Role OverviewVesalius is seeking a Senior/Executive Director-level Head of Biology to lead biological strategy and target validation across our causality-driven discovery platform. This role is responsible for translating human genetic evidence (including GWAS, rare variants, Mendelian randomization, and functional genomics) into rigorous, disease-relevant biological validation and for shaping preclinical programs across multiple therapeutic areas.
The ideal candidate brings deep target validation expertise across therapeutic modalities and disease areas, with particular strength in neurodegeneration (including Parkinson's disease), genomic perturbation tools, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to cardiovascular and immune-mediated biology. You will build and mentor a high-caliber biology team, establish standards for scientific rigor and decision-quality, and partner closely with data science, chemistry, and platform operations to advance targets toward development readiness.
Key Responsibilities- Own Vesalius's biological validation strategy from human genetics to disease-relevant cellular phenotypes and translational readouts.
- Translate genetic and functional genomics evidence into testable hypotheses, crisp experimental plans, and clear go/no-go decision points.
- Serve as research project lead for preclinical drug discovery programs (early through established preclinical stages), driving timelines, data quality, and scientific narrative.
- Lead target validation across multiple modalities (small molecules, biologics, oligonucleotides, and emerging modalities), with a modality-agnostic mindset.
- Provide subject-matter leadership in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, including immune/neuroinflammatory mechanisms and CNS-relevant cell type dysregulation.
- Oversee design, execution, and interpretation of iPSC-derived and other human-relevant phenotypic assays, including assay development, functional readouts, and orthogonal validation.
- Lead and mentor scientists focused on cell model development and biology enabling capabilities; manage direct reports and coordinate matrixed teams across programs.
- Establish standards for experimental rigor, reproducibility, and data interpretation; drive documentation and best practices to support portfolio prioritization and target nomination.
- Design and manage experiments executed with external partners (CROs and collaborators), including study design, oversight, and troubleshooting.
- Partner closely with data scientists and other subject matter experts to integrate multi-omic datasets with biology, enabling rapid learning cycles and high-quality decisions.
- Collaborate with internal tissue and cell model experts to support target validation and ongoing discovery programs.
Qualifications- PhD (or MD/PhD) in neuroscience, biology, immunology, genetics, or related field; or MS/BS with commensurate industry experience.
- 10+ years of relevant experience (industry and/or advanced academic), including leadership roles in target validation and assay/model development.
- Demonstrated success validating targets and progressing programs through a preclinical therapeutic pipeline.
- Demonstrated experience in using molecular genomic tools (e.g. genome engineering, RNAi) to interrogate biological systems.
- Proven experience working across multiple therapeutic areas, with emphasis on neurodegeneration and meaningful exposure to cardiovascular and immune biology.
- Deep expertise in human-relevant in vitro systems (e.g., iPSC-derived models), cell culture, molecular biology, genetic manipulation, and functional assay development.
- Track record of impactful scientific contributions (e.g., publications, patents, or delivered programs) and strong scientific judgment.
- Experience leading and mentoring teams, including direct people management and matrix leadership across functions.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex datasets into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
Preferred Experience- Hands-on experience with neuro-inflammation/immunology and CNS-relevant cell types (e.g., microglia, astrocytes, neurons, oligodendrocytes).
- Experience designing studies with external CROs and managing vendor relationships for complex assay execution.
- Experience building biology capabilities within a platform or biotech environment and setting organization-wide standards.
- Comfort operating in a fast-paced, ambiguity-tolerant environment with a bias toward action and learning.
