About Acadia Pharmaceuticals Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.
Please note that this position is based in either San Diego, CA, or Princeton, NJ. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.
Position Summary
The Senior Medical Safety Scientist is a scientific safety expert within Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance (PV), reporting to the Executive Director, Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance, Medical Safety. This role serves as the primary scientific safety lead for assigned products across the Acadia portfolio, driving safety surveillance, signal detection and evaluation, aggregate safety assessments, and benefit-risk evaluations throughout the product lifecycle. The Senior Medical Safety Scientist collaborates closely with Safety Physicians and cross-functional stakeholders to proactively identify, evaluate, communicate, and manage safety risks while supporting regulatory submissions and safety governance activities.
Primary Responsibilities
Serve as the scientific safety lead for assigned products, providing pharmacovigilance expertise across clinical development and post-marketing activities
Conduct routine and ad hoc review of safety data from clinical trials, post-marketing sources, literature, business partners, and other relevant sources to support ongoing safety surveillance
Lead signal detection, validation, evaluation, tracking, and aggregate safety analyses, including review of case series, adverse event trends, data mining outputs, and benefit-risk assessments
Author and maintain key safety deliverables including signal assessments, safety evaluations, benefit-risk assessments, safety narratives, AOSEs, Safety Surveillance Plans (SSPs), and signal management documentation
Support aggregate safety reports, regulatory submissions, health authority responses, core safety information, Risk Management Plans (RMPs), REMS activities, and other product risk management initiatives
Provide scientific safety expertise to governance committees and cross-functional teams, including Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, Medical Writing, Epidemiology, Medical Affairs, and Quality
Review safety listings, line listings, adverse event summaries, and retrospective safety data analyses to identify and evaluate emerging safety concerns and risks
Support audits, inspections, and regulatory authority inspections by ensuring safety documentation is accurate, complete, and inspection ready while maintaining compliance with global pharmacovigilance regulations and Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP)
Maintain current knowledge of safety science methodologies, signal management practices, and evolving global regulatory requirements
Other duties as assigned
Education/Experience/Skills
PharmD, PhD, MS, MSN, MPH, RN, NP, PA, or equivalent degree from an accredited institution
7+ years of experience in drug safety, pharmacovigilance, clinical safety, or risk management within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
Experience in safety surveillance, signal detection and management, aggregate safety data review, benefit-risk assessment, and product safety evaluation
Experience authoring regulatory safety documents including signal assessments, DSURs, PBRERs, safety sections of clinical documents, aggregate reports, and health authority responses
Advanced knowledge of FDA, EU, and ICH regulations and guidelines related to pharmacovigilance, clinical trial safety monitoring, signal management, aggregate reporting, and post-marketing surveillance
Expertise in safety signal detection, validation, evaluation, and risk assessment methodologies
Experience with pharmacovigilance databases and safety systems, including Argus Safety, as well as signal detection tools
Strong knowledge of MedDRA coding conventions, safety data review methodologies, and adverse event analysis
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required
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In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.
Salary Range$145,000—$181,700 USD
What we offer US-based Employees:
Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
15+ vacation days
13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
10 days of paid sick time
Paid parental leave benefit
Tuition assistance
EEO Statement (US-based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.
It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.
As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at talentacquisition@acadia-pharm.com or 858-261-2923.
Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.
Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in the absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.