Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Research & Development

Principal Scientist, DMPK

South San Francisco, CAHybridFull TimePrincipal$197,000–$235,000 /yrPosted 1 month agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

pharmacokinetics
drug metabolism
DMPK strategy
drug discovery
drug development
in vitro
in vivo
data analysis
drug candidate selection
CRO management

Nice to have

small molecules
biologics
peptides
regulatory documents
Phoenix WinNonlin
Gastroplus

Role summary

Calico, an Alphabet-founded research company focused on aging biology, seeks a Principal Scientist in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) for its Drug Discovery team. This individual contributor role will shape DMPK strategy, provide expert guidance, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners like Pharma and CROs. Responsibilities include designing and interpreting in vitro and in vivo DMPK studies, managing CROs, and contributing to regulatory documents and publications. The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. in a related field, 8+ years of DMPK experience in pharma/biotech, and strong analytical and collaboration skills.

Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

Calico is seeking a Principal Scientist, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics to join our Drug Discovery team. This position is a unique opportunity to shape the DMPK strategy and contribute to the development of innovative therapeutics. This role will function as an individual contributor, collaborating closely with external partners such as Pharma and CROs.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement the DMPK strategy to support drug discovery and development programs

Provide expert DMPK guidance and input to project teams

Represent the DMPK function in cross-functional meetings and interactions with external stakeholders

Stay abreast of the latest advancements in DMPK science and regulatory guidelines

Collaborate closely with project, biology, and chemistry leads to support and advance programmatic goals

Collaboration and Outsourcing

Effectively collaborate with CROs and other external partners to execute DMPK studies

Manage CRO relationships, including study design, data analysis, and report writing

Oversee the quality and timely delivery of DMPK data from external partners

Individual Contribution

Design, coordinate and interpret DMPK studies, including in vitro and in vivo experiments

Analyze and interpret DMPK data to support drug candidate selection and development

Author and review DMPK reports, regulatory documents, and scientific publications

Position Requirements:

Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, or a related field

8+ years of experience in DMPK within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry

Experience as a DMPK functional representative on drug discovery teams

Strong understanding of DMPK principles and their application to drug discovery and development

Extensive experience in designing and conducting in vitro and in vivo DMPK studies

Proven ability to analyze and interpret DMPK data to inform drug development decisions

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills

Experience in managing CROs and external partnerships

Must be willing to work onsite 5 days a week

Nice To Have:

Experience with a variety of therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and peptides

Familiarity with regulatory guidelines and requirements for DMPK studies

Prior experience in writing regulatory documents is highly desirable

Experience with modeling and simulation software such as Phoenix WinNonlin, Gastroplus, SimCYP

The estimated base salary range for this role is $197,000 - $235,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.

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