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
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[
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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.
California Applicants: Please see Additional Information for California
Residents [ within our
Privacy Policy.
Canadian Applicants: Please see Additional Information for Canadian Residents
[ within our Privacy Policy.
Applicants in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and
Serbia: Please see Additional Information for Individuals in the European
Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia
[ within our Privacy Policy.
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.
