Research Ophthalmologist

Job Description
Virscio is seeking a medical or veterinary ophthalmologist to perform preclinical studies related to contract research engagements and internal research and development. The position requires fluency and expertise with the language, literature, objectives and methodologies of preclinical ophthalmic research related to describing and characterizing disease pathophysiology, and evaluating the efficacy, pharmacology and safety of new therapeutics, medical devices, and drug delivery technologies. Additionally, the position will require the candidate to apply knowledge and expertise in identifying and proposing new or improved ophthalmic model development opportunities and for managing the associated characterization and validation of those models in multiple disease areas. An important component of the model development and commercialization responsibilities will include outreach to commercial and academic organizations to define unmet disease modeling needs and associated technical and scientific considerations that might influence validation and application of such models. Proficiency with associated research methods and familiarity with related ophthalmic fields is critical for both direct participation in data collection and interpretation, and effective communication of company capabilities, as well as management and oversight of project team members who may be delegated specific technical responsibilities.

Responsibilities
• Advance scientific and commercial interactions with existing ophthalmology focused sponsoring organizations, and to identify, cultivate and engage with new sponsors
• Lead the design, execution and analysis of in vivo ophthalmic translational research studies, and
generation of associated protocols and reports, for both internal R&D and sponsor-funded projects and programs
• Contribute to junior scientific staff development through scientific support and oversight
• Oversee and guide scientific practice and data quality of data managers and technical staff
• Development of new research methodologies and test systems, and optimization of existing systems
• Oversight of data generation and maintenance of protocol-specified study support materials such as datasheets, data entry spreadsheets, and protocol specific standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Establish an in-depth knowledge of facility SOPs and contribute to their maintenance
• Contribution to maintenance of facility good laboratory practices (GLPs) and AAALAC credentials
• Oversee study data and sample quality control
• Writing scientific manuscripts, grants and the technical aspects of business plans and marketing materials
• Present company research capabilities and study outcomes at relevant scientific meetings
• On-site and off-site client, inspector and vendor interactions
• Supporting the business development aspects of collaborator and client engagement

Education/Experience Requirements
• M.D. PhD, and/or D.V.M. degree with 2 or more years of experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or contract research industry or a competitive academic setting
• Minimum of 2 years of laboratory experience working with in vivo and in vitro models, preferably including mammalian translational models

Additional Requirements
• Able to live and work in St. Kitts
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to the unique challenges of fast-paced research environments
• Demonstrated experience in microsurgical and laser procedures
• Experience working in a protocol driven environment on in vivo and/or molecular models

• Firm understanding of research and development as pertains to drug development
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and comfort interacting with external sponsors
• Experience supervising junior scientists
• Experience working with and under IACUC oversight in AAALAC-accredited facilities preferred