Senior Scientist 1, In Vitro Pharmacology

Crinetics is a pharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, developing much-needed therapies for people with endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors. We were founded by a dedicated team of scientists with the simple belief that better therapies developed from rigorous innovation can lead to better lives. Our work continues to make a real difference in the lives of patients. We have a prolific discovery engine and a robust preclinical and clinical development pipeline. We are driven by science with a patient-centric and team-oriented culture. Crinetics is known for its inclusive workplace culture. We are also a dog-friendly workplace. This is an exciting time to join Crinetics as we shape our organization into the world’s premier fully integrated endocrine company from discovery to patients. Join our team as we transform the lives of others.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Senior Scientist 1 with experience in GPCR pharmacology and drug discovery to join our growing and dynamic in vitro pharmacology team. The successful candidate will engineer and execute in vitro mechanism of action (MoA) and translational studies, while pioneering new technology and assay development initiatives to advance the in vitro pharmacology department’s capabilities.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

These may include but are not limited to:

Assay Development & Lab Execution

• Design, develop, and execute in vitro pharmacology assays (e.g., biochemical, cell-based functional, and radioligand binding) to characterize GPCR mechanism and signaling.
• Evaluate and establish novel in vitro technologies to advance drug discovery.
• Perform translational experiments that bridge in vitro activity with predicted human outcomes
• Engineer and maintain multiple mammalian cell lines in culture to support ongoing assay needs.
• Generate high quality, reproducible data, and ensure meticulous documentation of protocols and results in an electronic laboratory notebook.

Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Critically analyze and interpret complex data into meaningful understanding of ligand activity and mechanism of action.
• Explore and establish PK/PD relationships by correlating in vitro pharmacological data with in vivo animal efficacy results
• Uphold scientific integrity by performing rigorous data scrutiny on complex data sets and ensuring all work meets quality standards.

Communication, Documentation & Mentorship

• Synthesize and effectively communicate findings to multidisciplinary teams through informal updates, formal presentations, and reports.
• Contribute to scientific publications and technical documentation.
• Mentor junior staff through hands-on technical instruction, creation of standardized SOPs, and data oversight.
• Ensure total compliance with institutional safety standards, data management policies, and laboratory practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biology, or related discipline with a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience. Applicants with BS or MS degrees must demonstrate a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience.
• GPCR Specialization: Demonstrated expertise of small molecule GPCR pharmacology, including theoretical understanding of signaling models, mechanisms, and experimental design.
• Assay Proficiency: Proven technical expertise in developing and executing biochemical, cellular, and radioligand binding assay systems with a focus on high-quality data generation.
• Scientific Innovation: Ability to leverage existing literature to develop methods, protocols, and technologies that advance pharmacological capabilities.
• Analytical Excellence: Outstanding experimental design and problem-solving skills, with a rigorous approach to complex data analysis.
• Adaptability: Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and pivot effectively as program priorities evolve.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• A strong work ethic characterized by detail-orientation, reliability, and an enthusiasm for both high-level laboratory work and complex data analysis.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Physical Activities: On a continuous basis, sit at desk for a long period of time; intermittently answer telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means. Some walking and lifting up to 25 lbs. may be required. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate. The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and responsibilities.

Laboratory Activities (if applicable): Biology and chemical laboratory environment experience needed. Environmental health and safety requirements also apply.

Travel:

You may be required to travel for up to 5% of your time.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Crinetics is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion or similar philosophical beliefs, disability, marital and civil union status, age, genetic information, veteran status or any personal attribute or characteristic that is protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is: $127,000 - $159,000.

In addition to your base pay, our total rewards program consists of a discretionary annual target bonus, stock options, ESPP, and 401k match. We also provide top-notch health insurance plans for employees (and their families) to include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance, 20 days of PTO, 10 paid holidays, and a winter company shutdown.