Exelixis
Senior Scientist II (Pharmacology)
1851 Harbor Bay Pkwy, Alameda, CA 94502
Full-time · $133k–$188k (as posted)
First seen by offpeak October 4, 2026
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The Senior Scientist II is responsible for leading pharmacology research efforts to support various Discovery and Development projects. The strong candidate must be a highly self-motivated, interactive, and productive PhD scientist with hands-on experience. This individual will possess strong knowledge and experience with various animal tumor models and be able to strategically incorporate the latest technologies into Pharmacology functions. The candidate must have a deep understanding of PK, PD, and efficacy, and be able to interpret their relationships. The candidate will share management responsibilities and support operations in the animal facility and the Pharmacology laboratory.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead, design, execute, and interpret in vivo pharmacology (PK/PD/Efficacy) experiments to test the selected compounds in rodent tumor models.
Establish PK/PD/Efficacy relationship and be able to characterize the Tox profile by using the preclinical animal models for the therapeutic candidates.
Represent the Pharmacology function or act as Project Team Co-Lead (PTL) on Discovery project teams.
Provide scientific support for the project teams and Discovery/ Pharmacology staff.
Utilize literature and internal data sets to design and test hypotheses for drug targets.
Experience working with CROs to coordinate and execute the study in a timely manner.
Prepare Pharmacology study reports for research findings and support IND filings.
Collaborate with the IACUC committee to ensure compliance with internal policies and animal welfare regulations.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
May manage a team in the Pharmacology group
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:
Education:
PhD in Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Cellular Biology, or a closely related field with a minimum of 2 years of industrial experience after post-doctoral training; or
Equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience:
Deep understanding of in vivo Pharmacology (PK, PD, and efficacy) concepts for the oncology drug discovery.
Extensive experience using in vivo tumor models for drug discovery with a proven track record in establishing, validating, and implementing animal models for testing cancer therapies, including xenograft, syngeneic, genetically engineered mouse, orthotopic, PDX, and humanized models to study biologic mechanisms.
Proven track record of writing regulatory and IND filing documents in the pre-clinical Pharmacology section.
Proven track record of good experimental design, in-depth data analysis, and interpretation based on strong scientific rationale.
Expertise in cell culture with aseptic technique and basic vivo techniques (handling, different routes of administration, blood collection, etc.) is a must.
Strong scientific expertise with a good track record of publications.
Managerial experience with a small group (3-5 people) is required.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
In vivo skills include, but are not limited to, animal handling, dosing with different routes (po, iv, sc, ip, im, etc.), blood collection, tissue collection/ perfusion, necropsy, tumor measurement, clinical observation, and rodent survival surgeries.
Understanding the regulations and guidelines of IACUC and AAALAC is a must.
Has flexibility to adapt to a fast-paced work environment and deadlines.
Ability to work in a team-based environment and coach junior scientists.
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Detail-oriented and able to solve problems and offer potential solutions.
Strong communication skills, excellent work ethic, self-motivation, and ability to work effectively either in a team environment or independently.
Advanced knowledge of MS Office, PDF, GraphPad, ELN notebook, and Studylog is required.
JOB COMPLEXITY:
Work on problems of diverse scopes where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
Exercise judgment within generally defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
May require weekend and holiday work to support the in vivo study.
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Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The base pay range for this position is $132,500 - $188,000 annually. The base pay range may take into account the candidate’s geographic region, which will adjust the pay depending on the specific work location. The base pay offered will take into account the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the recruiting process, please email us at: ApplicantAccommodations@exelixis.com.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.
DISCLAIMER:
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.