and strive for high quality drug candidates
• Effectively communicate DMPK data and their relevance to multidisciplinary project teams, management, regulatory authorities, and potential partners
• Integrate knowledge and lead comprehensive investigations of all DMPK-PD related activities including strategic planning, designing of studies and data integration into phase transition and regulatory documents
• Prepare preclinical DMPK reports according to regulatory standards
• Work collaboratively in close partnership with disciplines such as medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacology and regulatory to design promising clinical therapeutic candidates, flawlessly execute conduct of preclinical development studies, support clinical evaluation and contribute to IND and NDA filing

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, or related discipline with a minimum of 5 years of relevant industrial experience in the evaluation of small molecule therapeutics
• Broad understanding of DMPK concepts and relevant areas such as physicochemical properties, drug metabolizing enzyme and transporter kinetics, pharmacokinetics, biotransformation and analytical sciences
• Broad understanding of drug discovery and development, especially as it relates to small molecules
• Broad understanding of PKPD concepts
• Hands-on modeling experience using Phoenix Winnonlin, Gastroplus, ADAPT or similar software
• Evidence of leadership in the DMPK field and a proven track record of scientific achievement and project influence, including ability to influence external scientific and regulatory practices through publication and other interactions
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced dynamic environment while demonstrating a calm and positive attitude and a superior work ethic
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills
• 15% travel required if remote to San Diego headquarters

Pay Transparency

The expected salary for candidates who work in La, Jolla, CA is $180-198k. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Longboard Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a multi-state employer and will consider candidates based in remote work locations.

Our benefits currently include:

• Hybrid work schedule out of our La Jolla office, 2-3 days a week
• Competitive compensation package including bonus opportunities and stock options 
• Medical, Dental & Vision Plans
• 401(k) Plan, including company match with immediate vesting
• Flexible Time Off, including one week off in the summer and one week off around December holidays
• 11 paid company holidays per year 
• An opportunity to do truly meaningful work to make a lasting impact
• Longboard Perks (on-site gym, garage parking, company-sponsored events, etc.)
• Flexible spending account for medical care
• Life insurance, short and long term disability plans