Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is a clinical-stage company developing orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists as a new class of medicines for the treatment of narcolepsy and potentially other sleep-wake disorders. Centessa’s lead investigational candidate – cleminorexton (formerly ORX750) – is being developed for narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Centessa's OX2R agonist portfolio includes additional clinical and preclinical-stage assets with potential utility across a broader range of neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Centessa was recognized as a Great Place to Work® in 2026.
Description of Role
We are seeking an experienced, collaborative, and scientifically rigorous Senior Advisor, Molecular Pharmacology to provide scientific leadership, at the Associate Director level, for molecular pharmacology activities supporting neuroscience discovery and development programs.The successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in pharmacology and apply broad scientific expertise to address questions related to compound pharmacology, receptor and target biology, signaling mechanisms, and translation across relevant experimental systems.
The ideal candidate will combine deep scientific expertise with curiosity, strategic thinking, and the ability to identify and implement experimental approaches that address evolving program needs. The individual will work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and with internal and external scientific partners to develop pharmacology strategies, guide experimental work, interpret complex data, and advance therapeutic programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide scientific leadership and strategic direction for molecular pharmacology activities supporting neuroscience discovery and development programs
- Develop pharmacology strategies and experimental plans to address key questions related to compound activity, receptor and target biology, signaling, mechanism of action, and translation
- Design, guide, and interpret pharmacological studies using recombinant, endogenous, native, or other relevant experimental systems
- Guide advanced characterization of therapeutic compounds using appropriate functional, binding, mechanistic, cellular, molecular, or translational approaches
- Apply expertise in molecular pharmacology and receptor biology to identify scientific questions and experimental approaches that can inform program decisions
- Integrate pharmacological and biological data across experimental systems and disciplines to develop clear scientific conclusions and recommendations
- Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry, in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, translational sciences, and other scientific partners to advance program objectives
- Establish productive scientific partnerships with internal collaborators and external research organizations; provide appropriate scientific direction while leveraging complementary expertise
- Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex scientific and experimental challenges
- Mentor scientists and contribute to a collaborative environment characterized by scientific rigor, intellectual curiosity, and high-quality execution
- Evaluate emerging technologies, methodologies, and scientific approaches and apply them where they can meaningfully advance research programs
- Communicate scientific strategy, results, and recommendations effectively to multidisciplinary project teams and research leadership
Qualifications
- PhD in Pharmacology, Neuroscience, or a closely related scientific discipline with substantial experience in supporting drug discovery research
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience
- Strong foundation in molecular pharmacology, with expertise in one or more areas such as receptor pharmacology, GPCR biology, cellular signaling, mechanistic pharmacology, neuroscience, or related disciplines
- Broad understanding of experimental approaches used to characterize compound pharmacology, receptor and target biology, and biological mechanisms
- Experience developing scientific strategy and independently addressing complex experimental and drug discovery questions
- Demonstrated ability to integrate data across experimental systems and scientific disciplines
- Experience directing collaborative research activities involving internal and/or external scientific partners
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop scientists
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment and manage multiple scientific priorities
- Excellent scientific judgment, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
Compensation
The annual base salary range for this position is $130,000.00 to $180,000.00. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including location, qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and job knowledge.
In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus. The Company also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program.
Work Location
The Senior Advisor, Molecular Pharmacology role is a remote role based in the US, with occasional travel.
POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt
EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subdisary of Eli Lilly and Company believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.
Skills Required
- PhD in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, or a related field, with 8+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience; alternatively, an MS or BS with commensurate industry experience
- Experience with in vitro functional and affinity modulation of GPCR targets in a drug discovery setting
- Expertise in brain slice electrophysiology and related circuit-level approaches
- Experience designing studies, overseeing CROs, and interpreting data to support drug development decisions
- Strong foundation in molecular and cellular pharmacology
- Experience working with CROs and external research partners
- Ability to connect mechanistic data to in vivo relevance and program decision-making
- Collaborative, scientifically rigorous, and comfortable operating in a matrixed environment
- Multi-electrode array (MEA) experience
What We Do
Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company with a Research & Development innovation engine that aims to discover, develop and ultimately deliver impactful medicines to patients. Our programs span discovery-stage to late-stage development and cover a range of high-value indications in rare diseases and immuno-oncology. We are led by a management team with extensive R&D experience, providing direct guidance to our program teams to rapidly advance our candidates from research through all stages of development. We are headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts
