Director, In Vivo Pharmacology and Disease Biology

Job overview

The Director, In Vivo Pharmacology and Disease Biology works onsite in Emeryville, CA. The base salary range is $220,000–$250,000 per year, plus annual bonus and equity. The role supports Prolynx, a preclinical biotechnology company developing long-acting medicines for obesity, cardiometabolic, and other diseases. The director builds and leads the in vivo pharmacology function, setting portfolio strategy and generating evidence to guide drug development decisions. Through animal-model studies, CRO partnerships, translational analysis, and regulatory documentation, the role helps advance differentiated therapies toward clinical development.

What you'll do

• Set in vivo pharmacology strategy
• design, oversee, analyze, and interpret efficacy and PK/PD studies
• develop disease-relevant animal models
• manage CRO selection, governance, budgets, and study execution
• translate preclinical findings into biomarkers and human dose projections
• define go/no-go criteria
• report recommendations to leadership
• author or review study reports and IND materials
• and potentially build and mentor an internal team as the function grows.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

in vivo pharmacology

disease biology

biotechnology

preclinical research

animal models

pk/pd

cro management

drug development

emeryville ca

5am ventures

$220k–$250k

annual bonus

equity

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Annual bonus and equity, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401(k), and paid time off.

Why this role

Newly created leadership role on the Preclinical Leadership Team, with an opportunity over time to build an internal team. Requires a PhD or DVM and at least 10 years of relevant industry experience.

About the employer

5AM Ventures is hiring for this role. Industry: Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology). Sector: 54.