Scientist II, Animal Mod Dev & Biosafety Off.

Scientist II, Animal Model Development and Biosafety Officer

About Tonix*

Tonix is a biopharmaceutical company, publicly traded on NASDAQ (ticker: TNXP). The Company is focused on commercializing, developing, discovering and licensing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease. Tonix markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg. Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are each indicated for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. Tonix’s development portfolio is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix’s CNS development portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. The Company’s immunology portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Tonix’s infectious disease pipeline consists of a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, which also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine platform for other infectious diseases.

Position Overview

This is a dual responsibilities position which includes model development and managing all related biosafety laboratories. For this position, we are seeking an experienced Scientist with deep expertise in novel animal model development for immunologic and infectious diseases, oncology, biological and vaccine development to advance the pipeline of novel therapeutics and vaccines in Tonix’s preclinical research portfolio. Concurrently, this position will oversee biosafety program compliance for all laboratory operations at the Research and Development Center.

The successful candidate will leverage extensive experience in in vivo research to design, implement, and validate translational animal models, integrate advanced physiological monitoring tools, and ensure the highest standards of biosafety and personnel safety in the laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Development & Research

• Lead the design, development, and standardization of innovative animal models for various disease indications such as autoimmune and oncology, supporting Tonix programs such as TNX-4200, TNX-4300, TNX-1500, TNX-1700, TNX-801, and other pipeline programs.
• Develop models that closely replicate human disease to support translational research and regulatory submissions.
• Evaluate and compare exposure and administration routes (intramuscular, intravenous, intratracheal, intrabronchial, tumor implantation, etc.) for pathogenesis, efficacy, and safety testing.
• Integrate telemetry, plethysmography, imaging, tumor growth monitoring, and other advanced physiological monitoring technologies into animal studies.
• Conduct natural history, proof-of-concept, survival, and pathogenesis studies under regulatory-compliant conditions.

Biosafety Oversight

• Serve as facility Biosafety Officer for all laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with institutional, federal, and international biosafety standards.
• Develop and maintain biosafety protocols for laboratory and animal procedures involving infectious pathogens and oncology studies.
• Lead personnel training, certification, and annual refresher programs for safe handling of infectious materials and high-containment laboratory practices.
• Participate in safety reviews, inspections, and incident investigations to promote a strong safety culture.
• Coordinate with Occupational Medical Services to ensure personnel health and readiness for high-containment work.

Qualifications

• M.S. in Biotechnology, Biology, or related life sciences discipline (Ph.D. preferred).
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in high-containment infectious disease research.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and standardizing models which mimics human diseases such as infectious diseases and other disorders of immune system,
• Proficiency in virological, microbiological, immunological, and molecular assay techniques (e.g., ELISA, plaque assays, RT-PCR, flow cytometry).
• Experience as a PI or Study Director for high-consequence pathogen research.
• Strong technical writing, presentation, and data analysis skills.

Physical & Operational Requirements

• Ability to work in high-containment environments wearing appropriate PPE.
• Lead biosafety and laboratory safety implementation and regulations.

What You Will Gain

This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to Tonix’s mission to develop innovative therapeutics, vaccines, biologics, and oncology treatments. You will lead the creation and refinement of cutting-edge animal models that drive the advancement of Tonix’s pipeline while ensuring the highest standards of biosafety and operational excellence.

Tonix provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, Tonix complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Tonix expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic, information, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Tonix does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Tonix Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Tonix employees or any other company location; Tonix is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Compensation

Annualized base salary ranges from $100,000 to $170,000 plus target incentive; actual salaries will vary and may be above or below this range commensurate with several factors including experience, education, training, location, and merit.

Tonix provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, Tonix complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Tonix expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic, information, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.