Director, Research - Pharmacology

Job Description

General Summary:

The Director, Pharmacology should have an outstanding record of biologics drug development, including overseeing preclinical pharmacology studies to evaluate therapeutic candidates and ensuring strategic alignment with regulatory standards to enable advancement of therapeutic candidates toward IND submission. The candidate should be viewed as an emerging authority in an area of pharmaceutical discovery and autoimmunity, with relevant experience in preclinical model design, development, conduct, and interpretation. Versatile and multidimensional, with a superior command of knowledge in most areas relevant to autoimmunity, the Director should exhibit acumen in connecting diverse activities to address complicated project needs/goals. Additionally, the Director, Pharmacology will manage the scientic functions and coordinate the activities of a pharmacology group that is largely involved in the design, execution, and interpretation of assays that study the action of biologic therapeutic candidates on in vitro or in vivo disease biology. The Director's responsibilities include the maintenance of organizational balance across the group, as well as setting the scientic directions for personnel. The Director optimizes interdisciplinary understanding and synergy within the group and integrates activities with those of other Departments and Project Teams, to help shape cohesive pharmacology plans.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage activities of the Preclinical Pharmacology group in support of multiple projects.
• Contribute to the strategic development and advancement of the biologics-based research pipeline.
• Perform, validate, and evaluate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of therapeutic candidate molecules in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo.
• Work with leadership team to develop scientific vision and work plans for autoimmunity programs.
• Work closely with other functional groups to ensure alignment and adherence to timelines.
• Contribute to the development of annual research budgets and planning of research collaborations.
• Responsible for the scientific and career growth of employees within Preclinical Pharmacology.
• Mentor team members on scientic and ethical development, motivate personnel and resolve conicts.
• Ensure personnel goal setting is effectively linked to corporate and Department goals.
• Monitor the activities of staff and provide them insightful guidance to succeed and grow.
• Construct draft budgets and manage execution of approved budgets and hiring for the group.
• Oversee activities of staff and adapt personnel deployment to changing priorities, to ensure key goals of all Projects are met on time.
• Help dene scientic direction and champion technological innovation for the group.
• Direct effective, timely, and ethical publication and patenting activities for the group.
• Oversee effective management of Group's CRO contracts and/or external scientic collaborations.
• Maintain the excellence of standards for structure and interpretation of all laboratory records, electronic notebook/database entries, internal reports, patents, and external communications from the group.
• Communicate company objectives to the group and availability of group resources and methods to Project Team(s), in a clear and timely manner, and develop abilities of others in this role.
• Lead preparation of lucid and thorough scientic reports for all other branches and levels of the organization and its collaborators, present expertly when called upon, and develop abilities of others in this role.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Established prowess integrating the activities of distinct functional groups across multiple projects. Possesses advanced knowledge of immunology and relevant scientic disciplines, including those important to the drug development process, which lead to the successful identification, validation, and mechanistic investigation of the action of biologics on in vitro and in vivo disease biology.
• A broad working knowledge of fundamental pharmacology principles.
• Familiarity with IACUC requirements and experience with successful generation and approval of study protocols.
• Comfort & flexibility operating in lab, office, and vivarium environments.
• Experienced mentor who effectively infuses condence and team commitment.
• Exhibits a record of excellent operational and ethical standards, and team improvement.
• Scientifically diverse, authoritative, and effective communicator.
• Possesses greater knowledge of drug development programs and a keen awareness of issues therein.
• High distinction achieved resolving important organizational problems and/or infusing innovation.

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in Immunology or a closely related scientific discipline, and 9 years of relevant post-doctoral employment experience, ideally within a biologics drug development research environment, or
• Master's degree (or equivalent degree) and 12 years of relevant employment experience, or
• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent degree) and 15 years of relevant employment experience

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Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com