Director/Senior Director, Immunobiology Translational Medicine

Director/Senior Director, Immunobiology Translational Medicine
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States Translational Immunology

At KSQ Therapeutics, we seek to understand the role of every human gene in each disease, each tissue, and each cell that we study. This comprehensive approach has resulted in a massive, experimentally derived dataset that we have found to be remarkably predictive of past successes and failures in oncology and immuno-oncology product development. Utilizing this approach, we also identified a number of opportunities for the development of new medicines. As a result, we have aggressively invested in these distinct, highly validated pathways for new drug development with the expectation that the medicines we create may become the next breakthrough products for patients.

Founded in late 2015, KSQ is a preclinical-stage biotech that has rapidly advanced the field of CRISPR-enabled functional genomics, from in vitro cell autonomous screens to more complex genome-scale screens of immune cells in vivo. The company has expanded the scope of its technology to include multiple cell types and to unlock areas beyond oncology. KSQ is led by a team of accomplished industry experts in drug discovery and development. We maintain a highly collaborative culture and a lively and inquisitive environment.

Position Summary:

The Director / Senior Director in IO Cell Therapy will provide strategic leadership and oversight in bringing KSQ's CRISPR/Cas9-edited eTIL products into and through clinical development. This role will manage a team of direct reports and will work cross-functionally with teams situated within research, clinical sciences, and analytical development. Our ideal candidate thrives working at the interface between research and clinical development and in an environment that demands teamwork, scientific rigor, and technical excellence. Applicants with experience in leading translational medicine in support of gene-modified adoptive cell therapies or in related areas in a biopharma setting are encouraged to apply.

The role's key responsibilities will include the following:

• Serving as a bridge between pre-clinical and clinical functions towards the progression of KSQ's CRISPR/Cas9-edited eTIL programs into and through clinical development
• Providing scientific and operational leadership as a development team member
• Cross-functional engagement with research, clinical sciences, and analytical development
• Development of patient stratification and biomarker strategies for eTIL programs
• Development and management of clinical assays and interpretation of data
• Management of external stakeholders including vendors, collaborators, and regulators
• Providing mechanistic interpretation of clinical data through hypothesis generation and confirmation
• Direct management of a team of scientists and cross-functional engagement with other senior team members
• Represent KSQ in external settings including academic and biopharma collaborations and conferences

Requirements

• PhD in immunology or related discipline with postdoctoral fellowship
• At least 10 years of experience in a biopharmaceutical setting, depending on level
• A track-record of success in supporting the development and management of biomarker strategies and clinical assays for gene-modified adoptive cell therapies
• Experience with the analytical development of clinical assays
• Gene editing experience desired, including experience with molecular assays
• Experience managing external experts and stakeholders, including vendors
• Experience supporting IND-enabling activities, regulatory filings and other clinical development activities
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills for participating across functional groups
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and creatively as part of a fast-paced research team
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, attention to detail, and team player mentality

KSQ Therapeutics does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.