Senior Director of Discovery Pharmacology
This is a high-impact, strategic leadership role, responsible for guiding discovery teams and shaping the scientific direction of our preclinical portfolio. The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of advancing programs from target validation to IND submission, ideally in areas such as inflammation, fibrosis, and solid tumors. Key Responsibilities
- Provide scientific and strategic leadership to discovery-stage programs, driving execution from hit identification through candidate nomination and IND submission for both biologics and small molecules.
- Develop and oversee robust in vivo and ex vivo pharmacology strategies using relevant preclinical models of inflammation, fibrosis, and solid tumors to support target validation, efficacy profiling, and translational alignment; including establishment of a new internal in vivo capability.
- Lead cross-functional discovery teams, including scientists and functional leads across in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, toxicology, translational biology, and external partners.
- Serve as a key contributor to program design and decision-making, identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies across target validation, pharmacology, PK/PD, toxicology, and other IND-enabling disciplines.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with internal teams (e.g., biology, translational science) and external CROs and academic partners to enable rapid progression of programs.
- Oversee the preparation and review of preclinical regulatory documents, including IND submissions, pre-IND briefing packages, and investigator brochures.
- Support strategic evaluation of new targets and therapeutic opportunities, including contributions to target validation strategies in alignment with corporate priorities.
- Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets, ensuring efficient and timely delivery of program milestones.
- Serve as a senior scientific leader within Engitix, contributing to portfolio strategy and mentoring scientific talent across the organization.
- Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Immunology, Oncology, Cell Biology, or related field with 10+ years of experience in drug discovery and preclinical development within biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
- Demonstrated leadership in advancing small molecule and/or biologic drug candidates from early discovery through to IND.
- Deep expertise in preclinical pharmacology, including hands-on knowledge of relevant in vivo models ofinflammation, fibrosis, and oncology. Experience of running an in vivo group under 3R's UK Home office framework would be advantageous.
- Comprehensive understanding of IND-enabling studies, including pharmacology, PK/PD, toxicology, and regulatory strategy.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional discovery teams and managing other leaders, with strong organizational and decision-making skills.
- Successful track record of working with and managing external partners, including CROs and academic collaborators.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across scientific and executive teams.
- Experience in ECM biology or related therapeutic areas is a plus.
- Be part of a motivated, dynamic and diverse team supporting cutting edge drug discovery
- State of the art offices and laboratories at the Westworks, White City
- Competitive reward package including private medical insurance, bonus, pension, and much more!
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