Vice President, Biology

For more than 25 years, Corcept has been singularly focused on the science of cortisol, a powerful hormone that when unregulated, can play a role in a broad range of diseases.

Our commercial portfolio includes treatments for hypercortisolism and oncology, and the company has discovered more than 1,000 proprietary selective cortisol modulators and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists. With advanced clinical trials in patients with hypercortisolism, solid tumors, ALS and liver disease, Corcept is unlocking the power of cortisol modulation to help address some of the most devastating diseases patients face today.

Corcept is headquartered in Redwood City, California. To learn more, visit

This newly created role is an exciting opportunity to help shape and expand Corcept’s internal scientific capabilities at a pivotal stage of growth. Reporting directly to the Chief Scientific Officer, the Vice President of Biology will lead a team of biologists, strengthen our internal research expertise, and help translate innovative science into the next generation of potential therapies.

With a broad portfolio of cortisol modulators moving through discovery and development, we are looking for a leader to own non-clinical biology end to end.

The Vice President of Biology sets non-clinical biology strategy, directs the discovery biology for our small-molecule pipeline, and serves as the scientific bridge between discovery and clinical development.

Corcept operates a lean, externally executed research model. The Vice President leads a small internal team and an external network of contract research organizations and academic collaborators.

This is a hybrid role based at our Redwood City, California headquarters, typically requiring on-site presence at least three days per week.

Responsibilities:

• Own non-clinical biology strategy across the portfolio and translate it into a research plan with defined deliverables, timelines, and budget
• Serve as the CSO’s primary partner on biology and as a senior internal authority on cortisol modulator pharmacology
• Ensure the biology team has the expertise and capacity the growing portfolio requires, through internal development, new hires, or external partners
• Direct the design of screening cascades for new cortisol modulators, including assay selection, with particular emphasis on oncology and neurology
• Collaborate with clinical pharmacology on exposure-response, biomarker, and translational modeling questions
• Oversee the planning, execution, and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies supporting lead optimization, candidate selection, and IND-enabling work
• Work with clinical development to understand clinical priorities and to design and advance the non-clinical studies required to support them
• Serve as the scientific point of contact for translational scientists and ongoing non-clinical studies
• Support medical affairs on scientific questions, data interpretation, and the accuracy of scientific communications
• Author and approve non-clinical pharmacology sections of regulatory submissions, investigator brochures, briefing documents, and responses to health authority questions
• Source, select, contract, and manage contract research vendors, including third-party staff; hold vendors to agreed quality and timelines; and allocate and oversee the non-clinical research budget
• Manage existing academic collaborations as appropriate and identify new partnerships that could enhance Corcept’s understanding of cortisol biology
• Maintain a single view of the external research program so that findings from one collaborator reach the internal team and, where appropriate, other collaborators
• Contribute to scientific publications and patents, and represent Corcept science externally

Preferred Skills, Qualifications and Technical Proficiencies:

• 15+ years in pharmaceutical or biotechnology non-clinical research, including at least five years leading a function, department, or major research group
• Demonstrated record of advancing small molecules from lead optimization through candidate selection and into clinical development; this is a small-molecule company, and the role will not suit a candidate whose experience is predominantly in biologics
• Direct oncology experience. Neurology, endocrinology, or metabolic disease experience is also an advantage
• Ownership of screening cascade design in a discovery setting
• Proven ability to plan and deliver a research program executed primarily through CROs, including vendor selection, contracting, and budget accountability
• A record of hiring, developing, and retaining scientific staff to build and scale a research function
• Ability to present complex non-clinical data to clinical, regulatory, and executive audiences, and to work effectively in a matrixed environment
• Experience interacting with medical affairs and regulatory functions
• Contribution to successful IND or NDA submissions in a non-clinical leadership capacity

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related discipline

The pay range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for this headquarters-based position is $340,000 - $375,000; the pay ultimately offered may vary based on legitimate considerations, including geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and education.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

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Corcept appreciates the commitment and hard work of all our team members as we strive to discover and develop novel treatments for patients with serious unmet medical needs.

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Corcept is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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