Your Role: In this strategic leadership role, you will establish and lead the LNP Discovery Biology group within Research Unit N&I, building a targeted delivery platform that advances differentiated therapeutic candidates across the portfolio. As a member of the RU N&I leadership team, you will define research strategy, guide discovery projects, and enable data-driven Go/No-Go decisions at research governance.
You will be accountable for the scientific vision, execution, and impact of the LNP discovery biology platform. From Day 1, you will lead in vivo CAR-T programs, with a structured expansion roadmap into antigen-specific immune cell depletion and tolerance induction, oligo/siRNA therapeutics, and additional modalities. You will develop the platform across assay development, in vivo model selection, translational readouts, and IND-enabling milestones, while ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and portfolio relevance.
You will partner closely with Preclinical Pharmacology and other R&D functions to design, execute, and interpret in vivo efficacy, mechanistic, and tolerability studies. In collaboration with RU N&I leadership, you will define and track key scientific KPIs, including delivery efficiency, target cell engagement, therapeutic index, and tolerability benchmarks, to guide portfolio prioritization and governance decisions.
You will ensure timely delivery of high-quality analyses, reports, and recommendations for project teams, governance committees, and senior management. You will communicate research goals, progress, risks, and outcomes clearly across senior and cross-functional audiences, while engaging external experts, academic collaborators, and key opinion leaders to strengthen the scientific network and access emerging technologies.
As a people leader, you will build, manage, and develop a high-performing team of scientists, providing mentorship, coaching, and performance feedback while fostering collaboration, accountability, and a drug-hunting mindset. You will also contribute to external innovation and business development activities by identifying and evaluating opportunities for collaboration, licensing, and acquisition of assets that could strengthen the N&I pipeline.
Who You AreMinimum Qualifications:- PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related life science discipline.
- MD/PhD or equivalent clinical-scientific background (a plus).
- 15+ years of progressive experience in drug discovery and preclinical R&D in pharma or biotech, including at least 5 years in a leadership role managing scientific teams.
Preferred Qualifications:- Hands-on, in-depth expertise in LNP-based delivery systems, including formulation principles, in vivo delivery optimization, and organ or cell targeting strategies.
- Direct experience with in vivo CAR-T or CAAR-T programs, with oligo/siRNA therapeutic experience considered equally important.
- Deep expertise in LNP formulation and in vivo delivery biology, including the design and interpretation of efficacy, mechanistic, and tolerability studies in relevant immunology or inflammation disease models.
- Experience in IND-enabling research and GLP study oversight.
- Biotech start-up experience, including building teams and platforms from the ground up.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Immunology & Inflammation biology as it relates to targeted delivery therapeutic strategies.
- Demonstrated record of scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications, patents, or equivalent industry contributions.
- Significant managerial experience, including the ability to lead through influence and collaborate effectively across departments.
- Experience managing global scientific teams and external collaborations.
- Ability to oversee and prioritize multiple preclinical projects and advance them in a timely manner.
- Strong analytical, strategic, operational, communication, presentation, influencing, and networking skills.
- High energy, sound judgment, and a demonstrated ability to drive innovation and solve complex problems.
