About this role
Who We Are
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. We are looking for great people who thrive in a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture to join the Xenon team.
What We Do
We are advancing an exciting product pipeline to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy, depression and pain. Our Phase 3 azetukalner program represents the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for multiple indications. In March 2026, we announced positive topline data from our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study of azetukalner in focal onset seizures (FOS), and we anticipate submitting a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration in the third quarter of 2026.
Our Phase 3 epilepsy program also includes a second FOS study, X-TOLE3, which would support regulatory submissions outside the U.S., and the X-ACKT study in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which would support regulatory submissions for an additional epilepsy indication. We also have multiple Phase 3 azetukalner clinical trials underway in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD), based on topline data from our Phase 2 X-NOVA clinical trial. In addition, we are proud of our strong heritage in human genetics, deep understanding of ion channel biology, and expertise in novel chemistries to enable potent, selective ion channel targeting.
We continue to advance an early-stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates, including Phase 1 studies for XEN1701 and XEN1720 (targeting Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (targeting Kv7), which are being developed for pain. Backed by a strong balance sheet to support our growth plans, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations.
About the Role
We are seeking a Research Associate 1, Biology (In Vivo) to join our team on a 12-month contract. The incumbent will provide technical in vivo support for our preclinical drug discovery projects. The Research Associate 1, Biology (In Vivo) will participate in conducting in vivo pharmacology experiments to characterize the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of compounds.
The successful candidate has experience handling and ensuring the welfare of laboratory rodents, holds high ethical standards in animal care, and is responsible and detail-oriented. We are working in an accredited research facility holding Good Animal Practices (G.A.P.) certification from the Canadian Council on Animal Care (C.C.A.C).
This position reports to the Principal Scientist, Epilepsy and will be based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada. This role is an on-site, lab-based position. On-site positions require up to five on-site days per week.
RESPONSIBILITIES
· Uphold high standards for animal care in accordance with CCAC guidelines.
· Work collaboratively with the In Vivo team to support efficacy and safety studies.
· Administer test compounds by all standard routes, as well as conduct pharmacokinetic experiments, and perform sample collection.
· Participate in and contribute to team meetings and other department activities; may present results or other key information as needed.
· Build productive internal working relationships to resolve mutual problems by collaborating on tasks and deliverables.
· Keep up to date and detailed records of experiments and data analysis within an Electronic Lab Notebook system. Ensure experiments are counter-signed.
· Ensure the laboratory environment is safe and well-organized; follow and keep up to date with Health & Safety policies.
· Act in accordance with Company policies, including, for example, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any.
· Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
· BSc degree in a Life Science field or RVT Diploma, with a minimum of 6 months of experience working with laboratory rodents.
· Dedication to high standards of animal welfare.
· Experience conducting basic in vivo procedures, including evaluating health and welfare status, animal handling and care, drug administration using various routes and tissue collection is required.
· Detail-oriented work ethic with good organizational, time management and observational skills.
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
· Excellent record keeping and communication skills.
· Ability to exercise mature judgment, discretion and initiative.
· Motivation to become proficient in operating new software programs.
Our Total Rewards program includes base salary, target bonus, and stock options, as well as a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-& long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, and life insurance programs, Employee Assistance Program, travel insurance, and retirement savings programs with company matching contributions.
Xenon encourages time to rest and re-charge through vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end-of-year company shutdown. Xenon highly values employee development and has an expanding Training, Learning & Development program, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees.