Scientist, Pre-Clinical Biomarkers and Translational Research

Keros Therapeutics

$133K — $157K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. or Master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline with substantial industry experience.
  • Strong research and experimental design skills, particularly in biomarker development.
  • In-depth knowledge of TGF-? superfamily biology and related signaling pathways.
  • Hands-on experience with in vivo models and preclinical sample analysis.
  • Proficient in assay techniques such as ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, and Western blotting.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define biomarker strategies.
  • Generate hypotheses and design in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate mechanisms of action.
  • Develop and optimize biomarker assays and troubleshoot assay performance.
  • Analyze biological samples from preclinical studies for actionable insights.
  • Evaluate and implement relevant assay platforms and custom methods as necessary.
  • Present study findings and interpretations at project meetings and contribute to documentation.
  • Assist with assay transfers and support external collaborations with CROs.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
  • Collaborative and innovative work environment.
  • Engagement in cutting-edge research projects.
  • Potential for publications and intellectual property contributions.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

In the role of Scientist, Preclinical Biomarkers and Translational Research, you will join the Bioanalytical Sciences group to advance novel biologic programs from pre-clinical to clinical development. You will partner closely with Biology, Toxicology, and other cross-functional teams to translate biological questions into biomarker strategies; design and execute hypothesis-driven studies; develop fit-for-purpose assays; analyze preclinical samples; and interpret results in the context of TGF-beta superfamily biology, mechanism of action, PK/PD, efficacy, and safety. This is a highly hands-on research position requiring strong scientific judgement, rigorous experimental design, excellent bench and in vivo skills, and clear communication of actionable conclusions.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Partner with Biology, Toxicology and other cross-functional teams to identify critical biological questions and establish biomarker strategies for target engagement, pharmacodynamic activity, efficacy, disease biology, and potential safety findings.
  • Independently generate scientific hypotheses and design, execute, and interpret in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies that clarify mechanism of action and support program decisions.
  • Develop, optimize, qualify, and troubleshoot fit-for-purpose biomarker assays using relevant platforms such as ELISA/MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, multicolor flow cytometry, and cell-based assays.
  • Perform hands-on analysis of serum, plasma, tissue, and cellular samples from preclinical studies, including tissue processing, tissue dissociation, primary cell isolation, and ex vivo functional analyses.
  • Evaluate commercial kits, antibodies, reagents, and assay platforms; develop custom methods when needed; and ensure assay performance, reproducibility, data integrity, and appropriate documentation.
  • Present study designs, data, interpretations, limitations, and recommendations at project team meetings and contribute to study reports, technical documents, publications, and patent-related activities.
  • Support assay transfer and external CRO activities under the guidance of the Director of Bioanalysis, as needed.

Core Competencies (Required Skills)
  • Strong research ability, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, assay troubleshooting, and critical data interpretation
  • Good understanding of TGF-β superfamily biology, related signaling pathways, and their roles in disease mechanisms.
  • Hands-on experience within vivo models, tissue collection and processing, and preclinical sample analysis.
  • Technical expertise in relevant methods such as ELISA, MSD, qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and mammalian cell culture, and experience developing and optimizing biomarker assays.
  • Strong quantitative analysis and data visualization skills using GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, or comparable software, with careful attention to reproducibility and data integrity.
  • Strong collaboration, scientific communication, documentation, and data-presentation skills.

Preferred Skills
  • Experience supporting biologic drug-discovery programs.
  • Experience applying TGF-beta pathway biology to preclinical, target validation, mechanism-of-action, or biomarker studies.
  • Experience with MSD, Luminex, multiplex assays, flow cytometry.
  • Experience with primary cells, ex vivo assays, gene perturbation, or novel disease-model development.

Education Requirements
  • Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline, with at least 2 years of relevant industry and/or postdoctoral research experience, or a Master's degree with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience


This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, and other relevant factors.

Potential base pay range

$133,000-$157,000 USD

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