Vice President of Biology

Job Description

About the Company

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Institutionally backed biotech focused on neuroscience and the development of novel therapeutics.

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Position Overview

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We are seeking a Senior Director or Vice President of Biology to lead therapeutic program execution

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from discovery through investigational new drug (IND) submission, with direct responsibility for the 

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biology, pharmacology, and nonclinical toxicology workstreams. This leader will own program 

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strategy and timelines and use experimental results to guide candidate selection and program 

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advancement.

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The role is centered on target biology, pharmacology, and translation. The successful candidate will 

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lead and grow an existing team of approximately seven scientists, take direct responsibility for 

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nonhuman primate (NHP) studies, and establish the assays and translational frameworks needed to 

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connect binding, internalization, exposure, and pharmacology with program decisions for peptide 

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targeting ligands used in therapeutic fusions and conjugates.

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This is a player-coach role for a scientific leader who remains close to experiment design, raw data, 

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and program decisions. This leader will carry the biology, pharmacology, and toxicology work 

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through IND submission, then work with the executive team to transition primary program leadership 

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as the program enters clinical development. In the near term this position reports directly to the 

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CEO.

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We will calibrate the title to the candidate’s experience and breadth. A Vice President candidate 

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should be ready to lead the full biology function and have the potential to expand into broader 

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Research leadership. A Senior Director candidate may bring a narrower initial scope while 

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demonstrating the ability to grow into greater responsibility.

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Key Responsibilities

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Therapeutic Program Leadership

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• Own integrated program strategies, timelines, milestones, and decision criteria from discovery 

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through IND submission, with particular accountability for biology, pharmacology, and toxicology.

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• Translate target biology and pharmacology findings into clear recommendations on study 

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design, candidate selection, program risk, and advancement.

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• Lead milestone-based program reviews, identify critical scientific questions, and support 

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evaluation of new targets by assessing biological rationale, translational feasibility, and program 

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risk.

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3210 Merryfield 

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San Diego, CA 9212

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Diaxis Therapeutics, 

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NHP and Translational Pharmacology

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• Own the design, execution, and interpretation of NHP studies, including model and endpoint 

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selection, dose and sampling strategy, direction of contract research organizations (CROs), and 

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integration of study results into program decisions.

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• Develop a credible blood-brain barrier translation strategy using the pharmacological tools 

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needed to understand binding, internalization, exposure, biodistribution, PK/PD, efficacy, and 

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tolerability.

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• Direct in vitro assay development, in vivo pharmacology, disease models, translational studies, 

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and nonclinical safety and toxicology work needed to support an IND.

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• Evaluate data across studies and modalities, resolve conflicting results, and define follow-up 

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experiments that address the most important program risks.

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Assay Strategy and Program Translation

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• Develop and apply fit-for-purpose cellular and translational assays that connect target 

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engagement, binding, internalization, trafficking, and cellular activity with program decisions.

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• Integrate biochemical, cellular, pharmacology, PK/PD, biodistribution, and in vivo data to guide 

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candidate selection, study design, and advancement decisions.

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• Translate findings from peptide targeting-ligand fusions and conjugates into clear hypotheses, 

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success criteria, and follow-up experiments for therapeutic programs.

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• Collaborate with peptide, biochemistry, conjugation, and other research colleagues to interpret 

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results, identify program risks, and define the data needed to resolve them.

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Team Leadership and Research Operations

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• Lead, develop, and expand a team of scientists across in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, 

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identifying capability gaps and adding talent as the portfolio advances.

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• Remain hands-on in experimental design, data review, and scientific troubleshooting; provide 

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practical support in the laboratory when the team needs it.

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• Set standards for experimental rigor, data quality, documentation, and reproducibility, and 

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establish a research operating model that can scale with the portfolio.

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• Set priorities and allocate internal and external resources against program milestones, including

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management of CROs, study budgets, and external scientific partners.

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IND Transition and Communication

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• Partner with the executive leadership as programs approach IND submission, retain leadership 

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of the biology, pharmacology, and toxicology work through submission, and provide the scientific

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continuity needed for an effective transition into clinical development.

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• Present program plans, data, risks, and recommendations clearly to company leadership and 

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cross-functional teams.

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• Contribute scientific expertise to intellectual property, regulatory, and partnering activities as 

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programs advance.

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3210 Merryfield 

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San Diego, CA 9212

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Diaxis Therapeutics, 

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Qualifications

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Required Experience

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• PhD in pharmacology, biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, or a related discipline.

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• Substantial biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience leading therapeutic discovery 

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and preclinical programs through candidate selection, IND-enabling work, and IND submission.

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• Direct ownership of nonhuman primate and nonclinical safety or toxicology studies, including 

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study design, CRO execution, data interpretation, and program decisions based on the results.

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• Deep pharmacology experience spanning relevant in vitro assays and in vivo models, with the 

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ability to integrate binding, internalization, exposure, biodistribution, PK/PD, efficacy, and safety 

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or tolerability data.

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• A demonstrated ability to learn new indications and disease biology quickly. Prior expertise in a 

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specific therapeutic area is not required.

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• Experience leading scientific teams and external research partners, with clear communication 

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and the judgment to make recommendations when data are incomplete or conflicting.

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• A hands-on operating style suited to an early-stage company, including direct involvement in 

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experiment design, data review, troubleshooting, and program planning.

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Additional Experience That Would Be Valuable

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• Experience with blood-brain barrier biology, CNS delivery, receptor-mediated transport, or 

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another targeted delivery system.

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• Experience with peptide discovery, engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmacology, 

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particularly peptide targeting ligands and their use in therapeutic fusions or conjugates.

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• Deep expertise in at least one relevant therapeutic modality and the ability to work across 

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biologics, fusions, conjugates, and other complex therapeutics.

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• Experience building research capabilities in an early-stage biotechnology company, with the 

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breadth and potential to assume broader Research leadership as the company grows.

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Growth Potential

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The immediate priority is internal scientific and program leadership rather than serving as the 

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external face of the company. Over time, a successful leader may expand into broader Research 

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and scientific leadership. At the Vice President level, the role may also grow to include leadership of 

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confidential scientific diligence, presentation of the company’s platform and programs, preparation of

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responses to technical questions, and potential progression toward a Chief Scientific Officer role.