Are you passionate about developing biological models and simulating the pharmacokinetic behavior of drugs and chemicals? Are you interested in working with a multidisciplinary team including mathematicians, biologists, and engineers? Would you like to work for a company that values dedication in the workplace, promotes learning and professional development, and appreciates the importance of work-life balance? If so, we would like to talk to you about your research interests! We are seeking an individual with demonstrated experience in the development of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models to simulate the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs and chemicals in the human body. In addition to a background in biology and mathematics, the successful candidate should have a keen interest in exposure and respiratory dosimetry of inhaled materials and a working knowledge of one or more programming languages. You will work with an outstanding multidisciplinary team to develop methods, mathematical models, and software tools to simulate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior throughout the body for a wide range of applications.

We are seeking a Staff Scientist to join the Computational Modeling and Respiratory Dosimetry (CMRD) Group in the Algorithms, Modeling, and Assessments Division on-site in Raleigh, NC or Arlington, VA. In this role, you will work with a multidisciplinary team in the design, development, and implementation of biologically-based models to simulate deposition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of inhaled drugs and chemicals in the body. The types of research problems that will be addressed include, for example, inhalation of chemical and biological agents, drugs delivered intranasally and to the lungs, and exposure to tobacco product constituents such as nicotine. The ideal candidate will have a degree in applied mathematics, quantitative biology, or toxicology and a solid background in human physiology, inhalation toxicology, and risk assessment. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in the development and application of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) or other biologically-based models, in-vitro to in-vivo extrapolation, and the use of computational toxicology techniques for extrapolation of in vitro and in vivo data for human health risk assessments. The candidate should be motivated by the desire to solve complex problems and demonstrate a keen interest in business development related to pharmacokinetic modeling. You will join an established team that is focused on developing modeling frameworks for drug delivery, inhalation toxicology, and improved risk assessment protocols for human exposure.

Staff Scientist – Pharmacokinetic / Pharmacodynamic Modeler Position Requirements:

• Due to the work you’ll perform and interactions with the intelligence community and DoD programs you will need to be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance (selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment
• PhD degree in engineering, applied mathematics, biomathematics, toxicology, or a related discipline
• Minimum of two years of experience developing PBPK/PD models for toxicological or pharmaceutical applications
• Strong quantitative background in biological modeling
• Experience programming in Matlab, R, and Python
• Demonstrated research and writing skills as evidenced by technical writing (e.g., peer-reviewed publications)
• Ability to work collaboratively with a research team and work independently with little supervision

Staff Scientist – Pharmacokinetic / Pharmacodynamic Modeler Position Preferences:

• Active DoD security clearance is desirable
• Experience in computational toxicology and risk assessment methods
• Experience in business development, marketing, and proposal/grant writing
• Programming experience in C++, Python, or Java
• Strong publication record

Who is ARA?

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 1,700 employee-owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software, and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norms. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice in what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.

To find out more about what the Algorithms, Modeling, and Assessments Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/

Experience

• 1 - 2 years: Experience developing biologically-based mathematical models
• 2 - 3 years: Experience in Matlab and R

Education

• Doctorate or better in Applied Mathematics or related field

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)