Shape the Future of Proteomics-Driven Drug Discovery
Associate Director, Proteomics — Discovery & Translational Sciences
Inotiv, Nashville, Tennessee
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The Opportunity
Proteomics has emerged as a critical discipline driving contemporary drug discovery and clinical pharmacology; once reserved as a support function to biochemistry organizations, proteomics is now an integral part of the drug discovery engine and has merged into a concerted discipline-team alongside pharmacology and molecular pathology. We're looking for a scientific leader who sees the same mission of proteomics and wants to shape its future while enabling a vision set in motion by the Discovery & Translational Sciences Division of Inotiv.
As Associate Director, Proteomics, you'll set the scientific direction for how proteomic data shapes biomarker discovery and translational pharmacology across some of the industry's most complex drug discovery & development programs. You'll operate at the intersection of deep technical expertise and high-stakes strategic influence — equally comfortable at the bench, in front of a sponsor's leadership team, or shaping the next phase of our platform roadmap.
This is a role for a scientist-leader who wants their proteomics expertise to directly impact on our clients’ drug discovery success.
The Role
• Scientific vision and strategy — Working with the Senior Director of Biochemical Pharmacology & Proteomics, you’ll aid in defining and driving the direction of Inotiv's proteomics program, integrating global and targeted proteomics, translational pharmacology, and molecular pathology into one coherent scientific approach.
• Program impact — You’ll partner with sponsors and internal teams to embed proteomic insight directly into biomarker discovery and translational decision-making process(s) across active drug development programs.
• Technical leadership — Serve as a subject matter expert for internal and external workflows on proteomic assay design and development, guiding both the scientific rigor of the work and developing the team members executing it.
• Cross-functional influence — Act as a trusted scientific voice in high-level conversations with sponsors, translating complex proteomic data into actionable concepts that drive client discoveries.
The Associate Director, Proteomics is a PhD-level scientific leader who directs targeted and global proteomic bioanalytical studies supporting drug discovery, biomarker, and translational research programs. This role leads the design, development, and qualification of proteomic assays and serves as the primary scientific contact for proteomics-based studies, representing Inotiv's proteomics capabilities to Sponsors, Study Directors, and the broader scientific community. In addition, this role will lead a team of Scientists to ensure the goals and strategic direction of the Proteomics team are met.
Scientific Responsibilities
- Serves as an interdisciplinary scientific lead for proteomics within DTS, building an integrated drug discovery partnership across In Vivo Pharmacology, Molecular/Cellular Pharmacology, and Investigative & Molecular Pathology to advance biomarker discovery, target validation, and translational research programs.
- Drives proteomics platform strategy to strengthen market position, including technology selection, contemporizing of mass spectrometry-based analysis platforms, and biomarker-based expression profiling in partnership with Molecular Pathology.
- Serves as Inotiv's primary scientific point of contact for Study Directors and Sponsors on targeted and global proteomics bioanalytical projects, from discovery through clinical development, and represents Inotiv's proteomics capabilities through commercial strategy support, scientific posters, publications, and presentations.
- Leads experimental design and conduct of targeted and global/discovery proteomics studies, ensuring compliance with established best practices and SOPs.
- Leads proteomics platform development and optimization: method development and validation (GxP and non-GxP), sample-preparation workflows (protein digestion, immunoaffinity enrichment, high-abundance protein depletion, phospho-proteomics), instrumentation, chromatography, and automation.
- Directs bioinformatic and statistical analysis of proteomic datasets (e.g., Skyline, FragPipe, Proteome Discoverer) to identify, quantify, and interpret protein and peptide biomarkers, and identifies opportunities to apply MS proteomics platforms to critical client and company needs as a recognized thought leader.
- Develops and maintains SOPs for proteomic sample preparation, LC-MS/MS method development, and data analysis; reviews literature and emerging technologies to guide platform decisions.
- Maintains broad familiarity with Inotiv's capabilities, with particular expertise in Nashville, to provide timely scientific answers to prospective clients; performs quality control review of data and reports; troubleshoots and resolves method and assay challenges.
- Trains and mentors colleagues to build proteomics, mass spectrometry, and analytical expertise.
- Ensures GLP/SOP compliance as a GLP Principal Investigator, including timely reporting of deviations, proper documentation, and archival of study data and samples.
- Coordinates with study management and operations teams to maintain project visibility and support customer satisfaction from initiation through completion.
- Upholds Inotiv Core Values, safety regulations, and confidentiality standards, and interacts professionally with clients, colleagues, and the community.
People Management
- Demonstrates ability to manage scientific, operational, and administrative aspects of the proteomics team.
- Responsible for the development and training of employees to meet current and future business needs.
- Provides regular coaching and feedback to team members.
- Conducts interviews and initiates hiring requests for team when needed.
- Provides an environment which encourages the company’s commitment to equal employment opportunities and the value of a diverse workforce.
- PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field, with postdoctoral training and 5-7+ years of qualified experience in mass spectrometry-based proteomics.
- Prior management experience required.
- Hands-on expertise with targeted and global/discovery proteomic workflows, including operation and maintenance of current MS instrumentation, especially high-resolution LC-MS/MS, for peptide and protein analysis.
- Knowledge of protein/peptide separation, digestion, and enrichment techniques (e.g., immunoaffinity capture, fractionation, high-abundance protein depletion) and chromatographic systems used for proteomic analysis.
- Proficiency with proteomic data analysis and bioinformatics software (e.g., Skyline, FragPipe, Proteome Discoverer, DIA-NN) for protein and peptide identification, quantitation, and biomarker analysis of proteomic data.
- Detailed understanding of bioanalytical processes, including sample preparation, calibration, quality control, instrument operation/troubleshooting, method development, data processing, and reporting.
- In-depth knowledge of analytical testing needed in drug discovery, biomarker verification, and/or clinical or translational proteomics.
- Demonstrated ability to develop creative, cross-functional approaches to apply proteomics techniques to client and program needs.
- Understanding of GMP/GLP/GCP regulations with the ability to apply these practices daily, including the responsibilities of a GLP Principal Investigator.
- Scientific writing experience for reports and manuscripts; peer-reviewed publications, posters, or presentations in proteomics/MS preferred.
Critical Success Factors
- Results Driven. Drives efficiently and accurately toward results, setting high but achievable standards and continually seeking process improvements.
- Efficient. Takes ownership of time and effectiveness, acting proactively and working through challenges with minimal direction.
- Communication. Communicates complex information clearly and articulately, in oral and written form, tailored to audience and purpose.
- Collaboration. Actively supports team success, shares information, and gets things done with and through others.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. Identifies key components of problems, interprets information from varied sources, and generates and evaluates creative solutions.
- Organization and Time Management. Plans and prioritizes work, manages time to meet deadlines, and follows through on commitments.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior office work or laboratory environment
- Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include use of protective equipment
- The noise level is usually moderate
- This position will frequently be involved with radiant/electrical energy, solvents, grease, oil, irritants, acids, bases, and other hazardous chemicals, electro-mechanical hazards, flammable materials and bio-hazards. Due to exposure to hazardous biological material (which may include HIV positive specimens), immunization to Hepatitis B and/or other diseases may be a requirement.
- Moderate physical activity This position will require frequent walking, sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time, carrying, heavy lifting (max. 50 lbs), reaching while standing, gripping and twisting hand movements, finger control and other general repetitive motions (for more than four [4] hours per day)
- Able to wear latex or nitrile gloves, dust mask or respirator, and safety glasses as required.
- Ability to read and understand applicable materials
- Manual dexterity to operate laboratory equipment and calculator/computer
- Able to read and interpret test results and instrument specifications
Why Inotiv
- Real influence, not just execution. Your scientific point of view will shape program direction for sponsors, not just fulfill a service request.
- A platform built to grow. You'll help define what our proteomics capability becomes next — new technology, new applications, new strategic reach.
- A path from expert to leader. This role is built for someone ready to step beyond individual scientific contribution into shaping people, programs, and platform strategy.
- Work that matters. Your insights feed directly into decisions on real time drug discovery programs — the translational question you help answer this quarter could shape a clinical strategy next year.
If you're ready to bring scientific vision and leadership to a team where proteomics drives real strategic decisions — we'd love to hear from you.
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*This position could be offered at different levels for candidates who qualify with a combination of advanced levels of education and/or years of experience. The salary range will adjust along with the level of the role to match the person’s relevant experience and/or education level.
At Inotiv, our work helps advance the development of new medicines and therapies that can improve people's lives. As a leading global contract research organization (CRO), we partner with researchers to tackle complex scientific challenges, drive innovation, and help build a healthier, safer world. Bringing together scientists, researchers, technical experts, and business professionals, we provide the expertise and collaboration needed to move research forward. Our people make this work possible, and we value the knowledge, ideas, and contributions each person brings to the team. Whether you are starting your career or bringing years of experience, Inotiv offers opportunities to learn, grow, and play a meaningful role in advancing treatments for patients around the world.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and responsibilities. Benefits include health and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid parental leave, 401K, and more!
Inotiv is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.