Question
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Associate Director Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics

3/12/2026

This role involves providing integrated pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), toxicokinetics (TK), ADME, and clinical pharmacology assessment for novel therapies across all phases of development. Key duties include serving as the clinical pharmacology lead, designing and overseeing PK/PD analyses, and overseeing bioanalysis deliverables for regulatory submissions.

Salary

140000 - 185000 USD

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for the treatment of metabolic and endocrine disorders. Viking's clinical programs include VK2735, a novel dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors for the potential treatment of various metabolic disorders. The company is evaluating its subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 in a Phase 3 obesity program that includes two Phase 3 clinical trials (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2). Concurrently, the company is evaluating an oral formulation of VK2735 in obesity. Viking is also developing VK2809, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the treatment of lipid and metabolic disorders. The compound successfully achieved both the primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2b study for the treatment of biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. In a Phase 2a trial for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elevated LDL-C, patients who received VK2809 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in LDL-C and liver fat content compared with patients who received placebo. The company's newest program is evaluating a series of internally developed dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (or DACRAs) for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders. In the rare disease space, Viking is developing VK0214, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the potential treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). In a Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with the adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) form of ALD, VK0214 was shown to be safe and well-tolerated, while driving significant reductions in plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and other lipids, as compared to placebo.
About the Role

Description

The Associate Director Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics will play a crucial role in our drug discovery and development efforts, providing integrated pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), toxicokinetics (TK), ADME and clinical pharmacology assessment of Viking’s novel therapies. This role involves managing activities and timelines, analyzing and interpreting pharmacokinetic data from preclinical studies, clinical trials and assisting with preparation and review of scientific and regulatory documents.


 Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

  • The main Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to the following: 
  • Contribute to all phases of preclinical projects (non-GLP and GLP), from in vitro ADME, in vivo PK, PK/PD, formulations and IND enabling toxicology and TK analysis, along with planning and execution of pivotal in vivo PD and disease animal models
  • Serve as the clinical pharmacology lead across multiple programs, owning the execution of clinical pharmacology plans from IND through early clinical development, including food effect, drug-drug interaction, organ impairment, and QT assessments.
  • Design and oversee PK, PK/PD, and exposure-response analyses to support dose selection, study design, and benefit-risk assessments
  • Perform non-compartmental and compartmental PK/PD analysis, modeling and simulation for preclinical, formulations and clinical studies, in collaboration with CROs, consultants, preclinical and development teams
  • Oversee bioanalysis and PK deliverables, related to protocols, study synopses, preclinical and clinical study reports, briefing books, INDs, IBs, and NDAs.
  • Work closely with Biometrics and external modeling partners to support population PK and exposure-response modeling
  • Stay current with regulatory guidance and scientific advances in clinical pharmacology, applying best practices to development programs
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education and Experience

  • Ph.D., Pharm.D., or equivalent in clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences or a related field with 6+ years of experience or 
  • BS/MS level training with 10+ year experience in clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences or a related field in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry

 Knowledge and Skills  

  • Experience designing and executing early-phase clinical studies, including healthy volunteer studies
  • Strong expertise in PK analysis and exposure-response interpretation
  • Experience in assessing impact of various factors on the PK/PD of novel therapeutics and communicating analyses and recommendations to teams
  • Familiarity with regulatory guidelines relevant to toxicology/TK, clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics 
  • Knowledge of model-informed drug development, including population PK, PK/PD modeling, and exposure-response
  • Proficiency with PK/PD modeling and statistical analysis platforms like Phoenix WinNonlin, Gastroplus, Matlab, Simulations Plus etc.
  • Excellent communication, leadership and teamwork skills

 

VIKING THERAPEUTICS

Viking Therapeutics, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Viking Therapeutics also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.


Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Viking employee by a third-party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, and assignment of specific position, will become the sole property of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral.

Key Skills
Clinical PharmacologyPharmacokineticsPharmacodynamicsToxicokineticsADMEIND EnablingDose SelectionExposure-ResponseModelingSimulationBioanalysisRegulatory DocumentsPopulation PKLeadershipTeamworkCommunication
Categories
Science & ResearchHealthcareManagement & Leadership
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