Associate Director, Payload Engineer

GENERAL SUMMARY:

4DMT is seeking a talented and motivated Associate Director to join our team in supporting our viral drug therapy research efforts as we contribute to the future of gene therapeutics. A successful candidate will manage a small team of researchers that collaborate with Research Associates, Scientists, and Scientific Leadership to drive discovery, optimization, and characterization of payload vectors, including regulation of gene expression and therapeutic protein engineering. The position will involve close interaction with additional groups within R&D and across the company, including Bioinformatics, Translational Medicine and CMC.  Materials, assays, and information will be exchanged with these groups to achieve optimized gene expression and therapeutic protein function from plasmid and viral vectors in disease indication-appropriate tissue types. As part of this cross-functional work, employee will be expected to attend and actively engage in working group and project team meetings.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Laboratory Work & Preparation: 50% of TIME

• Performing hands-on research in the company's lab to construct and characterize therapeutic payload constructs and individual elements.
• Designing and constructing novel AAV-compatible transgenes, promoters and regulatory elements for in vitro analysis and proof-of-concept animal studies
• Designing, executing, and analyzing data using next-gen analytical techniques such as RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, etc.
• Management of design, optimization, verification, and execution of current and new assays
• Maintaining compliance to company Environmental Health and Safety policies, procedures, and practices

Management & Collaboration: 30% of TIME

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams (including CMC, human cell and disease modeling, and translational medicine) to ensure that studies are performed in a quality, timely, and scientific manner
• Writing and editing preclinical study reports and preclinical sections in support of regulatory submissions
• Effectively managing and mentoring junior level staff and acting as a resource for providing scientific expertise
• Demonstrating innovative design, development, and execution of research projects through literature review, expertise, and scientific teamwork
• Actively applying new concepts and technologies

Scientific Planning & Development: 20% of TIME

• Leveraging a strong understanding of gene therapy principles to design, assess and interpret experimental data, then using the resulting information to inform the selection of the optimal construct
• Maintaining a current understanding of preclinical and clinical gene therapy literature and methodologies; actively applying new concepts and technologies as appropriate
• Maintaining current awareness of scientific literature
• Utilizing appropriate scientific approaches to understand characteristics of gene expression and protein function to drive decisions and assess potential application of company's lead adeno-associated virus vectors and products

Other:

• Other duties as assigned, nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• D. degree; D.V.M. or M.D. also acceptable

Experience:

• 5+ years of post-doctoral experience in one of the following disciplines: Bioengineering, Virology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry or a related field
• Previous direct experience working in a pharma/biotech company required
• 3+ years working experience in preclinical research and development (adeno-associated viral vectors preferred)
• 2+ years of management of Laboratory Scientists and/or Research Associates preferred
• Experience using directed evolution / high-throughput screening techniques is preferred

Skills:

(non-technical and technical skills)

• Solid understanding of cutting-edge molecular biology and protein chemistry techniques such as high-efficient cloning, qPCR, qRT-PCR, mammalian cell culture and transfections, immunoblot, viral transduction, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry/immunohistochemistry procedures.
• Ability to multi-task and support more than one project simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a team-based environment; supportive of multiple viewpoints and approaches
• Successful demonstration of ability to work independently in designing and developing novel gene regulatory elements and engineered protein variants
• Successful demonstrated ability to work independently in designing, developing, and executing new assay methods
• Successful demonstration of ability to rigorously analyze and interpret diverse, multidisciplinary data sets
• Understanding and knowledge of key scientific software programs (including Microsoft Office, Prism, and Adobe Photoshop)
• Strong organizational skills, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills (both written and oral) with demonstrated ability to present ideas, information and data effectively via one on one discussions, team meetings, and external partnership interactions.

Minimum:

Maximum:

Bay Area Range