
R&D
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Senior Scientist –Molecular, Cellular and In vivo Expert in Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorders
At a glance
Bring your curiosity to a team where deep immunoscience meets cutting-edge innovation. Across oncology, rare diseases, neurology, and vaccines, you’ll work at the intersection of lab science and AI-powered discovery — all while collaborating across boundaries to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. Whether you want to deepen your scientific expertise or grow as a leader, you’ll find the opportunity here.
Job Title: Sr. Scientist –Molecular, Cellular and In vivo Expert in Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Location: Cambridge, MA
About the Job
Are you ready to shape the future of medicine? The race is on to speed up drug discovery and development to find answers for patients and their families. Your skills could be critical in helping our teams accelerate progress.
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled scientist with deep expertise in neurodevelopmental diseases biology, combined with strong in vivo and in vitro skills associated to disease models. The ideal candidate will bring robust hands-on experience in vivo and in vitro skills to support phenotypical assessment of neurodevelopmental disease animal models as well as to lead exploration of novel pathways and targets. We are a team that encourages creativity and proactiveness to unlock new therapeutic avenues. This is an exciting opportunity to make an early and meaningful impact on therapies for patients with devastating neurodevelopmental diseases.
In this role, you will lead efforts to discover and validate novel RNA-based therapeutic targets and strategies. Your work will play a critical role in advancing our rare disease pipeline, particularly in rare neurodevelopmental indications. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to translate scientific insights into new programs, contributing to the strategic expansion of our therapeutic portfolio.
We are an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, with countless opportunities to explore, make connections with people, and stretch the limits of what you thought was possible. Ready to get started?
Main Responsibilities:
Drive new program initiation by applying expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders mechanisms and RNA biology
Design, develop and conduct in vitro and in vivo mechanism-of-action, and proof-of-concept studies to validate targets and evaluate therapeutic strategies
Contribute to interdisciplinary research programs in a highly collaborative manner across internal groups and with external partners, with opportunity to grow into a project leadership role
Prepare high-quality analyses, interpretation, documentation, and presentations to support project milestones, publications, patent filings, and potentially regulatory (IND/CTA) filings
Present findings and progress in internal meetings and external venues as appropriate (e.g., publications, conferences, collaboration and governance meetings)
About You
Basic Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, In vivo Biology or a related discipline, with 3+ years of relevant experience in a biopharmaceutical or academic research setting
Deep expertise in neurodevelopmental diseases biology and in vivo and in vitro models
Expertise in RNA homeostasis including RNA regulation and processing (e.g., splicing, stability, transport), the roles of regulatory RNAs and translation regulation mechanism
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality scientific documentation, including experimental protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical reports, and presentations
Proven track record of meaningful contributions to research programs, evidenced by scientific publications and/or presentations
Preferred Qualifications:
Hands-on experience with disease-relevant in vivo models, including functional and phenotypic assays such as Electroencephalogram (EEG), Paired-Pulse Facilitation assay (PPF), SYNaptic Proximity Ligation Assay (SYNPLA), field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs), synaptic plasticity measurement techniques, behavior, cognitive and motor functional assays
In vitro skills: Proficiency in iPSC culture, imaging microscopy, and high throughput imaging microscopy, in vitro neuronal activity (Microelectrodes array plate), Calcium imaging
Molecular skills: gene expression analysis (qPCR, ddPCR, WB, ELISA/MSD), molecular cloning, vector design, gene editing (e.g., CRISPR)
Experience with discovery, optimization, and development of small molecules and/or oligonucleotides
Familiarity with drug discovery and development processes
Skills and competencies:
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional, matrixed teams
Highly adaptable, with strong multitasking skills and the ability to manage shifting priorities and timelines
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound scientific judgment
Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly
Interpersonal strengths that foster effective collaboration and the ability to build productive working relationships
Outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to maintaining rigorous documentation
Why Choose Us?
Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.
Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.
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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.
Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.
Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.
At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com
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Why work with us
- Expand your horizons. Grow through curiosity, with support to move, learn, and lead in a culture that champions mentorship, mobility, and bold development.
- Accelerate results with technology. Harness the power of AI and automation to push scientific boundaries and reimagine what's possible in drug discovery.
- Impact through inclusive innovation. Help deliver better science and fairer outcomes by driving inclusive research that reaches more people, in more meaningful ways.
- Turn patient needs into breakthrough science. Drive scientific breakthroughs that start with patient needs – and end in treatments that change lives.
Meet Nils Libert, Associate Scientist
Meet Nils Libert, an Associate Scientist in Belgium, where he plays a key role in advancing groundbreaking research. Learn how his work helps drive innovation, uncover new scientific possibilities, and contribute to life-changing treatments that impact patients around the world.

"At Sanofi, we are building an R&D engine powered by the best science, digital innovation, and a commitment to transforming the lives of patients around the world."

Houman Ashrafian
EVP & Head of R&D
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