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Senior Principal Scientist – EIR for Therapeutic Discovery

Cambridge, Massachusetts Salary Range   USD 147,000.00 - 212,333.33
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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: Senior Principal Scientist – EIR for Therapeutic Discovery

Location:Cambridge, MA

About the Job

Sanofi Intrépide Research Laboratories is an innovative initiative identifying and advancing breakthrough science, technology, and business opportunities critical to our pipeline strategy. Operating globally with sites in the US and China, we foster an entrepreneurial culture where scientific excellence drives decision-making. Our agile teams work collaboratively to accelerate the delivery of high-impact therapeutics through efficient execution and creative problem-solving. With an operating model based on start-up biotech companies, Intrépide US is validating emerging biology, technology and molecules, incubating novel mechanisms of action and approaches, and removing key scientific and technological barriers to unlock value creation.

The Senior Prinicipal Scientist – Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) will explore the innovation ecosystem within and beyond Sanofi to select concepts for evaluation. They will develop Program proposals for Intrépide Research Labs (IRL), each analogous to a biotech start-up, based on these concepts. This role combines scientific leadership with strategic vision to accelerate therapeutic discovery and establish new research capabilities.

We deliver 4.3 billion healthcare solutions to people every year, thanks to the flawless planning and meticulous eye for detail of our Manufacturing & Supply teams. With your talent and ambition, we can do even more to protect people from infectious diseases and bring hope to patients and their families.

Main Responsibilities:

  • Seek ideas for new IRL Programs, identifying key questions, risks and potential value.

  • Develop efficient project plans, with milestones, timelines and costs, for proposals with high potential.

  • Prepare presentations to pitch Program proposals to ad-hoc SAB and/or the Intrépide US Board of Directors.

  • Provide scientific leadership in designing and implementing mechanism-of-action and proof-of-concept studies for target validation and identification of new therapeutic molecules, both biologics and small molecule.

  • Establish and direct laboratory capabilities, including strategic planning for equipment and infrastructure.

  • Lead and manage external research partnerships with global CROs.

  • Drive cross-functional collaboration across Sanofi's global research organization

About You

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's + 12 years in biopharma OR

  • Master's + 9 years in biopharma OR

  • Ph.D. + 7 years post-doctoral in biopharma.

  • Proven track record of leading successful protein-based and/or small molecule discovery projects.

  • Deep expertise in immune-related disease biology, models, and therapeutics.

  • Extensive experience managing external research collaborations.

  • Strong record of building and leading research teams.

Core Competencies:

  • Strategic thinking and decision-making capability.

  • Excellence in scientific leadership and team development.

  • Outstanding project and resource management skills.

  • Strong business acumen and stakeholder management ability.

  • Proven ability to drive innovation in a fast-paced environment.

Impact:

  • Shape and implement research strategy for novel therapeutic modalities.

  • Build foundational capabilities for Intrépide's US operations.

  • Drive critical decision-making for pipeline advancement.

  • Develop and mentor next generation of scientific leaders.

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.

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EVP & Head of R&D

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