Sr Scientist, Innovation Lab

Thanks for your interest in this position. If the role could match your career goals, discuss with your current manager and HRBP to determine alignment. If everything is a go, apply and the Talent Acquisition team will contact you for an interview so we can also get to know you better.

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is seeking a skilled and innovative Scientist to join our Innovation Lab team. This role will be instrumental in designing, executing, and analyzing preclinical experiments for internal innovation programs toward the creation of disruptive, new category-creating eye care pipeline programs for Tarsus, as well as helping to operationalize our new in-house laboratory facilities.

The individual will manage external research collaborations with CROs and academic partners while conducting hands-on experiments in our internal laboratory facility. This scientist will work closely with the rest of the Innovation Lab team to translate unmet needs into viable therapeutic strategies across multiple ophthalmology disease areas. The ideal candidate brings scientific versatility, strong project management skills, and the ability to transform research objectives into actionable experimental plans.

• Serve as the expert scientific voice on the Innovation team, responsible for designing the scientific strategy and experimental plans required to meet goals set by leadership
• Identify, establish, and provide strategic oversight for external research collaborations, serving as an advisor to scientists on relationship management
• Lead the design, validation, and scientific oversight of experimental protocols, serving as the technical source of truth for the team
• Coordinate with external partners on in vivo ophthalmology models for efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity studies
• Oversee the execution of experiments in our internal lab while also conducting experiments where necessary
• Conduct basic science and clinical literature reviews, and be able to succinctly summarize in presentations disease pathophysiologic mechanisms and potential translation of various therapies
• Lead the analysis and interpretation of complex data sets, and present key findings and strategic recommendations to cross-functional teams and leadership
• Contribute to the continued development of our laboratory infrastructure
• Serve as a key scientific advisor on cross-functional initiatives, providing in-depth program evaluation to support diligence efforts
• Formally manage, mentor, and develop a team of scientists
• Lead the overall development of laboratory infrastructure, with the expectation to delegate specific operational responsibilities to the scientific team over time
• Stay current with scientific and medical literature in relevant therapeutic areas

• PhD with 2+ years of experience in the life science industry required OR MS with 6+ years life sciences experience OR BS with 8+ years life sciences experience
• Experience designing and executing preclinical studies, with expertise in in vitro techniques and cell/tissue culture
• Experience managing external research collaborations (CROs or academic partnerships) and multiple concurrent projects
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting complex data, with ability to clearly communicate scientific findings
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while aligning with strategic objectives
• Experience setting up or managing laboratory operations required
• Prior experience mentoring, supervising, or managing junior scientific staff is highly preferred
• Scientific ophthalmology experience highly preferred

• The position will be based in our Irvine office, with a hybrid work environment
• This position reports directly to the Director, Innovation Lab, with a dotted line to the Associate Director, Innovation Labs
• Some travel may be required – up to 30%

The expected base pay range for this position is $116,200 - $162,800 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits. Base pay is determined by factors such as job-related skills, experience and education. Our benefits include health, dental and vision insurance to support well-being. We offer work-life balance and generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, and personal days). For more details regarding Tarsus benefits, please visit:

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