Director of Research

About the Company  

We are a stealth biotech company co-founded by two deeply scientific Bay Area venture capital teams that have impressive track records of creating successful outcomes.  We are leveraging proprietary technology created at another co-funded portfolio company that enables us to develop patient-specific immunotherapy focused on solid tumors.    

Our approach deploys key de-risked licensed technology to address and solve existing issues of cell therapy for solid tumor patients. There are over one million patients with cancer types where cell therapies have demonstrated to be ineffective. We believe our scientific approach will create a platform which will enable us to improve the clinical outcomes for a larger proportion of these patients and their families.  

About our Community   

We are motivated by helping people.  Our ultimate goal is to create products that help patients, and their families, improve the chances of beating a solid tumor diagnosis.  Our experience has shown us that you have to be team-focused in order to be patient-focused.  Our team has been fortunate to have been involved in several regulatory approvals that provided meaningful treatment options for patients.  That experience has taught us one simple truth: this is a team sport and those that work best together have a better chance of helping patients.     

Instead of creating a ‘corporate culture’, we chose to create a community.  We believe that everyone actively chooses the communities where they feel they belong and want to see flourish.  That is our simple goal: create an environment that resonates with high character people with deep scientific and technical expertise.  Our goal is to create the best team possible.  Our people are our priority.   

Our Guiding Principles  

We established six guiding principles to help ensure we build and maintain a community of high character people who want to work together to achieve our goal.  These principles help to guide our daily interactions and serve as helpful reminders to guide our aspiration of being the best team.  

1. We act as One Team.  We care about each other; we work well together, and we always put the team first.    

1. The truth matters to us. We don’t shy away from asking ourselves the hard questions, regardless of topic.   

1. We celebrate the beauty of our diversity of experience, thought, and personality.    

1. We are respectful human beings who give each other the benefit of doubt and avoid blame.  

1. We ensure connectivity by listening to each other, building on each other’s ideas, raising concerns, and sharing information transparently.  

1. We protect our guiding principles.  

About this Role 

We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced, and technically rigorous Director of Research to join our team. The Director of Research will innovate, oversee, and progress research projects for next generation cell therapy products. The successful candidate will lead a high performing team of scientists working closely with the VP, Head of Research, and will need to collaborate internally across functions and externally with partners and CROs. This position is ideal for an individual who is driven and passionate about cell therapies and works well in a collaborative, fast-paced, one-team environment.   

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES   

• Advance Discovery and Preclinical efforts in collaboration with the VP Research and department heads; drive prioritization of key project activities and deliverables and actively track progress  
• Provide technical oversight to Research project leads and team: advise on experimental design, troubleshooting, interpretation of results, and planning next steps 
• Communicate findings within Research team and to broader organization in cross-functional meetings and other forms of communication  
• Provide subject matter expertise as the Research representative on cross-functional teams that include representatives from Process Development, Analytical Development, Bioinformatics, Translational, Clinical, Legal, and functions 
• Keep abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and competitive activities in relevant cell therapy fields to guide strategic decisions 
• Author and review sections of regulatory documents, and technical documents including study reports, protocols, electronic lab notebook entries, test methods, and SOPs  
• Work closely with industry and academic collaborators as needed 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• PhD in immunology, cell biology, biotechnology or related field 
• Minimum 10 years relevant experience in cell therapy research 
• Demonstrated expertise in design, execution, and interpretation of scientific experiments 
• Demonstrated expertise in core cell therapy experimental workflows and analytical methods: design and production of viral vectors, culture and modification of primary human T cells, multiparameter flow cytometry, cytotoxicity assays, molecular assays, assessment of secreted cytokines, etc 
• Direct experience working with CROs is desired 
• Familiarity with EMA, FDA, ICH guidance documents related to cell therapy products and viral vector materials is desired 
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading technical/functional teams and cross-functional teams to deliver   

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills 

The salary range for this position is $210,000 USD to $245,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices.    

This is an on-site role based in Camarillo, CA (greater Los Angeles area).   

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.