Principal Scientist, Emerging Therapies

Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Category
Full-time
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Description

The Principal Scientist will lead Emerging Therapies projects related to intellectual property (IP) development, awareness of industry trends, and technology evaluation initiatives, requiring a scientifically rigorous professional who combines deep technical expertise, business acumen, and long-term vision to inform organizational decisions. A primary focus of this position is IP, working under the direction of Emerging Therapies leadership and collaborating with IP counsel to strengthen the company's competitive position. The Principal Scientist will critically evaluate scientific literature and emerging technologies, translating complex analyses into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders across the organization. 


RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Identify, develop, and support protection of intellectual property related to SPR’s pain management solutions. Lead the writing of invention disclosures and editing of patent applications. Collaborate with IP counsel, the Head of Emerging Therapies, the Chief Scientific Officer, and other team members on patent planning, creation, submission and prosecution. 
  2. Guide team members across various departments, including R&D and Engineering, to brainstorm new ideas and generate patentable material around new innovative treatments and technologies.
  3. Support therapy innovation within a team of various departments (e.g., Engineering, Manufacturing, New Product Development, R&D, Upstream Marketing, etc.) necessary to achieve project goals. Serve as an Emerging Therapies liaison to relevant internal team meetings to identify, evaluate, and build new IP opportunities.
  4. Lead efforts to summarize and maintain ongoing awareness of industry trends. Establish processes for efficient and thorough collection and evaluation of industry trends among the R&D department and in coordination with other departments.
  5. Evaluate potential treatments and technologies to enhance SPR’s portfolio of pain management solutions. Design and conduct (leading or supporting) bench, animal, and/or human clinical studies in collaboration with other departments to evaluate the potential opportunities. 
  6. Maintain expert knowledge of all SPR products, intellectual property, and relevant scientific and clinical data, facilitating clear and effective communication with all types of users of the Company’s products.
  7. Develop new and strengthen existing relationships with subject matter experts, key opinion leaders, and external and internal team members.
  8. Responsible to work within and support the company’s formal design control and quality management system, including applicable policies and procedures.
  9. Additional Responsibilities
  • Serve as a resource for others within the R&D Department and across the Company.
  • Assist the efforts of other Departments as needed by providing R&D support.
  • Observe and/or support SPR procedures in the field.
Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Experience, Competencies, Education:

  • Minimum: MS, MEng or higher (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering or a related field. PhD in Biomedical Engineering or related field with Neurostimulation experience preferred.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience following advanced degree (e.g., in electrical stimulation medical device industry or related biomedical field). 8+ years of neuromodulation industry experience preferred.
  • Significant experience with writing and robust invention disclosures and IP planning in collaboration with cross-functional teams and IP counsel.
  • Strong clinical research background enabling critical assessment of clinical trial strategies, study outcomes, and scientific publications to inform R&D and business decisions.
  • Expertise in designing studies and test protocols to evaluate emerging therapies, including bench tests, preclinical animal studies, human clinical studies, and usability studies.
  • Experience conducting IP searches (e.g., US and international searches) and analyzing patents to assess IP landscapes across the industry. 
  • Proficient in electronic circuits; human anatomy; neuroanatomy; electrical stimulation, neuromodulation or neural engineering; and image-guided procedures, including ultrasound and fluoroscopy. Experience in device design and treatment development. Comfortable in a clinical environment, with experience observing or providing field support for medical device procedures preferred.
  • Experience interfacing with clinicians and customers to generate input driving innovations and emerging therapies.
  • Ability to assess third-party companies and technologies for emerging therapy partnerships and competitive positioning.
  • Strong communication skills to distill complex competitive analyses into executive-level summaries, with ability to provide detailed technical assessments and recommendations as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Strong self-starter, who is also an effective team player, with consensus building skills.
  • Ability to work comfortably within the R&D team to lead activities in one phase or activity and support the efforts of others in another phase or activity. 
  • Ability to work efficiently and creatively in a regulated industry.
  • Comfortable in fast-growing early-stage commercial company and willing to grow into a larger formalized organization.
  • Ability to effectively work in a “virtual environment” at a home, remote, or centrally located office and while traveling.
  • Moderate travel across the United States required. Willing to travel approximately 25% to attend and support conferences, clinical cases, and meet with key opinion leaders, customers, and internal and external team members.
  • Must be an effective communicator, good writer and be able to interact with clinicians, lead meetings, and present projects and scientific data.