Director / Senior Director, Research Microbiology

Position Title: Director / Senior Director, Research Microbiology

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, Microbiome

Status: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

Location: South San Francisco, CA

About Assembly: Assembly Biosciences (NASDAQ: ASMB) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome. The HBV program is focused on advancing a new class of potent, oral core inhibitors that have the potential to increase cure rates for chronically infected patients. The microbiome program is developing novel oral live microbial biotherapeutic candidates with Assembly's fully integrated platform, including a robust process for strain identification and selection, GMP banking and production, and targeted delivery to the lower gastrointestinal tract with the GEMICEL ® technology. We pride ourselves on creating a culture and work environment that is scientifically driven, ambitious, and collaborative. We encourage diversity of thought that leads to great innovation and are looking to add to our dynamic team great people who are driven to transform the lives of patients.

We believe our Microbiome platform represents a best in class approach to developing biopharmaceutical agents from live biotherapeutic products. ABI-M201, our lead program in mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC), is currently in a phase 1b clinical trial. This program is part of a broader collaboration we established with Allergan in 2017 for gastrointestinal programs such as UC, Crohn's disease and Irritable Bowel Syndromes with potential total development and commercial milestones of up to $2.8 billion. Our internal pipeline comprises first in class or best in class live microbial biotherapeutic approaches in areas such as oncology, immune mediated and metabolic disorders, and other areas of high medical need.

Assembly is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, while the R&D headquarters is in South San Francisco. The Company also has a microbiome manufacturing facility in Groton, CT, and offices in China. Assembly has a strong balance sheet having raised approximately $166 million in July 2018. We are positioned well to build the next phase of the Company toward global development and commercialization of our innovative medicines in HBV-cure and the Microbiome.

The Director / Senior Director, Research Microbiology,will contribute to strategic program planning and execution of projects aimed at discovering and characterizing novel live microbial biotherapeutics for diseases with high unmet medical need. This position has responsibility for the scientific, technical, administrative and personnel oversight of the Microbiology Research function. The scientific focus of this role is on isolation, purification, metabolic characterization, growth, scale-up, genomic characterization and banking of bacteria. The Director, Research Microbiology, shall provide intellectual and technical excellence to assure implementation of rigorous research approaches, technical accuracy and on-time delivery of programs. This role will also spearhead innovative technology development and platform expansion aimed at delivering novel, therapeutic candidates for a wide variety of disease areas.

This position also involves regular, active communication and collaboration with other team members across the company. The Director / Senior Director, Research Microbiology will partner closely with Research Biology and Bioinformatics scientists and serve as a key liaison and partner to the CMC teams. This individual will bring a deep scientific knowledge and hands-on experience in microbiology and research methodologies for working with anaerobic bacteria. This strategic, yet hands on, role will provide strong leadership and direction for the Microbiology team in developing the Company's pipeline of programs for diseases in the microbiome space. This is a unique opportunity to have an impact on the success of a well-positioned, well-financed biotechnology company.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work with minimal oversight, be accountable for planning, resource allocation and management, technical accuracy and on-time/on-budget delivery of Microbiology research goals
• Implement best-in-class microbiology research methodologies and approaches that maximize team deliverables, drive ongoing capability, platform and process improvements
• Incorporate rigorous experimental SOP's and methodologies into project design and execution
• Efficiently coordinate operational aspects of multiple, complex projects comprising a diversity of technical and scientific stakeholders
• Responsible for the staffing, supervision, performance, engagement, career development and mentoring of research microbiology team
• Manage and oversee daily microbiology operations to ensure compliance with laboratory policies and procedures and timely delivery of goals
• Hands-on engagement with scientists on team to plan, execute and interpret laboratory experiments, assign work to scientific staff and oversee work flow, resourcing, and prioritization
• Responsible for implementation of experimental designs and data documentation processes
• Manage efficient laboratory operations, safety, training, equipment acquisition and space allocation
• Establish and manage contract research activities as needed for microbiology platform and to deliver on priority goals, collaborations and partnerships
• Contribute to intellectual property submissions and ensure appropriate records in support of concepts and reduction to practice
• Interface and collaborate closely with downstream manufacturing, quality, clinical and regulatory teams to support IND filings
• Contribute to opportunity assessment, strategic visioning, technical aspects of intellectual property, and technology assessment/diligence within scope of responsibility
• Provide requested input on capital budgets, resource requirements, financial budgets etc. during planning exercises
• Responsible for scientific and technical updates, opinions, and recommendations to the Leadership team as requested
• Provide scientific and innovative thinking with advanced level of technical skill and insight
• Serve as an internal microbiology expert and interface with the scientific community
• Maintain expertise regarding innovations and discoveries in the field of microbiology as well as the microbiome field in general, and maintain up-to date knowledge of competitors, emerging trends and technical approaches

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in microbiology, biochemistry, or a related field, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant bench research experience and at least 5 years in management
• Proven record of accomplishments and know-how in the microbiology field, particularly in the realm of working with anaerobic bacteria
• Ability to independently design, perform, troubleshoot and interpret experiments
• Strong hands-on experience with the genetics, physiology, and pathogenesis of bacteria across broad taxa
• Experienced in state-of-the-art biochemical and molecular detection techniques with a strong working knowledge of PCR, QPCR, 16s, transcriptomic and metagenomic profiling of microbes and complex samples
• Excellent communication skills-both written and verbal and ability to present complex research projects and data to leadership team in a clear, concise, organized and diplomatic manner
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Hands-on understanding of basic bioinformatic tools for analysis of microbial sequences
• High attention to detail and problem-solving
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Highly effective team and interpersonal skills with the ability to work across numerous scientific and management disciplines
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a proven ability to think strategically
• Experience with understanding and managing budgets
• Must be adept at working in a fast-paced environment, flexible and capable of executing goals and objectives to rigorous standards
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required

AAP/EEO Statement
Assembly Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.