Senior Principal Scientist - Translational Muscle Biology

Make your mark for patients

We are seeking a Senior Principal Scientist to join the US Neuromuscular group based in Cambridge, MA and help drive translational biology drug discovery efforts with an emphasis on muscle biology. This is an opportunity for a scientific leader to advance portfolio projects and lead from the bench, exploring new biology and directly shaping the design, development, and execution of in vitro and in vivo models as well as cellular and biochemical assays for early drug discovery across multiple therapeutic programs and target discovery efforts. The candidate will bring hands-on scientific leadership to a matrixed team focused on identifying and building knowledge across pathobiological pathways and patient populations, including neuromuscular diseases related to nucleotide repeat expansions, genetic mutations, muscle atrophy, mitochondrial/lysosomal dysfunction, or inflammation.

Responsibilities:

Team leadership: Supervise and mentor junior scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.

Project management: Oversee multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery of milestones and effective resource allocation.

Innovation: Identify and implement new technologies and methodologies to advance muscle cell biology and translational research.

Model Development: Design, characterize and validate primary cell or stem cell/3D models for therapeutic programs.

Assay Execution: Lead the design of cell-based assays to assess therapeutic candidates or validate new gene-editing targets.

Lab bench work: Maintain a minimum 30% hands-on laboratory contribution to support assay execution, model development, and experimental troubleshooting across neuromuscular translational biology programs.

Muscle biology: Drive the design and execution of in vivo and in vitro assays to enhance understanding of neuromuscular disease biology.

Team Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate translational biology insights into therapeutic programs or new target proposals.

Data Management: Document, analyze, and present data to internal teams.

Requirements:

PhD with 15+ years or MS Degree with 20+ years in drug discovery, biology, cellular biology, bioengineering or related field.

Competencies:

Proven ability to lead projects, supervise and mentor scientists

Deep knowledge in muscle biology and translational assays.

Strong assay development and drug discovery knowledge.

Strong track record of publishing in high-impact journals and presenting at scientific conferences.

Deep experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular and biochemical assays.

Strong attention to detail, and enthusiasm for learning.

Knowledge in mitochondrial biology is a plus

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

About us 

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us? 

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless explicitly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. UCB invites you to voluntarily self-identify during the application process. Provision of self-identification information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your application for employment, your employment with UCB, or otherwise subject you to any adverse treatment. Any information you provide will be considered confidential and will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders, and regulations.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on US-Reasonable_Accommodation@ucb.com for application to US based roles. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.