Neurocrine

Scientific Director, Neurodegenerative Disease

US CA San Diego Full time

Who We Are:

At Neurocrine Biosciences, we pride ourselves on having a strong, inclusive, and positive culture based on our shared purpose and values. We know what it takes to be great, and we are as passionate about our people as we are about our purpose - to relieve suffering for people with great needs.

What We Do:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading neuroscience-focused, biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering and developing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids,* as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedInX and Facebook. (*in collaboration with AbbVie)

About the Role:

Neurocrine is seeking an experienced and strategic Scientific Director, Neurodegenerative Disease to provide senior scientific leadership across discovery and translational biology programs within the Neurology Therapeutic Area, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert in neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and microglial biology, helping shape scientific strategy from early target discovery through preclinical development and translational planning.

In this role, you will help advance internal research programs, identify and assess novel therapeutic opportunities, and support external innovation efforts, including scientific due diligence for partnering and licensing opportunities. This is a high-impact opportunity for a scientific leader who brings deep expertise, strong cross-functional leadership, and a passion for translating complex biology into innovative drug discovery strategies.

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Your Contributions (include, but are not limited to):

  • Provide scientific leadership across discovery and translational biology efforts for Neurology programs focused on Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders

  • Serve as an internal expert in neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and microglial biology, contributing to portfolio strategy, target identification, and program direction

  • Lead translational research strategies that connect disease biology to pharmacology, biomarkers, preclinical models, and proof-of-concept studies

  • Oversee the design, application, and interpretation of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays and disease-relevant model systems supporting neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation programs

  • Partner cross-functionally with Biology, Pharmacology, Translational Sciences, Biomarkers, DMPK, Toxicology, Project Leadership, Clinical Development, and Business Development to advance programs and inform decision-making

  • Evaluate internal and external scientific opportunities, including target biology, platform capabilities, translational relevance, and competitive differentiation

  • Interpret complex datasets across multiple modalities and communicate strategy, data, and recommendations clearly to senior leadership, governance teams, and external collaborators

  • Mentor scientists and contribute to a collaborative, innovative, and scientifically rigorous research environment

Requirements:

  • PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in Neuroscience, Immunology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, or a related scientific discipline with 7+ years’ experience industry and/or translational research experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug discovery, with scientific leadership experience in neurodegeneration-focused programs OR

  • MS/MA in biology or similar discipline and 10+ years’ experience OR

  • BS/BA in biology or similar discipline and 12+ years’ experience

  • Deep expertise in Alzheimer’s Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, including disease biology, target validation, and translational preclinical strategy

  • Strong background in microglial biology, neuroinflammation, and CNS innate immune pathways, with hands-on and strategic experience in relevant preclinical assays and disease models

  • Demonstrated success advancing programs from target discovery through preclinical candidate support in a matrixed, cross-functional environment

Preferred Experience

  • Direct experience with translational endpoints such as pharmacodynamic biomarkers, disease-relevant readouts, omics-based profiling, and patient-derived systems

  • Familiarity with emerging therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative disease, including biologics, small molecules, gene-modifying strategies, or immune-modulating approaches

  • Experience integrating findings from human genetics, clinical literature, translational datasets, and preclinical pharmacology to prioritize targets and programs

  • Demonstrated success contributing to or leading early research portfolio expansion through novel target ideation or external innovation assessment

#LI-DM1

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer.

We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

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The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $195,700.00-$267,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 35% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.