CHDI
Title:
Platform Lead – In Vivo Studies Coordinator
Location:
Princeton, NJ or Los Angeles, CA (currently hybrid)
Reports To:
Preclinical VP overseeing the Therapeutics in In Vivo Systems (TIPS) Team
Salary Range:
$130,000 – $200,000. Exact compensation will vary based on experience
Other:
Vaccination against COVID-19 is a prerequisite for employment at CHDI Management
About CHDI Foundation, Inc.
CHDI Foundation, Inc. is a privately funded nonprofit biomedical research organization exclusively dedicated to collaboratively developing therapeutics that will substantially improve the lives of those affected by Huntington’s disease (HD). CHDI has assembled a team of scientists and other professionals working in offices located in Los Angeles, New York City, and Princeton, NJ. Our scientists work closely with a network of more than 700 researchers in academic and industrial laboratories around the world in the pursuit of these novel therapies, providing strategic scientific direction to ensure that our common goals remain in focus.
CHDI works to increase the understanding of HD in order to hasten the development of therapeutic approaches. To achieve this goal, CHDI manages a diverse portfolio of research projects through a novel virtual model that encourages scientific collaboration, one which more directly connects academic research, drug discovery and clinical development. This helps bridge the translational gap that often exists between academic and industrial research pursuits and that adds costly delays to therapeutic development. In its role as a collaborative enabler, CHDI seeks to bring the right partners together to identify and address critical scientific issues and move drug candidates to clinical evaluation as rapidly as possible. Our activities extend from exploratory biology to the identification and validation of therapeutic targets, and from drug discovery and development to clinical studies and trials. More information about CHDI can be found at www.chdifoundation.org.
Job Description:
We are seeking a scientist with extensive prior experience in the coordination of preclinical in vivo rodent model studies in relation to 1) disease modeling, and 2) preclinical evaluation of therapeutic drug candidates for disease indications. In this role, you will support CHDI Scientific Directors to design, implement and execute in vivo (and downstream ex vivo) studies throughout our global Contract Research Organization collaborator network in support of Huntington’s disease research. This would include providing support and advice on breeding paradigms, experimental animal selection, optimized experimental design, and active monitoring of experiment execution to ensure adherence to workplans and SOPs. In addition, you will provide logistical coordination across our CRO providers to execute studies to maximize efficiency in cycle time, while maintaining high quality services and data delivery.
Job Responsibilities:
- Support the full design and implementation of testing paradigms of preclinical proof-of-concept tool molecules in rodent models relevant to Huntington’s disease (HD) research across a wide range of modalities (ie small molecule, ASO, RNAi, CRISPR, virally delivered reagents).
- Support scientific directors with the full implementation of animal model studies to mechanistically evaluate targets of HD onset and progression emerging from HD human genetic studies, using genetically modified animal models.
- Manage the activities of external CROs / vendors for relevant in vivo services, and provide qualification of data and reports in area of responsibility.
- Support DMPK colleagues and other CHDI Scientific Directors across teams to aid diverse drug discovery and gene therapy programs with respect to pharmacokinetic – pharmacodynamic assay deployment in rodent models.
- Participate in technology assessment and implementation activities by proactive monitoring of service provider landscape with respect to capabilities and capacity.
- Provide ‘line of sight’ and critical path planning for in vivo and downstream studies, coordinating with CHDI Program Managers, contracting and financial teams to ensure seamless, streamlined execution.
Requirements:
- Minimum B.S. degree, preferred M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology or related life science discipline, with ≥ 5 years relevant experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology sector or equivalent setting.
- Demonstratable prior experience of designing preclinical in vivo rodent studies from breeding and selection of animals, experimental design and planning, execution and data analysis.
- A practical working knowledge of pharmacology and DMPK, or experience in partnering with such teams, to successfully advance candidate therapeutics to pharmacokinetic- pharmacodynamic in vivo studies for target engagement, and in vivo ‘efficacy’ studies.
- A practical knowledge of mouse genetics, with experience in using genetically modified animals for mechanistic insight into diseases.
- Experience in the oversight and management of contract research organizations, and a track record of building excellent relationships with service providers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with high attention to detail.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to suggest and implement new solutions independently.
- Collaborative team member liaising across scientific, project management and contract management activities.
Preferred Skills:
An ideal candidate would also have:
- Experience in large molecule (e.g. antibodies and/or viruses/gene therapy) in vivo testing
- Experience in working with animals modeling CNS or neurodegenerative disorders
- Experience and expertise in behavioral pharmacology
- Expertise in safety assessment in preclinical systems
- Viral vector production and in vitro/ in vivo qualification experience
- Significant program and portfolio management skills
About CHDI Foundation, Inc.
CHDI Foundation is a private nonprofit biomedical research organization exclusively dedicated to collaboratively developing therapeutics that will substantially improve the lives of those affected by Huntington’s disease (HD).
About CHDI Management, Inc.
Our staff works for CHDI Management, Inc., which was established in 2002 to provide administrative and management services to CHDI Foundation, Inc.
About our Donors
CHDI’s activities focus solely on the collaborative development of therapeutics that will substantially improve the lives of those affected by Huntington’s disease. We are indebted to our donors, whose generosity and guidance have made possible this exclusive focus on science.