Scientist / Senior Scientist, In Vivo Cardiac Biology

About the role

Your primary mission as an In Vivo Cardiac Biology Scientist / Senior Scientist is to drive preclinical validation of novel therapeutic targets for heart failure, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). You will lead advanced in vivo heart failure rodent studies, perform and interpret advanced physiological analyses for therapeutic efficacy, and collaborate cross-functionally to turn screening hits into high-confidence drug discovery programs. You will play a direct role in one of the largest heart failure target validation studies ever conducted, significantly advancing our understanding of the disease across a wide range of biological mechanisms.

In your first month, you'll fully onboard to our heart program launching a heart failure model development study. You will demonstrate echo image acquisition and analysis mastery and efficiency.

Within three months, you'll take ownership of a large target validation cohort, executing echocardiography and managing weekly logistical in vivo assays. You will achieve flawless rat echo acquisition, master advanced dosing and blood draw techniques, and begin hands-on training in rat invasive hemodynamics.

At the six-month mark and beyond, you'll complete your initial model studies and the first round of target validation, before launching a second validation study for the HFpEF program. Ultimately, you will drive end-to-end target development programs, including small molecule proof-of-concept studies and strategic partner collaborations, while authoring and maintaining rigorous IACUC protocols.

In this role you will grow into a world-class expert in heart failure drug development, taking novel targets from initial proof of concept through drug development and ultimately to the clinic.

And You

You have a track record of success in high-agency work, consistently creating momentum rather than waiting for direction.

You want to do your best work alongside exceptional teammates and are energized by environments where people push each other to think more clearly, work at a higher standard, and grow into better versions of themselves.

You truly want to play a key role in an early-stage startup validating new targets for heart failure: a fast-paced environment full of both uncertainty and new challenges, demanding relentless resourcefulness.

You have a PhD and/or postdoctoral training in cardiac biology, cardiac physiology, or a related field (or equivalent 4+ years of industry experience leading end-to-end research projects), and you bring extensive hands-on experience independently running studies in rodent models of cardiovascular disease in an academic or industry setting.

You're demonstrably proficient in rodent echocardiography (conventional short axis and auto-LV required; apical 4-chamber view, MV inflow, and tissue Doppler preferred) and/or invasive hemodynamics like PV loops, and you bring exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail to everything you run.

You communicate clearly, both in writing and in conversation, and you take a collaborative approach to your work, with the adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

You have an intrinsic alignment with target validation and drug discovery, alongside a genuine enjoyment of small animal physiology work.

Additional valuable skills if you have them

• You have direct experience in early-stage drug development for cardiometabolic or cardiovascular diseases.
• You've mastered diverse dosing routes (IP, PO, SC, IV) and blood collection methods.
• You bring a deep mechanistic understanding of cardiovascular biology, supported by a peer-reviewed publication record.
• You have experience performing rodent survival surgeries.
• You're familiar with downstream molecular analysis (qPCR, Western Blot, or histology) to evaluate target engagement.
• You have familiarity with relevant disease models (HFpEF, HCM, cardiac amyloidosis), tail cuff blood pressure, exercise tolerance treadmill testing, tissue sectioning, or isolating primary cardiomyocytes.

The details

Gordian aims to provide everything you need to thrive. Beyond or community and science, you’ll have enough equity to be a true stakeholder in the company, competitive salary, full health/dental/vision/life insurance, 401k with match, onsite lunch paid for 3 days a week, an onsite gym, whatever vacation you need to be at your peak, remote work flexibility, and access to world-class mentors and advisors to support your professional growth. Our building is in the heart of the biotech capital of South San Francisco.