Director, Biology (San Diego)

Director, Biology

Location: San Diego, CA (onsite)

About the job

SRT Therapeutics is seeking a Director, Biology to serve as a project team lead within Biology, supporting cross-functional drug development programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies. This role provides biological leadership to impact the portfolio strategy, ensuring programs are grounded in robust human biology, translational relevance and a clear path to differentiated clinical value. This is a highly cross-functional, hands-on role spanning target and mechanism biology, assay development, lead profiling, translational research, and IND-enabling studies. The ideal candidate has experience with both small molecule and biologics (large molecule) modalities and thrives on driving programs forward. Success in this position requires scientific depth, strategic judgment, collaborative leadership and the ability to translate complex biology into clear, actionable direction across a global matrix organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a project team lead within Biology, supporting the scientific strategy and day-to-day execution of drug development programs from target validation through IND-enabling studies.

• Design, develop, and oversee assays (biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based) to characterize target engagement, binding, and functional/mechanism-of-action activity across small molecule and biologics programs.

• Support lead profiling and candidate selection efforts, integrating data to inform go/no-go and candidate nomination decisions.

• Design and execute translational studies — including PK/PD relationships, efficacy/pharmacology models — to bridge preclinical findings into clinical development strategy.

• Help plan and ensure on-schedule IND-enabling studies (GLP toxicology, safety pharmacology, PK) in close partnership with CMC, DMPK, regulatory, and toxicology functions.

• Manage relationships with external CROs/CDMOs supporting in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, bioanalytical, and toxicology studies, ensuring quality, timelines are met.

• Represent the program on cross-functional teams, providing scientific input that informs portfolio prioritization, strategy, and risk mitigation.

• Communicate strategy, data, and recommendations clearly and proactively to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, or a related scientific discipline, with 10+ years of relevant industry experience in biotech/pharma drug discovery and development (M.S. with 15+ years, also considered).

• Demonstrated experience driving and contributing substantially to both small molecule and biologics (large molecule) drug development programs, from discovery through IND-enabling studies, as part of a cross-functional project team.

• Hands-on experience designing and executing assay development supporting drug discovery decisions (e.g., binding, functional, and cell-based assays).

• Direct experience with lead profiling and candidate nomination, integrating biology, pharmacokinetic, and safety data.

• Experience leading translational research (e.g., biomarkers, PK/PD, efficacy studies, target engagement).

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, environment, managing multiple priorities with a high degree of independence.

• Strong communication skills, with experience presenting data and recommendations to senior leadership.

• Proven track record of coordinating and obtaining buy-in from internal & external stakeholders,

• Ability to influence without direct authority, align cross-functional teams and drive results globally.

• Requires a high level of communication skills, including the development of clear agenda, meeting leadership, drawing groups to good conclusions & communicating scientific results & content across international sites & stakeholders from many parts of a complex multinational organization.

• A strong team player that brings people along through a supportive, engaged & creative way of working.

Salary range: $154k - $256k