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Research and Development

R&D
Where your curiosity drives the
miracles of
science

Senior Research Associate

Cambridge, Massachusetts Salary Range   USD 75,000.00 - 108,333.33
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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 Research Associate

  • Location: Cambridge, MA

About the Job:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Research Associate to lead preclinical in vivo research programs within our Neurology Research team. This role will drive the design and execution of complex pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, efficacy evaluations in disease-relevant models, and molecular characterization of therapeutic candidates. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in rodent models, molecular biology, and cell-based assays, combined with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams in support of our drug discovery pipeline.

Join the engine of Sanofi’s mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research. In R&D, you’ll drive breakthroughs that could turn the impossible into possible for millions.

About Sanofi:


We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main Responsibilities

1. In Vivo Research Leadership

  • Lead and independently execute acute and chronic in vivo PK/PD studies in rodent models to establish exposure-response relationships and assess therapeutic efficacy.

  • Design and coordinate complex dosing regimens across multiple administration routes (PO, IP, SQ, IV) with responsibility for clinical observations, sample collection timing, and tissue harvesting.

  • Perform advanced mouse procedures including blood micro-sampling, terminal collections, brain dissection and microdissection, and CSF collection.

  • Manage large-scale in vivo studies from experimental design through data analysis and interpretation.

2. Molecular and Cellular Biology

  • Process and analyze tissue samples from in vivo studies using advanced molecular assay platforms including NULISA, MSD, ELISA, and Western Blot to assess pharmacodynamic and biological responses.

  • Establish and maintain primary cell cultures and iPSC-derived tri-culture systems for compound screening and mechanistic studies.

  • Utilize flow cytometry to characterize protein expression across cell types and experimental conditions, including sample preparation, staining optimization, and analysis.

  • Develop and optimize plate-based cellular assays to evaluate compound activity and cellular responses.

About You

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biology, or related life sciences discipline.

  • Minimum 2-4 years of hands-on research experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry settings.

  • Experience in neuroscience research or CNS-focused drug discovery programs.

  • Extensive experience executing in vivo studies in mouse models with proficiency in multiple dosing routes and sample collection techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to experimental detail and documentation.

  • Collaborative mindset with demonstrated success working in cross-functional team environments.

  • Commitment to animal welfare and ethical research practices.

  • Strong foundation in molecular biology techniques including Western Blot, ELISA, qPCR, and protein quantification methods.

  • Experience with specialized assay platforms such as NULISA or MSD multiplex immunoassays.

  • Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, including primary cells and/or iPSC-derived culture systems.

  • Familiarity with flow cytometry for cell characterization, including panel design, sample preparation, acquisition, and data analysis.

  • Experience with high content imaging platforms for cellular analysis and phenotypic screening.

  • Familiarity with Incucyte live-cell analysis systems for real-time monitoring of cellular dynamics and kinetic assays.

  • Proficiency with data analysis and visualization software (GraphPad Prism or equivalent).

  • Experience with electronic laboratory notebooks (Benchling or similar platforms) and data management systems.

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.

  • Be part of a pioneering biopharma company that engages patients early in drug development and uses their insights to design studies that reflect real-world needs.

  • Help improve the lives of millions of people globally by making drug development quicker and more effective.

  • Work at the forefront of drug discovery, harnessing cutting-edge AI, data, and digital platforms to push the boundaries of science.


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

Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, expertise, location, and others. Employees may be eligible to participate in company employee benefit programs.

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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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