Skip to content
CV Rocket
Get started
How it worksThe enginePricingBlogContactSign in

Open nowPosted 79 days ago

Principal Scientist, Ophthalmology Research

Astellas98 open roles

Pay
$145,460 – $207,800 a year
Where
Westborough, MA, USA
Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

Your applicationOpen nowPrincipal Scientist, Ophthalmology ResearchAstellas · Westborough, MA, USA

  1. YouYes, apply to this one.

  2. CV RocketCV written for this posting.

  3. 25 readersRecruiter, hiring manager, skeptic. Round after round.

  4. CV RocketApplied on Astellas's own form.

The reply lands in your private mailbox

3×more interviews than doing it yourself with ChatGPT.

The clock on this job

Early applications get read.

12.3% of postings close within 7 days. Measured by our own scanner across the market. Astellas postings stay open a median of 1 days.

Share of postings closed within
  1. 2.1%1 day
  2. 4.5%3 days
  3. 12.3%7 days
  4. 19.3%14 days
  5. 35.6%30 days
  6. 57.8%60 days
This job: posted 79 days ago

Astellas median: 1 days open

The posting

Principal Scientist, Ophthalmology Research

About Astellas

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com.

Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?

We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.

Purpose & Scope

The Principal Scientist, Ophthalmology Research is a scientific leader responsible for designing, executing, and interpreting in vivo ophthalmology research to advance therapeutic programs from discovery through candidate nomination and early development. The incumbent will generate high-quality data that inform strategic program decisions while serving as a key contributor within cross-functional and external collaborations. This is a hands-on laboratory role requiring the scientist to lead from the bench, while mentoring/managing a small team of junior colleagues and fostering a highly collaborative and inclusive broader team environment.

Role and Responsibilities

  • Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret in vivo pharmacology studies to evaluate therapeutic candidates across ophthalmology indications and therapeutic modalities.
  • Lead from the bench by personally contributing to the execution of in vivo studies while providing technical and scientific leadership to project teams.
  • Develop and test hypotheses through integration of available in vitro and in vivo data, generating insights that inform program strategy, candidate selection, and go/no-go decisions.
  • Lead and coordinate interdisciplinary research efforts, including collaborations with internal stakeholders, external partners, and contract research organizations, to ensure high-quality and timely execution of studies.
  • Design and implement translational research strategies that advance understanding of disease biology, mechanism of action, pharmacology, and therapeutic efficacy.
  • Contribute to the generation of preclinical data packages supporting internal program milestones and regulatory submissions to health authorities.
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and scientifically rigorous working environment by building strong cross-functional relationships, openly sharing knowledge, mentoring colleagues, and contributing positively to team culture.
  • Maintain accurate experimental records and effectively communicate scientific findings internally through presentations, reports, and cross-functional discussions.
  • Remain current with scientific literature, emerging technologies, and advances in ophthalmology and drug discovery to identify new opportunities and approaches.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, Biology, Pharmacology, or a related scientific discipline with 8+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry research experience.
  • Deep expertise in ophthalmic research, including retinal/ocular disease biology, and a strong track record of advancing scientific programs.
  • Significant hands-on experience designing, conducting, and interpreting in vivo ophthalmology studies to support drug discovery, translational research, and/or early development.
  • Experience evaluating one or more therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, gene therapies, cell therapies, or RNA-based therapeutics.
  • Strong technical expertise in ocular imaging, visual function testing, and histological evaluation of ocular tissues; this includes techniques such as OCT, fundus imaging, ERG, vision-dependent behavior assays (e.g. optomotor response), and retinal histology/histopathology.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently develop study strategies, solve complex scientific problems, and translate data into actionable program recommendations and go/no-go decisions.
  • Proven experience leading scientific programs in a matrixed environment through both direct experimental contributions and scientific leadership.
  • Demonstrated scientific achievement through publications, patents, therapeutic program advancement, or contributions to successful drug discovery and development efforts.
  • Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building productive relationships across functions, mentoring colleagues, and positively contributing to team culture.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across scientific disciplines and organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience serving as a scientific or project leader within multidisciplinary drug discovery teams and mentoring or developing junior scientists (e.g. through managerial experience).
  • Experience with intraocular dosing techniques in rodents (e.g. subretinal injection, intravitreal injection, etc.)
  • Industry experience advancing ophthalmology therapeutics through drug discovery, translational research, and/or early development.
  • Experience generating pharmacology data packages that support regulatory submissions to health authorities (e.g. IND, pre-IND, INTERACT, Type D, etc.).
  • Experience with safety evaluation of ocular therapeutics, including structural and functional analyses.

Location and Working Environment

  • This position is based in Westborough, MA and requires on-site work.
  • The incumbent is expected to lead from the bench through active participation in experimental design, study execution, data analysis, and scientific leadership.
  • The role involves collaboration with internal and external stakeholders in a highly collaborative research environment.

What awaits you at Astellas?

  • Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, all dedicated to improving patients' lives worldwide.
  • Real-world patient impact: Contribute to transformative therapies that reach patients around the world, knowing your work makes a difference every day.
  • Relentless Innovation: Join a company at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
  • A Culture of Growth: Chart your own course within a supportive environment that values your contributions, champions your development, and empowers you to pursue your passions.

Our Organizational Values and Behaviors

Values: Innovation, Integrity and Impact sit at the heart of what we do.

Behaviors: We come together as ‘One Astellas’, working with courage and a sense of urgency. We are outcome focused and consistently take accountability for our personal contribution.

Salary Range

$145,460-207,800 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations.)

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
  • 401(k) match and annual company contribution
  • Company paid life insurance
  • Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
  • Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
  • Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
  • Referral bonus program

#LI-TR1

From $25, paid onceGet the CV for this job

What happens when you press

One press. We do the rest.

  1. A CV for this posting

    Written against Astellas's own wording, from every piece of relevant proof in your profile.

  2. 25 readers review it

    Recruiter, hiring manager, skeptic and more read every draft, round after round. You get the best round.

    The review screen in CV Rocket: how each CV was read, round by round.

  3. We apply on Astellas's form

    Our application engine gets through the hardest forms there are. Where a question needs you, AI suggests the best answer. Don't want us applying from our IP addresses? Use our Chrome extension: we apply straight from your own browser.

    An application in CV Rocket: every answer filled in on the employer's form.

  4. Every reply, sorted

    Astellas's answer lands in your private mailbox, and we classify it on arrival: interview, question, rejection.

    The CV Rocket inbox: each employer reply classified as an interview, an action or a rejection.

  5. Reply with AI

    AI helps you write the email, checks it and sends it. We show you whether the recruiter read it.

  6. The interview in your calendar

    Full integration with your calendar. The invitation goes straight in.

    An interview invitation in the CV Rocket inbox, added to the candidate's calendar.
Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

Why it works

3×

more interviews than doing it yourself with ChatGPT.

ChatGPT writes a CV and never learns what happened to it. We see every reply. For each CV we know:

  • How it was written, and how the review scored it
  • When we applied, and how long after the posting went up
  • Which posting, which company, which city
  • Who got the interview, and who heard nothing

That is how we know which CVs get called.

Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

The numbers game

More applications. More interviews.

Every application goes out with its own CV, written for that posting and paid once. Send enough of them and the law of large numbers finds you the job.

Get the CV for this job
By hand5–10
With CV Rocket100
applications a day

Nearby

Live postings like this one

Same employer first, then the same role elsewhere.

Before you press

Straight answers

Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

What if my background isn't good enough?

We make the most of the background you have. The CV uses every piece of relevant proof your profile holds, and one of the 25 readers reads your whole profile and flags what the CV left out.

Do you really apply for me?

Yes, on the employer's own form, the hardest ones included. Where a question needs you, you answer it right there and AI suggests the best answer. Don't want us applying from our IP addresses? Use our Chrome extension: we apply straight from your own browser.

Is it a subscription?

No. You pay once per CV, from $25. Every application goes out with its own CV, written for that posting.

One job. One CV.
Paid once.

Pick the posting you want. We write for it, apply for you and catch the reply.

Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.