We are tackling one of the largest problems in healthcare. In autoimmune conditions, a common clinical practice includes trial-and-error approaches to determine the right therapy for a patient. At Scipher Medicine, we are developing an innovative portfolio of personalized medicine solutions in complex diseases. Scipher's platform identifies and guides physicians towards a more targeted approach to determine the best treatment for their patients, based on their patient’s own fundamental disease biology. We have a growing pipeline of products that are currently being developed and the potential to predict which therapies patients will respond to, ensuring optimal treatment is prescribed from day one.

This includes PrismRA, a precision medicine test that helps guide healthcare providers’ treatment decisions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Pipeline indications span the autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases space. Learn more about Scipher at https://www.sciphermedicine.com/.

Overview

We are seeking a Director/Sr. Director of Early Discovery for our discovery team, with a proven track record in drug discovery programs, including planning and execution of projects from the early stages of validation of development candidates in the Cardiometabolic diseases/immunology space. This individual will manage and develop both internal capabilities as well as develop effective and productive interactions with CROs. This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in advancing preclinical programs to create life-changing therapeutic opportunities for patients.

Please note that this role requires a consistent onsite presence at Scipher’s Waltham office.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy:

• Define and implement the early discovery strategy, identifying and prioritizing novel therapeutic opportunities in alignment with company goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive the discovery and optimization of early drug candidates.
• Partner with key stakeholders and external collaborators to ensure the success of the discovery pipeline.

Target Validation:

• Oversee target validation efforts, ensuring data-driven decision-making and advancing viable targets to early development stages.
• Leverage innovative technologies (e.g., RNAi, etc.) and methodologies to identify high-impact targets.

Program Management:

• Manage a portfolio of early discovery programs, provide strategic oversight, setting milestones, and ensuring timely execution.
• Drive project progress from hit identification through lead optimization, ensuring the smooth transition to preclinical development.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborate with academic and industry partners, contract research organizations (CROs), and internal stakeholders to leverage external innovation.
• Communicate project updates, scientific data, and strategic plans to senior leadership and the broader organization as requested.

Innovation & Exploration:

• Foster a culture of scientific innovation, encouraging novel approaches and risk-taking in the pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries.
• Keep abreast of advancements in drug discovery, therapeutic modalities, and technologies to incorporate innovative ideas and methodologies into discovery efforts.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry or a relevant field
• 5 to 10 years of industry experience running early discovery or pre-clinical work in Cardiometabolic/immunology diseases
• Deep understanding of cell-based and animal models in Cardiometabolic diseases
• Prior people leadership experience
• Substantive experience leading and managing projects with CROs
• Experience interfacing with academia and KOLs
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills including an extensive record of public speaking engagements such as conferences and workshops
• A proven history producing publications

Scipher is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religions, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.