Associate Director Toxicology

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Please note that this position can be based in San Diego, CA OR San Francisco, CA OR Princeton, NJ. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

Position Summary

The Associate Director will be responsible for the oversight of Translational Science preclinical safety assessment/toxicology deliverables, with a clear understanding of functional interdependence and critical path activities. The role will contribute to the research and/or development of the products, projects, and programs in support of the pipeline. Collaborate cross‑functionally to conduct basic research and development, including designing and overseeing preclinical safety and toxicology studies in support of diverse projects and long-term company objectives. Ensure timely and effective communication of project status and issues to drive alignment and successful completion of team goals and deliverables.

Primary Responsibilities

• Plans experimental safety assessment/toxicology programs to include design, logistics, resource allocation, schedules. Identifies critical support needs, and other necessary details to implement the program(s).
• Provides oversight on scientific management of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology studies supporting early drug development spanning lead optimization through IND and NDA submissions and nonclinical post marketing approval requirements.
• Monitors CROs for quality and compliance in the conduct of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology studies.
• Manages vendors and consultants, encompassing study design, detailed coordination of study execution, overview of quality compliance, and scientific rigor.
• Reviews and contributes to preparation of toxicology reports.
• Maintains oversight of test compound delivery, shipment and supply requirements.
• Works cross functionally on projects including an understanding of when broader discussion is required and the organization ad hoc working groups as needed to move project activities forward.
• Communicates project status and proactively identifies issues to ensure that project team goals and regulatory deliverables are met.
• Provides guidance to team members to objectively assess and resolve preclinical safety assessment/toxicology project issues to improve project effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skills

• BS or MS in a relevant discipline or a related field
• Targeting 6-8 years of relevant experience in pre-clinical safety assessment/toxicology supporting drug development within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry
• DABT Certification strongly preferred. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered
• Understanding of the drug development process and the principles, concepts, practices, and standards of executing preclinical safety assessment/toxicology strategies
• Knowledge in the tools and procedures of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology experimentation, including the various experimental designs, statistical tools of data analyses, software applications available for data manipulation and presentation, and instrumentation pertinent to the research and ability to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each, in terms of applicability to the research at hand
• Knowledge of the preclinical study types necessary during drug development, including acute and chronic toxicology, safety pharmacology, developmental and reproductive toxicology, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity
• Experience working in cross-functional project teams and in a semi-virtual environment including CROs and academic collaborations
• Study monitoring experience on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) safety assessment/toxicology studies at CROs
• Experience in the composition and review of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology reports with respect to accuracy, quality and compliance
• Knowledge and understanding of GLP, ICH and FDA guidance, and other relevant regulations and guidelines
• Demonstrated skills and abilities in influencing, facilitation, development, and problem solving. Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources and to be influential, encouraging and motivating
• Excellent communication, presentation, consultative, partnership, and interpersonal skills. Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
• Ability to learn, understand and apply new technologies, strategies and approaches that enhance the team’s ability to achieve goals and meet timelines/deliverables
• Must be able and willing to travel as needed

Physical Requirements

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules or business needs.

#transmed

#LI-Hybrid #LI-SL1

In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.

Salary Range

$155,000—$193,200 USD

What we offer US-based Employees:

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
• 15+ vacation days
• 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
• 10 days of paid sick time
• Paid parental leave benefit
• Tuition assistance

EEO Statement (US-based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at View email address on us.fitly.work or View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

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Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in the absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.