Company Overview

Cerevel Therapeutics is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the brain to treat neuroscience diseases. We are tackling neuroscience diseases with a differentiated approach that combines expertise in neurocircuitry with a focus on receptor selectivity. Our portfolio of pre-commercial neuroscience assets targets a broad range of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and substance use disorder.

Headquartered in the Greater Boston area, we are bold thinkers, deep experts, resilient pathfinders, and transparent partners who push the boundaries of scientific understanding to unlock breakthrough CNS therapies that have real impact on people’s lives.

Cerevel aspires to develop and nurture a culture characterized by trust, respect, courage, curiosity, and compassion, with a relentless focus on mission and results. Our patient-centricity guides our purpose, how we treat each other and what we work on every day. The successful candidate will bring their own unique thinking and approach to Cerevel while sharing our core values and convictions.

Role Summary:

Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic group at Cerevel is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the translational Biotransformation group to support the early discovery portfolios of a premier Neuroscience company Cerevel Therapeutics. This position will ensure to provide an exposure toward becoming a well-rounded drug metabolism PK scientist cross-functionally working with seasoned drug hunter professionals at Cerevel. The candidate will independently perform hands-on metabolite identification and structural elucidation to influence drug molecule optimization. The candidate will be able to thoughtfully look at data, and design further biotransformation/ bespoke ADME studies toward shedding lights on the potential mechanism of clearance mechanism and drug-drug interactions questions. The candidate will have the opportunity to actively identify/develop strategic approaches/technologies/Augmented artificial intelligence platform to support potentially challenging needs of projects. Cerevel team will constantly help the candidate to build excellent communication along with critical thinking and problem-solving and entrepreneurship skills.

Key Responsibilities

Perform identification and structural elucidation of drug metabolites in vitro (e.g., liver microsomes, short term, long-term hepatocytes primary or Microphysiological coculture system, rP450s etc.) and in vivo (e.g., tissues, plasma, urine, and bile, etc.) using liquid chromatography — high resolution tandem mass spectrometry

Will be able to carry out reactive metabolite trapping assays and other mechanistic studies of drug metabolism

Will be able to Isolate/purify drug or unusual metabolites for definitive structure identification by NMR

Identification of metabolizing enzymes as needed, including non-CYP metabolic pathway when encountered

Conduct cross species metabolite profiling and disproportionate metabolite identification

Interpret, translate, and report data to project team meetings

Influence discovery chemistry teams on drug design, to mitigate metabolic clearance or reactive metabolite liability

Understanding of drug metabolism and how this may affect structural compound design and risk assessment for drug candidates

Explore biotransformation support to new modalities, e.g. ASO, PROTACs, in addition to conventional small molecules.

Have opportunities in external presentation/publication at scientific conferences/journals

Hands-on experience with HPLC and LC-MS are required. Utilization of cutting-edge mass spectrometry and relevant software are required to perform small molecule biomarkers discovery and identification studies

Familiar with Thermo Exploris Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry instruments and Compound Discoverer metabolite identification will be preferred

The candidate must be able to analyze data and note significant deviations and maintain detailed, accurate and comprehensible study documentation

The individual is also expected to be highly organized, a team player, enthusiastic about drug discovery, and possess strong communication skills

Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals are required

Required Qualifications

Senior Scientist work experience: a PhD (may include postdoctoral training), MS, or BS in Organic chemistry/Analytical / Biochemistry or related disciplines with 3+ (PhD), 9+ years (MS) or 11+ years (BS), preferably, in the pharmaceutical industry

Desired Qualifications

A Ph.D. degree in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline, having a few years of industry R&D experience, with demonstrated scientific research capability by publication(s) in drug metabolism or closely related areas on peer-reviewed journal(s)

Strong knowledge in fundamental organic chemistry and some functional knowledge in biochemistry and biology are needed

Previous experience in high resolution high mass accuracy mass spec is required

Education

BS/MS/PhD/Postdoc in Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology/Biomarker discovery, Biochemistry related science

Company COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

The Company requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including to have received a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if eligible to receive one. In connection with your onboarding process, all new employees will need to provide documentary evidence of vaccination. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodations to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state and local law

Cerevel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.