What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Discovery/Oncology position at Work In Biotech?
Head of Discovery/Oncology
Location: San Francisco, CA (on-site position)
Company: Stealth-mode biotechnology venture
Role Overview
A stealth-mode biotechnology company in San Francisco is seeking an experienced Head of Discovery/Oncology to lead the company’s oncology discovery and early development efforts. This leader will be responsible for advancing a portfolio of targeted radioligand therapy programs from target selection through IND and into early clinical development.
The ideal candidate has a strong track record of successfully advancing biologic-based oncology therapeutics into the clinic, with direct experience in radioligand therapies strongly preferred. Candidates with deep expertise in antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), peptide–drug conjugates (PDCs), or other targeted oncology modalities will also be highly competitive. Experience contributing to an approved oncology product or BLA is a significant plus.
This role requires a senior oncology drug hunter with a deep understanding of tumor biology, target expression, and translational oncology, combined with the leadership skills to build and scale a discovery organization in a startup environment.
----------
Key Responsibilities
Oncology Discovery & Scientific Strategy
- Define and execute the company’s oncology discovery strategy, including tumor target identification, ligand/biologic selection, and conjugation approaches for RLTs.
- Lead the discovery and optimization of tumor-targeted radioligand therapies, ensuring high selectivity, favorable biodistribution, and strong therapeutic index.
- Evaluate and prioritize oncology targets based on tumor expression, normal tissue distribution, internalization, and clinical relevance.
- Drive innovation across targeting modalities (antibodies, peptides, small molecules) and payload/linker strategies as appropriate for oncology indications.
Translational Oncology & Program Advancement
- Lead programs from early discovery through IND-enabling studies, with a strong focus on translational relevance and clinical readiness.
- Establish robust translational strategies, including biomarker development, patient selection hypotheses, and PK/PD relationships.
- Ensure preclinical models appropriately reflect human tumor biology and target expression.
- Apply prior experience advancing oncology assets into first-in-human and early clinical trials.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner closely with radiochemistry, CMC, toxicology, clinical development, regulatory, and manufacturing teams to ensure smooth progression from discovery to development.
- Contribute to regulatory strategy and interactions, including IND preparation and regulatory meetings, with emphasis on oncology-specific considerations.
- Serve as a scientific thought partner to clinical leadership on dose selection, indication selection, and combination strategies.
Team Building & Organizational Leadership
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-caliber oncology discovery organization, spanning biology, chemistry, and translational science.
- Foster a culture of scientific excellence, accountability, and urgency appropriate for an early-stage oncology company.
- Attract and develop top discovery talent as the pipeline and organization expand.
External Engagement & Scientific Leadership
- Support business development activities, including scientific diligence for oncology partnerships, collaborations, or acquisitions.
- May represent the company’s oncology discovery efforts to investors, board members, partners, and key opinion leaders.
- May present company science at external meetings and conferences as appropriate.
----------
Qualifications
Required
- PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in oncology, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or a related discipline.
- 15 years of relevant biotech or pharmaceutical experience, including senior leadership roles in oncology discovery and/or early development.
- Demonstrated success advancing biologic-based oncology therapeutics into clinical development.
- Significant experience with targeted conjugated therapeutics, including RLTs, ADCs, PDCs, or related oncology platforms.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver results in a fast-paced, resource-constrained startup environment.
Strongly Preferred
- Direct experience in radioligand therapy or radiopharmaceutical oncology programs, including target selection and radionuclide considerations.
- Track record of contributing to at least one approved oncology therapy or BLA.
- Experience working closely with regulatory agencies on oncology development programs.
Key Competencies
- Deep understanding of tumor biology, oncology targets, and clinical translation.
- Strong intuition for target selection and de-risking in oncology.
- Strategic yet hands-on leadership style.
- Excellent communication skills across scientific, clinical, and executive audiences.
----------
Leadership Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong scientific judgment and execution focus
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous, resource-constrained environments
- Collaborative, decisive, and hands-on leader
- Credible scientific voice with internal and external stakeholders
----------
Leveling & Compensation
- Title and scope commensurate with experience
- Competitive compensation package including equity participation
----------
Why Join Us
- Opportunity to shape the oncology discovery engine of a cutting-edge radioligand therapy company.
- Significant influence over scientific strategy, pipeline direction, and company growth.
- Competitive compensation and equity aligned with a leadership role.