Principal Scientist, DMPK

Overview:

The successful candidate will be part of a team responsible for understanding the disposition mechanisms and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships of oligonucleotide therapeutics and other emerging modalities. The candidate will work closely with colleagues across Research and Development as a Principal Scientist within Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK), providing scientific leadership and strategic guidance to advance programs from discovery through clinical development.

Work arrangement: This is an in-office position based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, requiring regular on-site collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement DMPK strategies to support discovery, candidate selection, translational research, and clinical development of oligonucleotide therapeutics and other drug modalities.
• Design, execute, interpret, and communicate DMPK studies to characterize absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME), PK/PD relationships, and translational pharmacology.
• Collaborate closely with Research scientists to optimize tissue delivery, pharmacology, and candidate selection for advancement into development.
• Partner with Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Bioanalytical Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, and Project Leadership teams to integrate PK, PD, efficacy, safety, and biomarker data and inform development decisions.
• Apply quantitative approaches, including modeling and simulation, to support dose prediction, translation, and development strategy.
• Represent DMPK as a key scientific contributor on multidisciplinary, matrixed project teams and participate in program and governance discussions.
• Lead or contribute to the preparation of DMPK reports, regulatory submission content, and responses supporting CTA, IND, NDA, and other global health authority filings.
• Provide scientific mentorship and technical guidance to junior scientists and contribute to building DMPK capabilities across the organization.
• Effectively manage multiple programs, deliverables, and priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high-quality scientific output.
• Present scientific findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to project teams, senior management, external collaborators, and regulatory agencies, as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery and development.
• Strong understanding of ADME, pharmacokinetics, PK/PD principles, and translational pharmacology.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing DMPK strategies for discovery- and/or development-stage programs.
• Direct experience contributing to CTA and/or IND filings, including preparation or review of relevant regulatory submission content.
• Proven ability to work effectively and influence outcomes in highly matrixed, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with experience integrating diverse datasets to drive decision-making.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet timelines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Preferred
  • Experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics, RNAi, ASO, antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, peptides, antibodies, or other advanced therapeutic modalities.
  • Experience with modeling and simulation approaches, including population PK, PBPK, mechanistic PK/PD, or translational modeling.
  • Experience supporting regulatory interactions and responding to health authority questions.
  • Familiarity with biomarkers, translational medicine, and quantitative pharmacology approaches.

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics – a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize-winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what’s possible. Our deep pipeline, late-stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.

Before applying, please review Alnylam's ⁠Candidate Privacy Notice regarding how Alnylam handles Personal Data you provide with your application for employment.

The pay range below reflects the full-time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short-term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long-term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam’s robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well-being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well-being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website:

U.S. Pay Range

$147,200—$220,800 USD