What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director/Director, Oncology Drug Discovery position at Damora Therapeutics?
Position Summary
The organization is seeking an accomplished scientific leader to establish strategy and direction for its oncology drug discovery portfolio, with particular emphasis on myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The successful candidate will be a recognized authority on MPN biology, with an established record in the pathobiology of polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis. This position carries accountability for program outcomes and requires the judgment to prioritize among competing scientific initiatives, together with the influence to align chemistry, translational science, and clinical development around a unified strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish scientific strategy and direction for the MPN and broader oncology discovery portfolio, determining which targets, hypotheses, and modalities the organization pursues from identification through candidate nomination
- Serve as a key member of cross-functional drug discovery teams, including DMPK, non-clinical sciences, translational sciences, and clinical development.
- Represent the organization's MPN research externally, including at scientific conferences, with academic collaborators, and with prospective licensing or partnership counterparts, and communicate program strategy and associated risk to internal governance bodies and senior leadership
- Lead due diligence, competitive landscape assessment, and portfolio-prioritization initiatives, providing scientific input on the relative standing of MPN and myeloid malignancy programs within the broader portfolio
- Assume final authorship and quality accountability for scientific reports, regulatory documents, and publications produced by the team
- Monitor emerging developments in MPN biology and adjacent fields and translate relevant findings into concrete adjustments to program direction
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Oncology, Cancer Biology, Hematology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, or a related discipline, together with a minimum of six years of industry (biotechnology/pharmaceutical) drug discovery experience; alternatively, a Master's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of ten years of equivalent industry experience
- Recognized depth of knowledge in myeloproliferative neoplasms (e.g., polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, myelofibrosis)
- Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional, matrixed teams on drug discovery programs
- A track record of independently establishing program direction and rendering go/no-go decisions
- Experience representing scientific work externally, including at conferences and with partners or academic collaborators, and communicating program strategy and risk to senior leadership
- A strong record of scientific problem-solving and strategic thinking within a fast-paced research environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Background or experience in immunology as it pertains to cancer immunotherapy or the bone marrow microenvironment
- Experience with biologics (e.g., antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecifics, or related modalities)