Head of Cancer Biology

Dewpoint Therapeutics - Boston, MA

Full-time - Senior

Hybrid - Boston, MA

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

Dewpoint Therapeutics is building a highly collaborative team to harness the power of biomolecular condensates. Together, we are leveraging a transformative shift in the understanding of cellular biology to discover and advance breakthrough therapeutics for the toughest diseases. We are searching for an experienced and visionary Head of Cancer Biology to join our innovative and fast-growing team. This leadership role will be leveled at either Senior Director or Vice President, commensurate with the experience, potential impact, and track record of the applicant. In this role, you will lead the Cancer Biology team, within a larger multi-therapeutic area Biology organization, and play a pivotal role in driving the discovery of novel oncology therapeutics. You will oversee our cancer biology research efforts, with a strong emphasis on innovation, scientific excellence, program execution, people management, employee engagement, and cross-functional collaboration across different therapeutic areas. You will be integral to the design and execution of preclinical oncology research with primary responsibility for programs from target identification to candidate nomination, including in vivo and in vitro pharmacology. The incumbent may also provide support, as a member of the multidisciplinary program team, for development-stage programs proceeding to IND and first-in-human studies. In this position, you'll be part of an energizing and supportive startup team culture, engaged in continuous learning, and part of an exceptional international team. This is a hybrid role with the expectation to spend a few days a week in the office based at our site in Boston's Seaport district. Dewpoint offers great benefits, competitive salary, and amazing perks.

Responsibilities

• Drive the strategic direction of the Cancer Biology function, ensuring alignment with the broader organizational goals and other therapeutic area strategies
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of scientists and researchers, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment
• Direct the distribution of team efforts and deadlines to ensure the seamless progress of experiments and the fulfillment of goals across various initiatives and teams dedicated to oncology
• Oversee the design, execution, and analysis of the comprehensive efforts required for successful small molecule drug candidate nomination, including target identification, assay development, hit identification, lead optimization, and in vivo pharmacology
• Serve as the primary lead for the generation of DC-enabling data packages in collaboration with chemists, biologists, DMPK, translational, and toxicology leads, ensuring successful transition of programs to IND-enabling studies and development
• Drive the design, execution, compilation, examination, and summarization of in vivo pharmacology studies for the oncology discovery portfolio. Enhance and standardize our in vivo cancer models and protocols, adhering to regulatory, ethical, and quality standards
• Promote employee engagement and professional development within the team, encouraging continuous learning and growth
• Manage the progression of oncology research projects, ensuring timely execution and delivery of key milestones
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in oncology research, particularly in the areas of cancer biology and drug discovery
• Drive innovation within the Cancer Biology team by encouraging the exploration of new models, technologies, and methodologies
• Forge and sustain collaborations with CROs, industry peers, and academic bodies as needed across the drug discovery value chain
• Assist in writing and contributing to scientific documents for regulatory filings, as well as for presentations within and outside the company

Requirements

• Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. in cancer biology, or related field of science and at least 10 years relevant experience, including small molecule discovery
• Vision and creativity to develop a sustainable oncology portfolio with a novel technology and understanding of disease biology
• Demonstrated end-to-end oncology drug discovery expertise, with a track record of successfully delivering development candidates
• Deep knowledge of oncology, including current and emerging standards of care to inform target selection, drug discovery approaches, and forward translation
• Experienced in the creation and use of diverse in vivo cancer models for efficacy and PK/PD studies
• Skilled in outsourcing studies and fostering productive relationships with CROs and/or academic collaborators
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a focus on fostering a collaborative and engaging team culture and guiding teams to successfully conduct in vivo studies, trouble shoot, and grow technically and scientifically
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed and dynamic environment, balancing multiple projects and priorities
• Strong problem-solving skills and a creative approach to overcoming research challenges

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with cell line engineering, humanized models, or surgical/ resection models
• Familiarity with regulatory guidelines and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards
• Experience with bioinformatics tools relevant to pharmacology and oncology research

Benefits

• Great benefits
• Competitive salary
• Amazing perks