Senior Director, Translational Biology (Target Validation)

Senior Director, Translational Biology (Target Validation)

Location: Cambridge, MA

HireMinds is partnered with an amazing team of founders seeking a leader to guide cell biology and translational biology efforts in Oncology and other disease areas on their proprietary discovery platform focused on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). In this role you will be responsible for delivery of cellular validation of IDP targets, identification of PD biomarkers, and enablement of pre-clinical strategies to support translational research. You will lead delivery of cell-based drug discovery assays to enable lead optimization campaigns and cellular mechanism of action studies. You should also be versed in preclinical efforts to devise in vivo PK/PD and efficacy models to support pre-clinical proof-of-concept studies. In addition you will bring with you a lauded track record of drug-hunting experience and wealth of knowledge to this team. You will work cross-functionally as a leader in progressing programs with a team that has SBIR grant and venture funding to build a cross-disciplinary team of experts in Biology, AI, Biophysics, and Quantum chemistry. If this role sounds like the right next challenge in your career let's discuss. Contact Chris Clancy at HireMinds today to learn more and apply.

In This Role You'll Be Responsible For:

• Design and execute cell-based assays in support of target validation, lead optimization, and mechanism of action studies (MOA) of discovery projects

• Implement Translational Biology strategies to ensure demonstration of in vitro and in vivo proof of concept, and identification of pharmacodynamic and patient selection biomarkers

• Help select and manage external CROs for molecular biology, cell biology assay development, and in vivo pharmacology studies

• Seek out new assay approaches through the latest industry advancements and provide in-house expert guidance to address key questions

• Lead biology team by providing mentorship in hands-on lab demands, CRO management, and project strategies

• Assess quality of all internal and external data and maintain a culture of rigorous scientific work

• Contribute to discussions and decision making with management around target prioritization and overall scientific strategy for optimal paths forward for drug projects

• Prepare and present figures/slides/documents to team, Board of Director, and potential partners

• Provide insight to key IP strategy and portfolio development

In This Role You Will Bring:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics and/or Pharmacology with 7+ years of industry experience in Biotech or Pharma setting

• Experience in leading pre-clinical candidates in a Biotech. or Pharma setting to IND-enabling and clinical phases through proof of accomplishments in past roles

• Expertise in delivering drug discovery projects from target validation to IND-filing stages is required

• Ability to lead in-house and CRO work including: cell-based assays and molecular biology techniques including molecular cloning, qPCR, ELISA, proximity-based assays, immunoprecipitation, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays.

• Experience recruiting and leading internal and external scientific teams and guiding lab duties

• Experience with cell line engineering using RNA interference assays to modulate genes of interest, functional genomics screens, and biomarker discovery

• Extensive experience in mammalian cell biology, cell pharmacology, mechanistic biology and implementation of in vivo disease models

• Strong understanding of cancer or other disease biology and disease-relevant signaling pathways

• A curiosity and interest in drug discovery focused on intrinsically disordered proteins

• Ability to provide guidance and shape strategy for Biology in an evolving biotech environment with ability to adjust to various demands