Senior Scientist I, QSP/QST Consulting Services

Simulations Plus stands as a global leader in model-informed and AI-accelerated drug development. We create value for our clients by accelerating the discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and other products through innovative science-based software and consulting solutions.

Leadership truly cares about maintaining a positive culture and employee well-being. We offer fully remote work, flexible schedules, and generous vacation policy along with affordable health coverage, annual bonus, and more! Check out how much our employees love working here:

The Senior Scientist I will lead or contribute to the technical execution of consulting projects using Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) and/or Toxicology (QST) models and methodologies. Frequently, consulting projects are conducted in Simulations Plus models, leveraging technical expertise in MATLAB or THALES.

Other work can include technical expertise in SimBiology, Julia, Monolix, as well as script generation using MATLAB, R, Python, etc. Consulting projects also leverage knowledge of multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, hepatology, metabolic diseases, pulmonary diseases, and inflammatory and immune diseases, as well as adverse events (e.g., liver injury, lung injury, cytopenias, cytokine release syndrome).

Department: Strategic Consulting Services/Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

Internal Grade: 13

Direct Reports: Optional

Status: Exempt

Location: Remote

Job Responsibilities:

• Design, write, test, and use computer code to build and maintain the sub-model(s), representing core cellular, molecular, and/or biochemical processes in a given model
• Represent compound pharmacodynamics (PD) and/or mechanism of action (MoA), including translating laboratory data into model parameters and curation of clinical data for calibration/validation
• Learn and effectively utilize the company agentic AI solutions for technical work
• Lead or contribute to the activities required for successful completion of all goals within consulting projects
• Lead or contribute (as time allows) to R&D efforts, including updating the “license-ready” versions of the various models and supporting ongoing development of QST models of liver injury (i.e., the DILI-sim consortium)
• Combine technical and project management work, including components such as systems pharmacology modeling, software code development, and maintenance in designated software environments
• Develop plans to complete all tasks and provide all deliverables within a time frame consistent with the services agreement signed with the sponsor
• Identify and suggest mitigation strategies for risks to successful project completion on time and on budget
• Schedule the necessary meetings including internal and external collaborators
• Exert leadership in the areas of report and presentation preparation, including evidence of minimal required supervision and providing thoughtful feedback on messaging
• Lead consulting projects, upon demonstrating the necessary technical and project management skills and availability of a suitable project
• Identify and initiate departmental activities that support growth or improved efficiency in the QSP team
• Participate in preparation and review of joint manuscripts between the company and the sponsor
• Manage the effort expended for a given project to remain consistent with the resources allocated for the project per the signed contract
• Publish work in scientific journals, with minimal review required by their supervisor, including documentation preparation, text development, figure development, and correspondence with editors and peer reviewers
• Oversee and supervise the technical work of others and mentor less experienced scientists
• Train others on QSP/QST and the various models
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of QSP/QST modeling experience or demonstration of the equivalent skill sets
• Proficiency in mathematics, dynamic systems, drug development, pharmacology
• General knowledge of relevant therapeutic areas, including clinical endpoints and underlying cell and molecular biology and/or biochemistry
• Experience with MATLAB, THALES, Julia, SimBiology, Monolix, GastroPlus™, and/or C++ programming
• Experience with PBPK, PK, popPK and/or PKPD modeling
• Basic familiarity with large-language models and agentic AI
• Understand how to apply modeling and simulation for maximum impact and effective means to communicate to non-modeling audiences
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Maintains a positive attitude while interacting with colleagues and clients
• Must be able to multitask and have good organizational skills
• Self-motivated with ability to work with minimal supervision
• Occasional travel for conferences, meeting, and training

Education:

• Master’s degree in pharmaceutical science, biomedical engineering, or related life sciences field
• PhD in pharmaceutical science, biomedical engineering, or related life sciences field preferred