Director/Senior Director, Preclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology

Description

Viking Therapeutics is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Director or Senior Director, Preclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology, to support the advancement of innovative therapies for metabolic disease and obesity. The successful candidate will play a key role in the design, execution, interpretation, and strategic integration of preclinical pharmacology and toxicology studies supporting peptide and small-molecule drug candidates from discovery through IND and early clinical development. This individual will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including DMPK, CMC, Clinical Pharmacology, Regulatory, and external CRO partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The main responsibilities of this role include:

• Lead nonclinical in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and toxicology strategies for obesity and metabolic disease programs.
• Design, monitor, and interpret GLP and non-GLP toxicology studies, safety pharmacology studies, exploratory mechanistic studies, and juvenile and reproductive toxicology programs, as applicable.
• Serve as the scientific lead for CRO interactions, study oversight, and data review.
• Integrate pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, toxicokinetic, pathology, and biomarker data to support lead selection, optimization, and development decisions.
• Contribute to INDs, Investigator’s Brochures, briefing books, NDAs, and other regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with clinical and translational teams to support dose selection and risk assessment.
• Evaluate emerging literature and the competitive landscape in obesity and metabolic disease therapeutics.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to building scientific capabilities across the organization.
• Support strategic planning for combination and next-generation metabolic therapies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience 

• PhD, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent degree in Pharmacology, Toxicology, Physiology, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
• Preferred expertise in metabolic disease pharmacology, obesity therapeutics, GLP-compliant toxicology, and translational science.
• Experience supporting IND-enabling programs.
• Familiarity with ICH nonclinical guidelines and other regulatory guidance related to nonclinical development.
• Understanding of peptide therapeutics and small-molecule drug development.

Knowledge and Skills 

• Experience with GLP-1/GIP/amylin or related metabolic pathways, combination therapies, acute and chronic toxicology programs, and DMPK/TK interpretation.
• Prior interactions with FDA and global regulatory agencies.
• Experience managing external CRO networks and budgets.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced biotech environment while managing multiple concurrent programs.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Team Player with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

VIKING THERAPEUTICS

Viking Therapeutics, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Viking Therapeutics also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Viking employee by a third-party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, and assignment of specific position, will become the sole property of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral.  #LI-DNI 

Salary Description

$205,000.00 - $220,000.00 annual salary