Ophthalmology Senior Scientist, Translational Development

at  Apellis Pharmaceuticals

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a motivated senior scientist with a passion for solving complex problems and contributing creatively within a small collaborative environment. As a member of the Ophthalmology Core Team in our Translational Development group, this position will play a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of ocular diseases and developing therapeutic strategies targeting the complement cascade and beyond. In this role, the candidate will lead cross-functional projects and programs aimed at identifying, developing, and prioritizing new therapeutic targets for retinopathies, including but not limited to geographic atrophy. This includes exploring targets both within and outside of the complement cascade to advance innovative treatment strategies.
The candidate will be responsible for conducting thorough target diligence, designing and overseeing early proof-of-concept studies, and integrating preclinical data to inform decision-making. They will work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to deliver a comprehensive and strategic approach to addressing complex ocular disease indications. Additionally, the role requires staying at the forefront of scientific advancements in ocular biology, leveraging these insights to shape the future pipeline of therapeutic options.

EDUCATION, REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION:

• PhD in ophthalmology or vision research
• Master’s with 7+ years’ experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in ophthalmology research, with a focus on retinal diseases.
• Demonstrated leadership in a matrix organization, including strong influential skills to drive functional excellence.
• Proven expertise in strategic program management, project leadership, and managing external collaborations to achieve research objectives.
• Proficiency in evaluating therapeutic modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, oligonucleotides) through both in vitro and in vivo methods.
• Experience in start-up or small company environments, with the ability to work independently and adapt to limited support structures.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating with diverse, geographically dispersed teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated individual with high integrity, courage, and the ability to work independently.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Be a champion of collaboration in high performing teams.
• Highly motivated team player, willing to contribute where needed in a flexible and fast-paced environment is required
• Strong organizational skills and attention to details are essential.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and document experiments using electronic lab notebook.
• Capable of conducting statistical analysis required
• Expertise in using common research software applications (such as Prism, Excel, PowerPoint).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Systematically assess and identify optimal therapeutic targets within the complement cascade and neurodegenerative and inflammatory pathways for retinal diseases.
• Contribute to, develop and execute screening funnel strategies for candidate optimization to enable lead asset selection across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo platforms incorporating disease models for retinopathies, including neovascular and degenerative conditions.
• Oversee external vendor relationships, including animal CROs and academic collaborators, to advance ocular research initiatives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (e.g., chemistry, pharmacology, and bioanalytical) to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
• Dedicate a portion of time to the execution of existing projects, ensuring alignment with established goals.
• Represent ophthalmology as a SME on internal project teams, contributing expertise to drive.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.