Senior Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology

Position Overview

Actithera is a radiopharmaceutical biotech company, co-headquartered in Oslo and Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2021. The company applies a chemistry-first approach to design next-generation radioligand therapies (RLTs) that deliver potent, tumor-focused radiation while sparing healthy tissue—guided by an isotope-agnostic and platform-enabled strategy to optimize tumor retention and therapeutic index. Actithera’s vision is rooted in precision molecular design and a deeply collaborative culture, with a shared mission to transform the lives of cancer patients through innovative science.

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Scientist to join our in vivo pharmacology team in Oslo. The Senior Scientist will work side by side in the laboratory with colleagues while also taking a leadership role in designing, executing, and interpreting in vivo pharmacology studies. This position combines experimental excellence with scientific leadership to support discovery programs, translational strategy, and IND/CTA-enabling activities, while guiding junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and execute in vivo pharmacology studies including biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, dosimetry, efficacy, tolerability, and mechanism-of-action studies for radioligand therapies.

Establish and optimize tumor models (e.g., xenograft, syngeneic, and relevant disease models) and oversee study conduct, including randomization, dosing, imaging, and endpoint assessments.

Lead study design, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting, translating in vivo findings into actionable insights for discovery and development programs.

Collaborate closely with radiochemistry, in vitro pharmacology, CMC, and translational teams to integrate in vivo data into program strategy, candidate selection, and development decisions.

Support ex vivo analyses including tissue gamma counting, autoradiography, histopathology, and biomarker-based readouts in collaboration with internal and external partners.

Mentor and support scientists and research associates in experimental execution, data analysis, and scientific rigor.

Contribute to IND/CTA-enabling activities, including study summaries, regulatory documentation, and interaction with CROs and academic collaborators.

Contribute to publications, patents, and external scientific presentations as appropriate.

Ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations, radiation safety requirements, and internal SOPs, actively promoting best practices and a safe laboratory environment.

Qualifications

PhD in pharmacology, biology, toxicology, or related discipline with 3+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience; or MSc with 6+ years of relevant industry experience.

Strong expertise in in vivo pharmacology, including certified rodent handling and in vivo dosing procedures IV (tail vein) IP, and SC injections in accordance with FELASA/CAREiN training and animal welfare regulations, as well as tumor model execution and study design for oncology programs.

Experience with animal tissue collection for preclinical studies.

Hands-on experience with blood sampling techniques in rodents and oral gavage for dosing administration is considered an advantage.

Hands-on experience with radiopharmaceuticals and demonstrated ability to work safely with radioactive materials in preclinical settings.

Experience with biodistribution, pharmacokinetic, dosimetry, and efficacy studies for radioligand therapies.

Hands-on experience with in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies, including SPECT and/or PET imaging, quantitative image analysis, and interpretation of imaging data to support pharmacokinetic, dosimetry, and efficacy assessments.

Demonstrated ability to independently design, analyze, and interpret in vivo studies and communicate findings clearly to multidisciplinary teams.

Proven track record of scientific leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration.

What We Offer

Opportunity to work at the forefront of radioligand therapeutics within a highly collaborative, science-driven team where patient impact comes first, curiosity is encouraged, expertise is shared, and people succeed together through humility, integrity, and true collaboration.

Competitive compensation and benefits package.