About the Role
As Director, Pharmacokinetics, you'll shape the scientific and strategic direction of pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, bioanalysis, and translational PK/PD across our entire portfolio. Working at the intersection of discovery, nonclinical development, clinical development, and regulatory strategy, you'll generate the PK insights that move programs forward — and the decisions that matter most to patients.
You'll design pharmacokinetic strategies tailored to each stage of development, lead internal and external activities, and partner closely with cross-functional teams to guide candidate selection, clinical dose planning, and regulatory submissions — turning scientific rigor into real progress for patients.
Let’s talk about how you’ll make an impact:
- Serve as Tarsus’s expert in pharmacokinetics and DMPK, shaping strategy across every program.
- Architect and drive PK, DMPK, bioanalytical, and translational PK/PD strategies that carry programs from early discovery all the way through clinical development.
- Design, lead, and interpret pharmacokinetic, metabolism, disposition, bioanalytical, and PK/PD nonclinical studies.
- Drive human PK projections, dose and regimen selection, and interpretation of emerging clinical data.
- Select and lead CROs, laboratories, consultants, and other external partners — assuring study quality, data integrity, and timelines.
- Review study protocols, reports, and datasets, identify pharmacokinetic and drug-metabolism risks early, and chart the development strategies.
- Author and review the pharmacokinetics, bioanalytical, and related sections of regulatory documents — including INDs, CTAs, investigator brochures, and briefing documents.
- Represent Pharmacokinetics on cross-functional project teams and governance forums, translating complex science into clear, actionable recommendations leadership can act on.
- Oversee the deployment, standardization, and routine execution of Phoenix WinNonlin and related modeling platforms for data analysis.
Driving Innovation, Inside and Out:
- Partner with our Innovation Lab and Business Development team to evaluate new assets, surfacing the risks and opportunities that shape what we pursue next.
- Scout and bring in new methods, AI technologies, and external capabilities that sharpen pharmacokinetic prediction, accelerate development, and improve the quality of every program decision.
- Cultivate strong scientific relationships, inside Tarsus and out, that push development forward.
Factors for Success:
- Decision Making - Demonstrates strong decision-making by applying structured analysis to complex challenges, balancing competing priorities and long-term impacts while engaging stakeholders and driving solutions aligned with organizational goals.
- Collaboration and Team Building - Promotes collaboration by aligning diverse teams around shared goals, fostering healthy debate to advance outcomes, and building strong networks that strengthen organizational effectiveness and cross-team learning.
- Outcome Driven - Demonstrates strong outcomes focus by aligning teams around shared priorities, proactively addressing risks and dependencies, and driving cross-functional accountability to sustain progress and deliver results.
- Empowering Others - Fosters empowerment by aligning authority with accountability, developing leaders’ decision-making capability, and creating systems that support performance and growth.
- Emotional Intelligence - Foster trust and psychological safety, navigating complex interpersonal dynamics with compassion and accountability, and adapting leadership style to support others while maintaining composure under pressure.
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:
- An advanced degree in pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or a related scientific field and a minimum of 10 years relevant experience; candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree and equivalent relevant experience (> 15 yrs) are also encouraged to apply.
- Substantial industry experience in pharmacokinetics, DMPK, bioanalysis, clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics, or a related drug-development discipline.
- A track record of driving impact across drug discovery, nonclinical development, and/or clinical development programs.
- Deep, broad command of pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, bioanalysis, and how PK/PD data can sharpen development decisions.
- Experience working with external research organizations, laboratories, or other development partners.
- Experience preparing, reviewing, or contributing to scientific and regulatory documentation.
- A gift for translating complex scientific data into clear, actionable recommendations for cross-functional teams and leaders.
- Strong written, verbal, organizational, and project-management skills.
- A collaborative, proactive scientist who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
- An entrepreneurial mindset and an owner’s sense of accountability.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using Phoenix WinNonlin for modeling and simulation, including PK/PD or other quantitative approaches.
- Experience supporting regulatory interactions or submissions.
- Experience building scientific capabilities, mentoring the next generation of talent, or leading internal/external partnerships.
A Few Other Details Worth Mentioning:
- The position will be based in our beautiful Irvine office, complete with onsite gym, pool, snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals. We provide a hybrid work environment. Remote work will be considered.
- We are passionate about our culture! Our Tarsans live our values of commitment to patients, empowerment to champion innovation, and teamwork to amplify impact!
- This position reports directly to the VP, Translational Science.
- Some travel may be required — up to 30%.
At Tarsus, we understand the importance of attracting and retaining top talent. The expected base pay range for this position is $188,200- $263,600 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits. The base pay range reflects the target range for this position, but individual pay will be determined by additional factors such as job-related skills, experience and relevant education or training. Our benefits include health, dental and vision insurance benefits to ensure your well-being. We believe in work-life balance and offer generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days. For more details regarding Tarsus benefits, please visit: https://eb.alliant.com/26tarsusbenefitssnapshot.
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Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
