Senior Scientist, Translational Sciences

Adverum Biotechnologies is a gene therapy company committed to discovering and developing novel medicines that can offer life-changing benefits to patients living with rare diseases or diseases of the eye who currently have limited or burdensome treatment options. Adverum has a robust pipeline and is leveraging its next generation adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based directed evolution platform to generate product candidates designed to provide durable efficacy by inducing sustained expression of a therapeutic protein. Our focus on the patient is supported by clinical development expertise and core capabilities in vector optimization, process development, manufacturing, and assay development.
 
The Senior Scientist will perform preclinical development activities (pharmacology and toxicology) for IND-enablement of gene therapy products in addition to facilitating and executing preclinical development plans for future pipeline products. Must possess skills with the ability to work independently in a dynamic and cross-functional company. Exceptional writing and strong communication skills are required. Position reports to the Associate Director, Preclinical Development.
What you'll do:

• Lead one or several projects to evaluate novel gene therapy candidates for pharmacological efficacy and tolerability, through both internal and outsourced research.
• Work closely with the members of Preclinical Development to evaluate gene therapy candidates in the animal models of ocular diseases, CNS disorders or inflammatory diseases.
• Effectively collaborate and communicate across a diverse scientific team including colleagues from other functional areas, to successfully progress scientific goals.
• Design and manage preclinical studies (GLP and non-GLP) for inclusion in regulatory submissions, including pharmacology, toxicology, and biodistribution studies.
• Develop safety-related issue mitigation or resolution plans and coordinate execution of the experimental plan as required.
• Write and edit preclinical study protocols and study reports.
• Prepare and edit non-clinical documents for regulatory submission.
• Monitor conduct of preclinical study with CROs.
• Develop and write manuscripts on pharmacology and safety of novel gene therapies to support product development.
• Maintains a current understanding of gene therapy field, as well as the scientific literature related to the specific drug discovery projects.

About you:

• Ph.D. degree in ophthalmology, age-related diseases, neurodegeneration, inflammation or a related field with 8+ years of industrial experience or 4+ years of postdoctoral experience, working in one of these fields. Has excellent publishing record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Deep knowledge of immune system and viral immunology is a plus.
• In-depth research experience to supervise laboratory staff, manage on-going projects, contribute to the development of translational animal models.
• Ability to plan and execute experiments independently, develop methods and assays, record and interpret data, and succinctly communicate results in oral and written form.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in design and execution of on-going research projects.

About Us
Adverum is a clinical-stage gene therapy company targeting unmet medical needs in ophthalmology and rare diseases. Adverum develops gene therapy product candidates designed to provide durable efficacy by inducing sustained expression of a therapeutic protein. Adverum’s core capabilities include clinical development, novel vector discovery and in-house manufacturing expertise, specifically in scalable process development, assay development, and current Good Manufacturing Practices quality control.

At Adverum, Inclusion and Diversity are at our core. We believe in the power of being your authentic self.  We strive to create the space which allows for everyone in our Adverum Community to not only feel safe but encouraged to speak, learn from each other, grow in their professions and be the very best versions of themselves no matter what their age, ethnic background, gender, origin, religion or sexual orientation