Director Research and Development

Job Summary:

Viracta Therapeutics, a precision oncology company focused on advancing new medicines for the treatment of virus-associated malignancies, is seeking a director level Research Scientist. The successful candidate will bring deep scientific and therapeutic area experience with regards to hematological and/or solid tumor biology, preclinical models of metastases, early clinical development, and experience managing external academic and industrial collaborations. Key candidate attributes include effective project level decision making, and effective communication within the department and with senior management.

This position reports to the CSO (Chief Scientific Officer) and will work with the Research team to ensure productive and successful completion of external collaboration in support of Viracta’s main clinical candidate Nana-val. In addition, the candidate will be a key part of the team that provides strategic, technical, and scientific leadership for next-generation asset development.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Create and maintain integrated project plans supporting cross-functional drug development activities for high priority, early-stage program(s)
• Leverage strong project and organizational knowledge, leadership, and facilitation skills to optimize team meetings and facilitate effective governance and decision making
• Build and leverage relationships and networks to initiate and promote scientific collaborations
• Manage collaborations to ensure project scope, resources, timelines, and budget are efficiently met
• Provide scientific leadership in areas of asset evaluation for the expansion of the Viracta pipeline
• Propose and develop innovative methods and technologies for assessment of novel therapeutic activity on viral malignancies
• Identify pharmacodynamic assays for utility in pre-clinical and clinical setting; help define PK/PD/efficacy relationships
• Manage relationships and communications externally with collaborators, academic investigators and diverse CRO’s to execute pre-clinical research to identify potential new pathways and mechanisms of action

Qualifications

• PhD in immunobiology, cancer biology, virology, biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, or related field
• 5 years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience in oncology/cancer immunotherapy
• Experience in leading successful preclinical studies supporting pre-IND filing 
• Experience in cell and animal models of oncogenesis. Additional emphasis on Immune Profiling, small/or large molecule characterization, and studies delineating the mechanism of action
• Outstanding record of accomplishment of scientific achievement and excellent soft skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills with demonstrated success in leading projects and interacting with cross functional teams
• Ability to navigate, problem-solve, execute, and lead in a dynamic, fast-paced, and evolving environment

Salary : $175,000 - $220,000