About the Role:
Biogen is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Scientist specializing in biotransformation/metabolite identification to join the Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) department. This role is ideal for a technically strong scientist who thrives in a hands-on laboratory environment and enjoys solving complex drug metabolism challenges. The successful candidate will design and execute studies to identify and characterize drug metabolites, oversee some outsourced work, and deliver high-quality data to support drug discovery and development programs. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required, along with scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.
What You’ll Do:
- Design, execute, and interpret biotransformation studies to characterize drug metabolites in vitro and in vivo.
- Conduct hands-on laboratory work, including sample preparation, LC-MS/MS, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for metabolite profiling.
- Oversee and manage outsourced studies with CROs, ensuring scientific quality and compliance with project timelines.
- Provide detailed interpretation of metabolite data to guide medicinal chemistry and safety assessment decisions.
- Maintain awareness of regulatory guidance (e.g., FDA, EMA) and scientific trends in biotransformation and MIST (Metabolites in Safety Testing).
- Design and oversee mass balance and metabolite identification studies using ³H- or ¹⁴C-radiolabeled compounds in in-vitro systems and preclinical species for development candidates. Provide scientific guidance on metabolite identification in clinical SAD/MAD studies and support metabolism-related activities required for regulatory submissions.
- Develop, optimize, and validate innovative analytical methods to improve biotransformation workflows.
- Author and review high-quality scientific reports, regulatory submissions, and presentations.
- Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including bioanalytical, toxicology and medicinal chemistry.
Who You Are:
Qualifications:
- Ph.D., Master’s, or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline, with 5+ years of relevant industry experience. (Master’s with 8+ years OR Bachelor’s with 10+ years)
- Strong expertise in drug metabolism and biotransformation, with hands-on experience in metabolite identification using LC-MS/MS and HRMS.
- Knowledge of in vitro models (hepatocytes, microsomes, S9 fractions) and in vivo systems for drug metabolism studies.
- Ability to analyze complex data and provide actionable insights.
- Familiarity with regulatory guidelines for metabolite safety testing (MIST).
- Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with human ADME studies, including QWBA (Quantitative Whole-Body Autoradiography) and radiolabeled compound studies.
- Familiarity with oligonucleotide biotransformation
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations in drug metabolism or biotransformation.
- Strong project management skills for coordinating outsourced studies.
Additional Information
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about our DE&I efforts.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
Top Skills
What We Do
Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen discovers, develops and delivers innovative therapies worldwide for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a pioneer in biotechnology and today the Company has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and is at the forefront of neurology research for conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics.
With approximately 7000 people worldwide, we are truly a global organization, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is also home to our research operations. Our international headquarters are based in Zug, Switzerland and we have world-class manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Denmark. We offer therapies globally through direct affiliate presence in 30 countries and a network of distribution partners in over 50 additional countries.
For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
