Senior Scientist, IHC

Scholar Rock is a Phase 3, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines for the treatment of serious diseases in which signaling by protein growth factors plays a fundamental role.

Our most advanced investigational product candidate, apitegromab (SRK-015), a selective inhibitor of the activation of the growth factor myostatin in skeletal muscle, is in development for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA. Following positive results from the TOPAZ Phase 2 trial in patients with Type 2 and Type 3 SMA, we are now advancing apitegromab development through SAPPHIRE, an ongoing, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical trial. In addition, we are conducting our DRAGON Phase 1 proof-of-concept trial for SRK-181, a selective inhibitor of latent TGFβ1 activation, in patients with locally advanced and metastatic solid tumors.

By combining our deep structural insights with antibody drug discovery, Scholar Rock is creating a pipeline of novel product candidates with the potential to transform the lives of patients suffering from a wide range of serious diseases, including neuromuscular disorders, cancer, and fibrosis.

Summary of Position:

Scholar Rock seeks a highly motivated associate with a background in immunohistochemistry to join our research team. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting and maintaining all aspects of our histopathology workflow, with a strong emphasis on automation. This person will play a key role in our Translational Science team as they will help establish IHC / IF / ISH assays to characterize drug targets and measure disease endpoints in both patient samples and preclinical models. This position requires a high degree of independence in lab activities and managing external labs (e.g., CROs), and comfort interfacing directly and communicating with program team leads to design novel assays.

• Perform all aspects of histology including tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining for multiple projects.
• Management of external laboratories (e.g., CROs), which includes vendor selection, technical oversight, budgets, and maintaining project timelines.
• Develop and optimize immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays with automated platforms.
• Develop in-situ hybridization (ISH) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) protocols.
• Independently prepare and maintain all necessary pathology lab instruments and reagents.
• Independently lead and contribute to experimental design, planning, and execution of research projects.
• Support, organize, and maintain a digital image repository for all staining results.
• Identify and design flexible solutions to complex digital analysis algorithms.
• Critically analyze and interpret pathology results from pre-clinical animal models.

• BS/MS in biology or related discipline with 10 years industry lab experience or a PhD with 5 years of related lab experience, preferably in industry.
• Experience with routine histology workflow (processing, embedding, sectioning, etc.).
• Familiarity with Leica or Ventana automated instruments.
• Knowledge of light microscopy, optics, and standard calibrations.
• Demonstrated familiarity with designing and troubleshooting image analysis solutions with commercially available software (e.g., Visiopharm, HALO, QuPath).
• Clinical assay development experience is favorable.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, GraphPad Prism, and statistical software. Working knowledge of R, Spotfire, or VBA is a plus.
• Strong communication skills (oral and written).

Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.