Director - Cancer Biology

Job Description:

This Director of Cancer Biology will lead small molecule discovery project(s) from target identification/validation to delivery of development candidate.   This role will provide scientific and technical expertise in efforts to understand mechanism of action (MOA) and biology rationale to guide the selection of promising targets in oncology space; will manage external FTEs or studies carried out externally to ensure the delivery of high-quality results; and will support the BD team to in evaluating in-license and partnership opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and integrate technologies that improve or expand the ability to assess the mechanism of action of novel anticancer agents
• Lead an internal/external team of scientists in designing, executing cancer biology experiments to assess mode of action and therapeutic potential of novel or validated cancer targets
• Ensure timely delivery of biology data to support key decision-making
• Identify appropriate animal models and execute pharmacology studies to support discovery project
• Actively contribute to oncology drug discovery research programs, including identification and validation of new targets
• Support identification and prioritization of high-impact research activities
• Establish and manage relationships with external research collaborators and CROs
• Ensure the high quality of research conducted externally at CROs and provide guidance to CROs to maintain high productivity
• Support BD team to identify high value in-license and collaboration opportunities

Qualifications:

REQUIRED:

• PhD with a postdoctoral training and 5 years of relevant pharma or biotech industry experience managing programs in the field of oncology; or equivalent combination of higher education, training and experience.

PREFERRED:

• Proven track record of success in oncology, or related fields demonstrated by strong publication record (first author papers in high-impact journals)
• Current knowledge of oncology research, drug discovery and development, with emphasis of DNA damage repair (DDR) and cell apoptosis pathways, as well as markers and assays to evaluate anti-tumor efficacy
• Creativity to design and engineer complex assays that address target-specific biology
• Great attention to detail with the ability to multitask
• Collaborative and team-oriented, prosses excellent oral and written communications and organizational skills, and carry a strong commitment to excellence; self-motivated, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks and deliver high-quality results under tight timelines