Director, Translational Science
- Scholar Rock Inc.
- Full time
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Posted: February 22, 2023
Company
Scholar Rock is a Phase 3, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines for the treatment of serious diseases in which signaling by protein growth factors plays a fundamental role.
Our most advanced investigational product candidate, apitegromab (SRK-015), a selective inhibitor of the activation of the growth factor myostatin in skeletal muscle, is in development for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA. Following positive results from the TOPAZ Phase 2 trial in patients with Type 2 and Type 3 SMA, we are now advancing apitegromab development through SAPPHIRE, an ongoing, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical trial. In addition, we are conducting our DRAGON Phase 1 proof-of-concept trial for SRK-181, a selective inhibitor of latent TGFβ1 activation, in patients with locally advanced and metastatic solid tumors.
By combining our deep structural insights with antibody drug discovery, Scholar Rock is creating a pipeline of novel product candidates with the potential to transform the lives of patients suffering from a wide range of serious diseases, including neuromuscular disorders, cancer, and fibrosis.
Summary of Position:
This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly collaborative team and lead the Translational Sciences function at Scholar Rock. This role will have high impact and visibility across the Scholar Rock portfolio from early discovery to clinical stage programs across multiple disease areas. In this role, you will drive translational research and clinical biomarker strategies from inception to implementation, including operational oversight and data interpretation. You will serve as the translational sciences lead for Scholar Rock’s lead clinical stage asset, apitegromab, and provide translational guidance to the SRK-181 team and preclinical programs. As the research representative on these program teams, you will work cross-functionally to integrate preclinical and clinical activities to advance our programs.
Position Responsibilities
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- Develop, implement, and execute translational research strategies to support clinical and pre-clinical programs in multiple disease areas.
- Apply expertise in drug discovery to lead overall translational research strategy for clinical and pre-clinical programs.
- Drive/oversee collaboration with program team, internal research group, external vendors, and consultants for preclinical and clinical assay development, execution, and data analysis.
- Be a key contributor to overall clinical program strategy and indication expansion research activities, and to collaborate with research team to oversee additional supportive preclinical work.
- Plan and execute pre-clinical studies to test biological hypotheses, executing on clinical biomarker evaluation, and managing CROs to achieve departmental objectives
- Lead and oversee relevant sections of clinical and regulatory documents for biomarkers.
- Communicate scientific progress to management and stakeholders, present work at both internal and external meetings as well as BD discussions.
Candidate Requirements
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- Ph.D. with 8+ years of research experience in pharmaceutical drug discovery and a proven track record in advancing drug candidates through pre-clinical development.
- Experience in developing and implementing biomarker strategies for rare diseases, particularly neuromuscular disorders, is required. Experience in immunology is a plus.
- Experience and/or working knowledge of a range of in vitro and ex vivo assay methods that can be applied to cells or biological samples obtained in preclinical or clinical settings such as multiplex IHC, LC-MS, immunoassays (e.g., ELISA and MSD). Experience with multiparameter flow cytometry, transcriptomic techniques (RNA-seq), digital pathology, or human primary immune cell assays is a plus.
- Experience working with teams in support of preparing documents and reports for internal governance committees and regulatory agencies, including INDs.
- Strong interpersonal, influencing, problem solving and negotiating skills, together with evidence of having used these to support collaboration(s); both within an organization and with external partners.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously while keeping to timelines and milestone projections.
Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.