Sr. Scientist, Translational Medicine

Company:

Chinook Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision medicines for patients with kidney diseases. We apply our proprietary research platform to discover and develop therapies with novel mechanisms of action in key kidney disease pathways. Our development focus is on rare, serious disorders with clear unmet medical needs and well-defined clinical development opportunities. Our lead program, atrasentan, is a potent and selective, small molecule inhibitor of the endothelin A receptor that is planned to move into a phase 3 registrational trial for IgA nephropathy and a phase 2 basket trial for glomerular diseases, in 2021. We are advancing BION-1301, an anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody, in an ongoing phase 1b trial for IgA nephropathy, and CHK-336, an oral small molecule LDHA inhibitor for primary hyperoxaluria, towards trial initiation in 2021. Our pipeline also includes several additional preclinical programs at the validation and lead optimization stages, and we continue to actively evaluate business development opportunities around early and late-stage clinical assets in kidney disease. 

Chinook completed the third quarter of 2020 with over $290 million in operating capital and trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol, “KDNY.”  The company has locations in Vancouver, BC, Seattle, WA and Berkeley, CA.

Position:

Chinook Therapeutics is seeking a high-performing Sr. Scientist, Translational Medicine to guide biomarker discovery and validation efforts in the Renal Discovery and Translational Medicine group.  Reporting to the Director of Translational Medicine, the Sr. Scientist, Translational Medicine will help develop and lead execution of the biomarker strategy to support BION-1301 and other programs ranging from late stage research to Phase 3 clinical studies.  The successful candidate will play a key role in developing clinically testable hypotheses and determining approaches to identify predictive and prognostics biomarkers that inform dose selection and patient enrichment/stratification, and interrogate mechanisms of drug action, response and resistance.  This will be a visible role working in a matrixed environment across disciplines, including discovery research and clinical development teams, to advance the pipeline of precision medicines for kidney diseases by providing scientific and technical leadership. The successful candidate could work remotely from any US or Canadian location on the West Coast.

 Responsibilities include:

• Lead efforts in clinical assay development: select technologies and design fit-for-purpose assays, oversee the development, qualification and validation of bioanalytical and immune profiling assays, and support tech transfer to CROs
• Vendor management: transfer in-house methods, review assay validation plans and reports, lead technical discussions and drive actionable troubleshooting efforts, track vendor milestones aligned with study timelines
• Plan and oversee large-scale testing of clinical specimens with cross functional support
• Analyze, interpret, and present data summaries to characterize PK/PD, providing technical and strategic recommendations in context with clinical study goals and other translational/clinical data
• Represent Translational Medicine function in study management and clinical development cross-functional teams, and as subject matter expert lead value-driven and timely scientific decisions
• Support of budget planning and management
• Mentor and supervise junior staff, contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive team-focused company culture

Education, Experience, and Skills:

• PhD in Immunology, Renal Biology, or related field with 6+ years of relevant post-graduate experience including experience in industry implementing translational research efforts in the clinical setting
• Expertise in the design and execution of biomarker assays utilizing a wide range of techniques to support mechanistic studies to characterize immune phenotype and function
• Knowledge in bioanalytical assay (BA) development/validation and an understanding of current regulatory standards for BA assays
• Familiarity with clinical development documents including clinical study protocols, sample collection manuals, informed consents, and regulatory filings
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving skills, applying scientific methods to resolve potential issues
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment across multiple projects, and adapt to changing priorities
• Detail-oriented and able to prioritize workload with limited supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication

Chinook is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind.  We are committed to fostering an environment where ALL people are welcome and supported.  We respect and value different experiences and viewpoints.  We act respectfully toward one another and embrace diversity of people and ideas. Having a diverse workforce made up of team members who bring a wide variety of skills, abilities, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success. Creativity and innovation flourish in an environment of openness, inclusion, and mutual respect.