Position Summary
Arkana is seeking an experienced biotech scientist to lead its appetite suppression programs. The Program Lead will drive program strategy, experimental design, study execution, data interpretation, and decision-making across internal teams and external CROs.
The ideal candidate has drug discovery and preclinical development experience, with demonstrated ability to lead preclinical programs to successfully identify development candidates in a fast-moving biotech environment. Experience in small molecule discovery and development, metabolic disease biology, and cell-based assays is strongly preferred.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead appetite suppression programs from experimental strategy through execution, interpretation, and next-step recommendations.
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Design and interpret studies supporting pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, safety, mechanism of action, and preclinical proof of concept.
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Develop, optimize, and apply cell-based assays that inform program decisions, including hands-on bench work as the programs require.
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Build, lead, and mentor the internal scientific team, including day-to-day direction and performance management.
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Identify, select, and manage CROs and external subject matter experts and collaborators, including protocol review, study oversight, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
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Integrate cell biology, pharmacology, PK/PD, efficacy, and safety data into clear program plans and go/no-go recommendations.
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Communicate program status, key data, risks, and priorities clearly to company leadership and, as appropriate, help present program results at scientific conferences, partnering discussions, and business development meetings.
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Work closely with the scientific team to support hands-on problem solving, rapid decision-making, and effective coordination of lab-based activities.
Required Qualifications
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PhD or equivalent advanced scientific training in biology, pharmacology, physiology, metabolism, cell biology, molecular biology, or a related discipline.
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5+ years of Biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience beyond graduate school or postdoctoral training.
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Experience leading drug discovery and preclinical development programs successfully to development candidate selection.
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Experience designing and interpreting PK, PD, efficacy, and safety studies.
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Experience managing internal scientific contributors and external CROs.
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Strong scientific judgment and ability to design studies that answer program-relevant questions.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strongly Preferred Qualifications
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Experience in small molecule discovery and development.
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Hands-on experience designing, developing, optimizing, and interpreting cell-based assays.
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Experience in metabolic disease biology, including obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, liver metabolism, adipose biology, muscle metabolism, inflammation, or related cardiometabolic pathways.
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Experience with small molecule sustained release formulations.
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Experience in an early-stage biotech or startup environment.
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Experience building assays, model systems, or preclinical study plans in resource-constrained settings.
Personal Attributes
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Scientifically rigorous, practical, and execution-oriented.
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Self-motivated and comfortable operating with limited structure.
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Confident, collaborative, and team-oriented; actively seeks diverse perspectives and keeps the focus on program success rather than personal visibility.
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Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on problem solving.
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Energized by the pace, ambiguity, and opportunity of an early-stage startup.
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Comfortable in a dynamic, lab-focused environment where priorities evolve quickly and close team interaction matters.
Benefits
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Equity: Meaningful stock option grant with significant long-term upside
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Healthcare Benefit: Monthly reimbursement to help cover medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
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Paid time off: 15 days PTO plus 11 holidays
