Discovery Pathologist

Your role

We are looking for a motivated and scientifically driven Discovery Pathologist to join the VivoScience unit within the Integrated DMPK & Safety department at Orion Pharma's R&D organization in Turku, Finland. This is a permanent, full-time position.

In this laboratory-based role, you will provide pathology expertise to support drug discovery and development programs across Orion's key therapy areas, oncology and pain. You will contribute to target and safety evaluation and the interpretation of pharmacological and translational studies, with a particular focus on histopathological evaluation and the biological interpretation of tissue findings.

You will collaborate closely with different stakeholders, including toxicologic pathologist and company veterinarians, to provide scientific insights that support the drug development process. The role involves the application and development of digital pathology technologies and image analysis approaches.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine pathology expertise with modern digital pathology tools in a highly collaborative environment dedicated to developing innovative medicines for patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide preclinical pathology expertise to support drug discovery, translational research and development projects.
• Perform necropsies and interpret histopathological findings of tissues from target validation, pharmacology, safety, and translational studies.
• Generate, analyse and report high-quality pathology data and scientific conclusions to support discovery projects and internal decision-making.
• Contribute to the design, monitoring and interpretation of discovery and pharmacology studies.
• Act as pathology subject matter expert in multidisciplinary project teams.
• Support the interpretation of tissue responses, target biology findings, safety assessments and pharmacological effects in discovery studies.
• Utilize and further develop pathology, digital pathology, and image analysis workflows and methodologies.
• Develop your expertise through collaboration, training and knowledge sharing, and contribute to the learning of the wider team.

What you can expect from us

At Orion Pharma, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of patient therapies. We offer:

• A chance to contribute to cutting-edge research in a company with a highly promising R&D pipeline.
• A supportive environment that values your strengths and encourages professional growth.
• Career development opportunities tailored to your expertise and aspirations.
• Hybrid work possibility according to Orion Pharma’s policy.
• Our inclusive R&D culture fosters teamwork and innovation. We take pride in working together to achieve shared goals.

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 https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with the following qualifications and competencies:

• A degree in veterinary medicine, preferably complemented by training, postgraduate studies or practical experience in veterinary or experimental pathology. Candidates completing relevant specialist training or doctoral studies are also encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of lab animal anatomy, physiology and pathology.
• Expertise in lab animal necropsies and histopathological evaluation of tissues.
• Interest in applying pathology in drug discovery and willingness to develop an understanding of pharmacology, safety, translational research and non-clinical development.
• Basic understanding of the role of non-clinical studies in drug discovery and development.
• Interest in digital pathology platforms and image analysis workflows.
• Ability to independently analyse, interpret and communicate complex pathology findings.
• Strong scientific writing, reporting and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills, scientific curiosity and a proactive approach to innovation.
• Ability to contribute to project success in a research or development environment.

Considered an advantage

• Board certification in veterinary pathology (ECVP, ACVP or equivalent).
• Experience in discovery pathology and experimental animal studies.
• Experience in animal model studies related to oncology, pain, neurology, or immunology.
• Experience with AI-based image analysis and digital pathology software platforms, such as Aiforia, QuPath or comparable systems.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry drug discovery and development.
• Experience collaborating with CROs and external pathology service providers.

How to apply

We welcome applications from both experienced pathologists and earlier-career scientists with relevant pathology training and a strong interest in developing expertise in drug discovery pathology. The responsibilities and seniority of the role can be tailored according to the successful candidate's background and experience.

Please submit your cover letter and CV with your salary request by 15th November 2026 at the latest. However, we may start interviewing suitable candidates during the application period, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

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 VivoScience unit, located in Turku and part of the Integrated DMPK & Safety department, plays a key role in this mission. Our team provides expertise in pharmacokinetics, histology, digital pathology and toxicologic pathology, supporting drug discovery and development across Orion’s strategic therapy areas, including oncology and pain. Through close collaboration with multidisciplinary project teams, we help generate the scientific insights that drive candidate selection, development decisions and future medicines.