Director/Associate Director, Immunology Discovery (...

Simcere Pharmaceutical is expanding its North American R&D footprint with a growing drug discovery team based in Cambridge, MA. We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Director or Associate Director for a leadership role in our Immunology Discovery group. This strategic position is responsible for guiding the early discovery portfolio, driving innovation, and delivering high-quality preclinical candidates across multiple autoimmune and inflammatory disease areas. The successful candidate will lead a team of talented bench scientists and collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to accelerate discovery programs from target validation through IND-enabling studies.Key Responsibilities:Guide and grow the Immunology Early Discovery team to advance programs across respiratory, dermatologic, rheumatologic, and gastrointestinal indications.Define and refine scientific strategy and experimental priorities in alignment with portfolio goals and corporate vision.Design, execute, and oversee critical experiments to enable key decision points (e.g., Go/No-Go) and advance candidate molecules through the discovery pipeline.Serve as a scientific leader and mentor to junior and senior scientists, fostering a high-performance and inclusive team culture.Collaborate closely with cross-functional groups including Medicinal Biologics and Chemistry, Translational Medicine, Preclinical Development, and Clinical teams to ensure seamless program integration.Support strategic partnerships and drive scientific due diligence for external innovation opportunities in collaboration with Business Development, IP, and Legal teams.Represent Simcere at scientific conferences, advisory boards, and partnering meetings to enhance visibility and build strategic networks.Establish and manage collaborations with top academic institutions and external research organizations.QualificationsPhD with 6+ years, MS with 12+ years, or BS with 14+ years of relevant experience in immunology, pharmacology, or a related discipline, ideally within a biotech or pharmaceutical R&D setting. Deep expertise in immunology and autoimmune disease biology with a strong publication record and demonstrated impact in advancing therapeutic programs. Proven leadership in early-stage drug discovery, including target validation, in vivo/ex vivo pharmacology, and IND-enabling studies. Track record of managing, mentoring, and inspiring high-performing scientific teams. Experience with biologics, small molecules, or RNA-based therapeutics is highly desirable. Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence and collaborate across a matrixed environment. Demonstrated ability to think strategically, adapt to change, and drive innovation.What Simcere Offers:A culture fueled by innovation, placing science at the heart of our operationsA vibrant, diverse team of seasoned scientists dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in human healthA competitive compensation and benefit package, including salary, comprehensive health, dental, vision coverage, long and short-term disability and 401k match

Created: 2025-09-24