Your role

Are you excited by the opportunity to turn science into meaningful medicines for patients? We are looking for a Senior Scientist to join Translational Pharmacology and play an important role in advancing innovative drug candidates from discovery toward clinical development. The role is primarily connected to our Oncology R&D portfolio, while also supporting Orion’s broader R&D activities, including the Pain Therapy Area. In this position, you will bring your scientific curiosity and PK/translational pharmacology expertise to multidisciplinary project teams, helping to design and interpret nonclinical and translational studies, shape dosing and development strategies, and contribute to high-quality regulatory documentation. You will work closely with experienced colleagues across disciplines, as well as with CROs and external partners, in a role where your insights can directly influence project decisions and future treatment opportunities.

You will be part of a Translational Pharmacology team, reporting to the Head of Translational Pharmacology. The position is based in Turku, Finland, with hybrid work possibilities according to Orion policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide PK and translational pharmacology expertise to R&D projects from discovery toward clinical development.
• Design, monitor, interpret and report nonclinical PK and related translational studies, including studies conducted with CROs.
• Analyze PK data and integrate exposure information with pharmacology, safety and bioanalytical results to support project decisions.
• Contribute to translational strategies, human dose projections, exposure–response assessments and regulatory documents such as IBs, IND/CTA modules and briefing packages.
• Collaborate with internal project teams, bioanalysis, pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory affairs, CROs and external partners.
• Communicate scientific conclusions and recommendations clearly in reports, presentations and cross-functional discussions.

What you can expect from us

In this role, you will have the opportunity to apply and further strengthen your expertise in translational pharmacology while working on innovative drug development projects. You will collaborate with experienced scientists across disciplines, contribute to strategic project discussions and play a meaningful role in advancing drug candidates from discovery toward clinical development.

At Orion, your work creates true impact and well-being for our customers, patients and society at large. Our culture of friendliness, respect, mutual appreciation and diversity creates a safe working environment where you can strive for excellence. We offer a wealth of career paths and development opportunities that support the development of innovative solutions and improving the quality of life.

Please visit our website to find further information about our values and Orion as an employer here.

What are we looking for?

Basic Qualifications

• PhD, PharmD or MSc in pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, pharmacokinetics, or another relevant discipline.
• ≥5 years biotech/pharma experience with drug discovery or development of biologics, antibody-based therapies or other therapeutic modalities.
• Relevant hands-on experience in pharmacology, biology, translational pharmacology, nonclinical development, PK/DMPK or clinical pharmacology.
• Experience in designing, execution, interpreting or communicating nonclinical studies or complex nonclinical datasets supporting drug discovery or development.
• Good understanding of nonclinical study design, data interpretation and how pharmacology, exposure and safety data support project decisions.
• Ability and motivation to develop further expertise in pharmacokinetics and translational pharmacology.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and communicate scientific information clearly in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with in vivo studies, preferably including nonclinical PK, pharmacology, or efficacy studies.
• Experience with PK analysis software, PK/PD modelling, PBPK or related quantitative approaches.
• Knowledge of bioanalysis, regulatory expectations, IND/CTA submissions and GxP-compliant study conduct.
• Experience coordinating CROs, external partners or academic collaborators.
• Experience contributing to regulatory documents such as Investigator’s Brochures, IND/CTA modules, nonclinical reports or patent applications.

How to apply

Please submit your application, including your CV, cover letter, and salary request by 30 September 2026. Please note that the applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the application period.

For additional information contact Mari Karimaa, Head of Translational Pharmacology tel. +358509667763, on Friday, 18 September, between 9:00 and 11:00 or on Wednesday, 23 September, between 14:00 and 15:00.

Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment. We will also carry out a security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person.

Your new team

Orion’s pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organization. We employ over 400 top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. We work globally: in Espoo and Turku in Finland, in Nottingham and Cambridge in the UK, and in Cambridge, MA, USA. Orion R&D and the Innovative Medicines business division are dedicated to making a transformation to become a global player in the pain and oncology therapy areas.

The Translational Pharmacology team is a global, multidisciplinary group of scientists providing expertise across the entire drug development continuum, from nonclinical research to late-stage clinical development and marketing authorization application. The team combines deep knowledge in clinical pharmacology, DMPK, pharmacometrics, and translational science to support informed decision-making, dose optimization, regulatory interactions, and the successful advancement of Orion's development portfolio.

Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.

We’re home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we’re proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.

Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.

We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.

About Orion

here.