Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Pharmacology Team Leader to spearhead our ophthalmology drug discovery efforts. You will be responsible for driving the pharmacological and pathological research for our ophthalmic pipeline, from target identification through to the nomination of Pre-clinical Candidates (PCC). The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in ophthalmic disease biology, particularly in retinal diseases, and a proven track record in the discovery and early development of large molecule therapeutics.
Key Responsibilities
1. Scientific & Pipeline Leadership:
? Lead the selection and/or validate novel drug targets for ophthalmic indications.
? Provide expert scientific guidance on the pathophysiology of ophthalmic diseases to define and validate unmet clinical needs for new pipeline projects.
? Drive the pharmacological strategy for drug discovery projects, ensuring robust proof-of-concept data to de-risk pipeline progression.
? Oversee the selection and validation of relevant disease models (in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo) that are predictive of human disease.
? Critically evaluate data and make key go/no-go recommendations, ultimately being accountable for the scientific justification of PCC nomination.
2. Team Leadership & People Development:
? Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of PhD and MSc-level scientists.
? Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration within the team and across the organization.
? Serve as a mentor and scientific guide for Project Leaders across the portfolio, providing deep expertise in pharmacology, pathology, and translational science.
3. Project Leadership & Strategy:
? Act as the pharmacology lead on cross-functional project teams, effectively communicating strategies, progress, and challenges to senior management.
? Contribute to the overall R&D strategy, including target identification, portfolio prioritization, and long-term research directions in ophthalmology.
? Author and/or review/revision key regulatory documents, such as Investigator’s Brochures (IB) and Pre-IND packages.
4. Collaboration & External Engagement:
? Collaborate closely with other functions including Drug Discovery, CMC, DMPK, Toxicology, and Clinical Development.
? Identify, evaluate, and manage research collaborations with academic institutions, CROs, and biotech partners to augment internal capabilities.