Scientist/Senior Scientist, Drug Discovery for Neuroscience

About Simcere:

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group is an innovation-driven pharmaceutical company committed to "For patience, for life." Our core therapeutic areas include oncology, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and autoimmune diseases. We are continuously expanding into areas with significant unmet medical needs. Our Cambridge, MA site is dedicated to cutting-edge research aligned with the company strategic directions.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD-level in-lab researcher to join our dynamic Neuroscience Discovery team. This role focuses on investigating cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Pain, and other CNS disorders. The successful candidate will develop and execute translational research to identify disease-relevant targets and develop therapeutic candidates with enhanced CNS delivery.

The ideal candidate will have hands on experience developing and testing therapeutic candidates in vitro and in vivo. This position requires an independent bench scientist and strategic thinker who can integrate therapeutic evaluation with functional disease biology. It offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful discoveries in a highly collaborative and innovative environment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead target discovery efforts by identifying and validating novel therapeutic candidates for CNS diseases.
• Drive target identification and validation at the interface of metabolic dysfunction and CNS pathology, including lipid metabolism, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial stress, and vascular impairment.
• Advance innovation in CNS delivery, including the design, engineering, and validation of antibody‑based blood-brain barrier shuttle technologies.
• Design and execute in vitro and/or in vivo studies to validate therapeutic targets and assess target engagement, mechanism of action, and therapeutic efficacy.
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and ensure scientific rigor across all research activities.
• Stay abreast of emerging literature and technologies, contributing to strategic planning, and project development.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field, with a minimum of 4 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in drug discovery.
• Demonstrated expertise in CNS disease biology, with hands‑on experience using relevant cellular and animal models.
• Familiarity with brain delivery strategies and platform technologies, including antibody‑based BBB shuttles or other CNS targeting modalities is preferred.
• Proficiency in cellular function analysis, including microscopy, flow cytometry, biochemical assays, and quantitative readouts.
• Experience applying bioinformatics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, or other high‑dimensional datasets) for target identification, mechanism‑of‑action studies, or pathway analysis is highly valued.
• Expertise in protein/antibody engineering, bioconjugation technologies, and/or AOC development.
• Experience in CNS, metabolic, or cardiovascular disorders, with a strong understanding of disease mechanisms and key cellular pathways.
• A track record of impactful contributions to drug discovery programs.