Junior Researcher, Internship

Please note, this role is for a summer internship with flexible start / end dates.

About Arcadia Medicine:

Arcadia Medicine is a San Francisco-based startup designing a new generation of safe and effective neuropsychiatric drugs. We are engineering molecules and therapeutic regimens to improve clinical efficacy while reducing physical and psychological risks. Arcadia's current lead candidate is AM-1002 a non-racemic, non-neurotoxic version of MDMA. As we expand our pipeline, our long-term vision is to become the leading hub for mental health drug development. Our mission is to scale these treatments rapidly to get them to patients in need. We are a dynamic multidisciplinary team that moves quickly and takes pride in our science and engineering first approach.

Role summary:

We are excited to bring on a highly motivated Scientist with a passion for psychedelic medicine and working at the forefront of mental health drug design. Our ideal candidate has a strong background in neuroscience and/or psychopharmacology and a proactive approach to work. You will be at the forefront of innovative research exploring new neuropsychiatric compounds as potential mental health treatments.

Key responsibilities:

• Design and execute experiments to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of action for potential drug candidates.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data using statistical methods and present findings to internal stakeholders.
• Assist in writing research reports, scientific publications, and patent applications.
• Support the identification and validation of novel drug targets through in vitro and in vivo experimentation.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, protocols, and results in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the preclinical and/or clinical research and development processes to ensure they align with regulatory standards and scientific best practices.
• Conduct literature reviews and stay updated on current research in the fields of mental health drug tolerance and psychedelic medicine.

Arcadia is an exciting, dynamic startup. Given this, key responsibilities may develop as needs change and new exciting new opportunities emerge. Note that for internships, the work will likely focus on a subset of these responsibilities.

Additional role information:

• Summer internship with flexible start/end dates.
• Potential to return full-time following completion of studies.
• Hybrid (2-3 days/week in San Francisco office).
• Access to a lab space in San Francisco.

Background and qualifications:

• A passion for developing novel, safe, and effective treatments for mental health disorders that are inadequately addressed with existing therapeutics.
• BS/MS in Neuroscience, Biology, Psychopharmacology, Chemistry, or a related field, though we encourage anyone with relevant real-world experience to reach out.
• 2+ years of working in a relevant research lab.
• Demonstrated ability to work together in a team and independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to disseminate complex scientific information clearly.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in statistical analysis software such as Python, MATLAB, R, etc.
• Commitment to ethical research practices.
• Deep understanding of the regulatory landscape surrounding psychedelic research.

While relevant experience is important, overall, we are looking for someone who is a good fit, excited to learn, and passionate about this space. Research also suggests that people from historically marginalized backgrounds are less likely to apply if they do not meet all the criteria. Even if you do not meet all of the criteria above, if you feel you would be a good fit for the position, we would love to hear from you!

Compensation: This paid internship offers competitive compensation, commensurate with experience.

Note to potential interns: Regular feedback sessions and mentorship will be provided. We are looking for candidates who can begin on a part-time basis before the start of the summer internship and/or are able to continue working part-time after its conclusion. There is potential for the internship to evolve into a full-time position following the completion of your studies.