Senior/Executive Director, Translational Systems Immunology

Job Description

Job Description

Janux Therapeutics is seeking a scientifically rigorous, hands-on leader in Translational Systems Immunology to lead immunology strategy and generate key insights for the company's expanding Adaptive Immune Response Modulator (ARM) platform. This role will connect deep T-cell and B-cell biology with integrated analysis of nonclinical and clinical datasets to clarify mechanism of action, explain clinical outcomes, and identify meaningful differentiation from contemporary T-cell engagers and cell therapies.

The successful candidate will lead an immunology group spanning computational and laboratory capabilities, personally engage with complex datasets, and partner across Research, Translational Medicine, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Clinical Development, and Clinical Operations. The role may be appointed at Senior Director or Executive Director based on the candidate's scope of experience, leadership record, and demonstrated impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Translational and Systems Immunology Strategy

• Lead immunology-focused nonclinical and clinical translational strategy for ARM programs, ensuring analyses address program-critical biological and clinical questions.

• Define immune-monitoring strategies designed to deepen understanding of mechanism of action, pharmacodynamic effects, clinical activity, durability, resistance, safety, and differentiated phenotypes.

• Translate emerging science in T-cell engagers, CAR-T, autoimmune disease, immune reset, and immunotherapy into focused hypotheses and analytical plans for Janux programs.

• Lead the identification and prioritization of key non-clinical and clinical questions that can distinguish ARM biology and performance from contemporary immunotherapy approaches (e.g. TCEs, CAR-T), and collaboratively drive integrated evidence-generation strategies across translational, non-clinical, and clinical functions to establish platform differentiation.

Integrated Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Lead and perform integrated analyses of scRNA-seq, CITE-seq, TCR-seq, high-dimensional flow cytometry, phosphoflow, cytokine, proteomic, and/or spatial datasets.

• Personally, mine datasets and direct analyses performed by bioinformatics partners to identify immunological signatures, response patterns, and mechanistic insights.

• Integrate nonclinical, translational, and clinical evidence into clear conclusions and recommendations for program teams and leadership.

• Compare Janux datasets with relevant published and competitor datasets to identify differentiated mechanisms and translational opportunities.

• Investigate mechanisms associated with efficacy, durability, resistance, cytokine release syndrome, immune exhaustion, B-cell depletion, and immune reconstitution.

Team and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop laboratory scientists and computational collaborators generating and analyzing immunology data.

• Partner with Research, Translational Medicine, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory, and program leadership to align sample strategy, assays, analyses, and decision timelines.

• Communicate complex immunology findings through clear visualizations, scientific narratives, and decision-oriented presentations.

• Guide external collaborators, consultants, and CROs as needed, ensuring quality, scientific rigor, and timely delivery.

• Contribute to regulatory documents, scientific communications, and external presentations, as appropriate.

• Other duties as deemed necessary.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent advanced degree in Immunology, Systems Biology, Computational Biology, or a related scientific discipline.

• Extensive biotechnology or pharmaceutical experience in translational immunology, systems immunology, immune monitoring, or a closely related field, with level determined by scope and leadership experience.

• Deep expertise in T-cell and B-cell biology, including activation, exhaustion, memory, depletion, reconstitution, and immune-mediated disease biology.

• Demonstrated ability to integrate complex high-dimensional datasets across non-clinical and clinical studies and translate findings into program decisions.

• Hands-on proficiency with multiple immunology data types, including single-cell sequencing and high-dimensional flow cytometry; ability to independently interrogate data is required.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams and influencing in a matrixed drug-development environment.

• Excellent scientific judgment, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex data to varied audiences.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving biotechnology environment and balance strategic leadership with hands-on scientific contribution.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Experience with T-cell engagers, CAR-T or other cell therapies, bispecific biologics, autoimmune disease, hematologic malignancies, or immune-reset approaches.

• Experience with CITE-seq, TCR-seq, phosphoflow, proteomics, spatial profiling, and integrated multi-omics analysis.

• Experience designing clinical immune-monitoring strategies and supporting early clinical development.

• Working knowledge of bioinformatics workflows and experience managing bioinformaticians or external computational partners.

• Publication or presentation record demonstrating scientific leadership in translational or systems immunology.

In addition to a competitive base salary ranging from $268,500 to $316,000, we offer stock options, restricted stock units, a stock purchase plan (ESPP) and a target bonus. Janux also provides a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families, which includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental disability insurance. Relocation assistance may also be available.

 

Please note that the hourly rate range is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and internal equity.

Job Type:  Full-time

Benefits:

· Annual bonus program

· Incentive stock option plan

· 401k plan with flat non-elective employer contribution

· Comprehensive medical insurance with 90-100% employer-paid premiums

· Dental and vision insurance

· HSA, FSA, and supplemental insurance plans (life, disability, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity)

· Unlimited PTO

· Generous holiday schedule; includes summer and winter company shutdown

· Relocation assistance

Schedule:

· Monday to Friday

Work authorization:

· United States (Required)

Additional Compensation:

· Annual targeted bonus %

Work Location:

· On site (San Diego, CA)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Janux Therapeutics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment and discrimination based upon a protected category, as well as an environment free from retaliation for protected activity.

Notice to Recruiters and Third-Party Agencies

The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Janux. To protect the interests of all parties involved, Janux will only accept resumes from a recruiter once a fully-executed search agreement is in place. Agencies are hereby specifically directed not to contact Janux employees directly in an attempt to present candidates. Janux will consider any candidate for whom an Agency and/or Recruiter has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred, free of any charges or fees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.