Executive Director, Translational Sciences

Position Summary:

The Executive Director, Head of Translational Sciences will be responsible for leading the strategic design and operational implementation of biomarker and companion diagnostics (CDx) strategies for Terremoto’s clinical programs. This will include understanding the current oncology landscape and helping to build the company’s translational science strategy for small molecule drug development programs. This person will report to the Chief Scientific Officer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead biomarker discovery, and companion diagnostic strategies for multiple programs approaching clinical studies.
• Oversee Terremoto’s Translational Science function, balancing resource and capability needs for new and ongoing programs. Recruit and manage internal and outsourced translational science team that is responsible for: discovery of biomarkers and optimization/validation of bioassays as required for planned endpoints, implementation into clinical protocols, exploratory sample collection, storage and analyses, oversight and management of internal and outsourced specialty lab testing, biomarker data management and analyses.
• Discover, develop and validate biomarkers suitable for clinical development to support dose selection and PK/PD analyses, demonstrate proof of mechanism, identify mechanisms of resistance and support patient selection/stratification
• Coolaborate with project teams and clinical development to integrate translational research into discovery target identification and validation, indication selection and expansion, patient stratification, combination strategies, mechanism of action studies and asset differentiation.
• Incorporate translational objectives and endpoints into clinical development protocols (molecular, cellular and imaging biomarkers)
• Work closely with Discovery Research and Clinical Development to convert pre-clinical biomarker and target-coverage assays for clinical use. Utilize PK/PD and PD/activity models to support target coverage, indication and combination strategy development
• Author Translational Science sections of INDs, protocols and NDAs, and other clinical and regulatory documents

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of relevant translational sciences experience in biotech/pharma
• Experience employing molecular profiling approaches to develop oncogenic pathway biomarkers suitable for use in clinical development
• Experience collaborating with biologists and chemists to generate in vivo and ex vivo target validation data using genetic and pharmacological methods.
• Experience and record of accomplishment in cross functional teams and willingness to adopt a hands-on approach to deliver in a start-up biotech environment
• Experience with clinical trial operations and logistics for acquiring biomarker specimens
• Experience in successfully implementing, utilizing and leveraging outsourcing strategies
• Significant expertise evaluating oncology disease models
• Extensive awareness of biochemical and molecular endpoints
• Solid understanding of PKDM and pre-clinical PD biomarkers and endpoint correlations
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills
• A demonstrated ability to think logically and critically
• Ability to successfully participate in a highly-creative and enthusiastic start-up environment
• A patient-first mentality displaying courage, integrity, drive, and respect for all team members

Education:

• PhD and postdoctoral studies in the biomedical sciences                                                                    

* The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $260,000 to $280,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type, and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Terremoto Biosciences, is a multi-state employer and this salary range may not reflect positions that work only in other states.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. #LI-DNI

Salary : $260,000 - $280,000