Distinguished Scientist/ Therapeutic Area Head, Translational Medicine –Neuroscience

Distinguished Scientist / Therapeutic Area Head, Translational Medicine – Neuroscience

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Job Description

The Distinguished Scientist / Therapeutic Area Head, Translational Medicine – Neuroscience is responsible for leading Translational Medicine (TMed) for the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area and strategy, bridging Discovery Research through Late‑Stage Clinical Development. The Therapeutic Area (TA) Lead will provide strategic oversight for the early clinical space, determining and implementing the initial clinical strategy through proof‑of‑concept, pharmacology, and principle, and driving the transition from early to late‑stage governance. The TA Lead will also support clinical pharmacology for the Common Technical Document (CTD) and label, including relevant compound/program life‑cycle management.

The successful candidate will have an essential strategic and tactical role in overseeing the scientific direction of clinical programs involving translational research and early clinical development for the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area. They will operate in a highly collaborative matrixed environment, partnering with global peers and deepening a broad network of cross‑functional partners across TMed, Discovery, and Global Clinical Development.

The role requires deep scientific and therapeutic‑area expertise in Translational Neuroscience, thorough familiarity with drug‑development principles, and the ability to work with ambiguity and uncertainty. The role demands critical, timely, independent decision‑making and high degree of autonomy.

The position reports to the Senior Vice President/Global Head of Translational Medicine (TMed) and sits on the TMed leadership team. The leader must have scientific excellence in Translational Neuroscience, strong leadership, recruitment capabilities, management skills, and excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve on the TMed core leadership team.
• Act as deep subject matter expert in Translational Neuroscience Medicine.
• Member of Neuroscience Discovery Review core team.
• Represent TMed at core governance (early and late stage).
• Provide core TMed input at external licensing committee for Neuroscience.
• Provide clinical updates at early (Discovery – Translational) governance.
• Present and contribute at governance committees (early and late) as needed.
• Present Translational Neuroscience strategy at governance portfolio reviews.
• Oversee and provide strategic and tactical oversight to early development teams in Neuroscience.
• Coordinate dose selection and endorsement at late‑stage governance Dose Day.
• Establish and own Neuroscience strategy with other TA Heads (Discovery/Late‑Stage).
• Lead key technical reviews for Neuroscience assets.
• Conduct DRC reviews (protocols, strategy, other).
• Sign off on clinical pharmacology CTD submissions and NDAs.
• Regular updates with key cross‑functional partners (Discovery/Late‑Stage/Regulatory) and other disciplines.
• Establish novel endpoints for early clinical assessment leveraging experimental medicine paradigms.
• Enable clinical leads and TMed co‑chairs on early development teams to establish and deliver programmatic strategy.
• Responsible for attracting, hiring, developing and retaining talent within the discipline.
• Contribute to shaping TMed department strategy.

Required Education

• MD or MD/PhD.

Required Experience And Skills

• 10+ years of academic and/or industry (pharma, biomedical research) experience with expert scientific and translational knowledge in Neuroscience or Critical Care medicine.
• Strong scientific profile with a track record of publication in top‑tier, peer‑reviewed journals.
• Understanding of systematic discovery approaches (e.g., functional genomics, computational biology, chemical biology).
• Rich understanding of both physiology and pathophysiology in Neuroscience.
• Demonstrated leadership in early clinical drug development, including clinical pharmacology principles, biomarker strategies for target engagement, experimental medicine platforms, early clinical trial design and conduct, and operational implementation.
• Strength in delivering results on firm deadlines in support of the pipeline.
• Ability to develop, analyze, and communicate scientific information.
• Experience in attracting, developing, and retaining talent.
• Proven ability to build and lead high‑performance cross‑functional project teams.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills, and executive presence to engage senior leaders in governance meetings and to function in a team environment.
• Strong decision‑making skills, weighing advantages, disadvantages, and business impact for rapid decisions.
• Ability to work successfully with ambiguity and embrace uncertainty.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and network effectively within a matrixed organization.

Required Skills

Clinical Development, Clinical Governance, Clinical Investigations, Clinical Judgment, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Planning, Clinical Trials, Collaborative Communications, Drug Development, Innovation, Leadership, Neuroscience, People Management, Results‑Oriented, Scientific Consulting, Leadership, Translational Research.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or other legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights, EEOC GINA Supplement, and other relevant sources.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $304,800.00 – $479,800.00. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits, retirement benefits (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Location and Work Model

US And Puerto Rico Residents Only. Hybrid work model: 3 total days on‑site per week (Monday‑Thursday) with Friday remote, unless business critical tasks require on‑site attendance. This model does not apply to field‑based, facility‑based, manufacturing‑based, research‑based positions, or positions covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement, or any role for which remote does not reasonably meet job requirements.

Application Deadline

Job Posting End Date: 11/24/2025. The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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