Back to jobs
New

Vice President, Neuroscience

New Haven - CT

Arvinas is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving the lives of patients suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases through the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapies that degrade disease-causing proteins. Arvinas uses its proprietary PROTAC Discovery Engine platform to engineer PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras, or PROTACs, that are designed to harness the body’s own natural protein disposal system to selectively and efficiently degrade and remove disease-causing proteins.

This differentiated approach has enabled Arvinas to build a broad pipeline of investigational therapies across oncology and neurodegenerative diseases, including ARV-102, targeting LRRK2 for neurodegenerative diseases; ARV-806, targeting KRAS G12D for mutated cancers, including pancreatic, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancers; ARV-393, targeting BCL6 for relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin Lymphoma; ARV-027, targeting the polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor, or polyQ-AR, in skeletal muscle for spinal bulbar muscular atrophy; and vepdegestrant, targeting the estrogen receptor for patients with locally advanced or metastatic ER+/HER2- breast cancer.

Building on its leadership in targeted protein degradation, Arvinas achieved a major milestone in May 2026 with the first-ever U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a PROTAC protein degrader therapy. The approval marked a significant advancement for the field and demonstrated the therapeutic potential of targeted protein degradation as a novel treatment modality. This PROTAC has been out-licensed for commercialization and further development.

#TeamArvinas is made up of passionate and curious employees, whose diverse thoughts and perspectives are highly valued. Arvinas employees embrace the freedom to pursue innovation, think creatively, and give back. They are driven by the company’s values and mission – to improve the lives of patients with serious diseases by pioneering therapies created with our revolutionary PROTAC protein degradation platform. We’re really excited about the work we’re doing inside and outside of Arvinas, and think you will be, too. But don’t just take our word for it – learn more about life at Arvinas and what employees have to say.

Arvinas is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. For more information about Arvinas, visit www.arvinas.com and connect on LinkedIn and X.

 

Position Summary 

The Vice President and Head of Neuroscience is responsible for enterprise leadership of all aspects of driving the neuroscience portfolio. This includes managing exploratory new target selection, generation of in vitro and in vivo data used to develop pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic relationships, and the identification of translational biomarkers to support optimization and clinical development of PROTAC degrader molecules for severe neurologic disorders. 

This position reports to the Chief Scientific Officer and will be located at our headquarters in New Haven, CT.

 Principal Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

  • Leads the neuroscience organization with bold new vision, clarity, purpose, and scientific excellence, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration while advancing and prioritizing high-impact programs from discovery through clinical development.
  • Builds, leads and inspires a high-performing team through mentorship and development of leadership, scientific and technical capabilities.
  • Enables the team to identify, develop, and apply relevant preclinical in vivo models to support target validation, lead identification, and optimization. Uses a deep understanding of disease and target biology to guide key scientific decisions and oversees the development of robust target engagement, pathway biology, and biomarker assays that support preclinical pharmacology and translational research.
  • Provides strategic oversight for the design, execution, and interpretation of preclinical pharmacology studies to characterize compound activity, establish pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships, and guide candidate optimization. Leverages study outcomes to support translational strategies, inform human dose projections, and advance programs toward clinical development.
  • Collaborates cross-functionally with Research, Translational Sciences, Clinical Development, Regulatory, and Biometrics leaders to define and execute integrated development strategies across the neuroscience portfolio.
  • Establishes and leads strategic collaborations with biopharma partners, key scientific investigators, contract research organizations, academic institutions, and external partners to advance translational neuroscience, induced pluripotent stem cell models, biomarker assay capabilities, including assay transfer, method development, qualification, validation, and clinical implementation.
  • Provides scientific leadership and strategic oversight for the generation, interpretation, and communication of preclinical pharmacology and translational data to support regulatory submissions, including INDs, CTAs, Investigator Brochures, clinical study protocols, study reports, and laboratory manuals.
  • Collaborates across research and development functions to define program strategy, drive execution, and accelerate pipeline progression, leveraging high-quality in vivo pharmacology, biomarker, and translational data to support critical development and portfolio decisions.
  • Provides leadership, mentorship, and talent development across the neuroscience organization, fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, accountability, and scientific excellence that enables teams to achieve their highest potential.

Qualifications

  • Established scientific reputation in neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease research, with extensive experience applying quantitative and statistical approaches to evaluate disease-relevant in vivo models and translational biomarker endpoints. Recognized through influential publications, scientific leadership, and a strong network of academic, clinical, and industry collaborators.
  • Recognized leader with a strong track record of initiating and cultivating high-value collaborations with academic thought leaders, research consortia, CROs, foundations, and patient advocacy groups to drive scientific innovation, translational research, and therapeutic development in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Leader with extensive experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams focused on preclinical pharmacology and translational medicine, leveraging disease-relevant models and human biomarker data to drive critical development decisions and advance neuroscience programs from discovery through clinical proof of concept.
  • Examples of contributions to exploratory neuroscience target selection and demonstrated ability to use in vitro pharmacology data to drive program decisions and portfolio build. 
  • Clear track record of authoring relevant sections of IND/ CTA documents and contributions to clinical protocol design. 
  • Proven track record of building, mentoring, and motivating multidisciplinary teams to deliver critical program and portfolio decisions. Demonstrated expertise in neuroscience target discovery and evaluation, leveraging in vitro pharmacology, disease biology, and translational insights to shape development strategies, prioritize assets, and advance innovative therapeutic portfolios.
  • Exceptional communicator and proactive leader with a strong work ethic, demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization and the broader neuroscience community, and a proven track record of driving accountability and results. Recognized through scientific publications, presentations, inventions, regulatory contributions, and leadership in advancing portfolio and development objectives.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer-sponsored visa sponsorship. This leadership role operates at the main office of Arvinas 3+ days/ week and in a hybrid work environment, requiring regular engagement across office, laboratory, and remote settings. The successful candidate must be able to effectively lead teams, collaborate across functions, communicate complex scientific concepts, and influence internal and external stakeholders. The role requires the ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform essential job functions, including participation in laboratory and office activities, use of computer and communication technologies, engagement in scientific and strategic discussions, and occasional travel. Compliance with laboratory safety procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and work around biological and hazardous materials, may be required.

 

 

Education 

  • Ph.D., with 15+ years of industry/ biotech leadership experience in neurobiology and pharmacology with clear contributions to clinical candidates.

Arvinas is proud to offer a competitive package of base and incentive compensation as well as a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the health, wellness and financial security of our employees and their families. Benefits include group medical, vision and dental coverage, group and supplemental life insurance, and much more. To learn more about Arvinas, please visit www.arvinas.com

Arvinas is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. 

 

 

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Arvinas? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Arvinas’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.