Location: Waltham, MA
Compensation: $340,000–$400,000 + benefits
Take Immunology Science from Bench to Bedside
Helix BioSearch is partnering with a global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases. Its immunology franchise is advancing a diverse pipeline targeting autoimmune and inflammatory conditions across rheumatology, neuroimmunology and rare dermatology, aiming to deliver first-in-class and best-in-class therapies where unmet need remains high.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced physician-scientist to join as Senior Director, Immunology Translational & Clinical Research, acting as the hands-on clinical subject matter expert embedded within the research team. This is a highly visible opportunity for a clinician with a genuine bench-to-bedside mindset who wants to roll up their sleeves, shape portfolio priorities and directly influence early clinical program design, rather than advise from the sidelines.
Working closely with the Research Therapeutic Area Lead, bench scientists and colleagues across discovery research, translational medicine, clinical development and business development, you will translate mechanistic and preclinical data into therapeutic hypotheses and clinical strategy. You will be an active, day-to-day partner from early ideation through first-in-disease, helping to build a best-in-class immunology portfolio. The role is hybrid, with three days a week onsite.
Key Responsibilities
Act as the hands-on clinical subject matter expert and internal champion for one or more immunology disease areas, with a focus on rheumatology and scope across neuroimmunology and/or dermatology.
Work directly with bench scientists to translate mechanistic understanding of immune pathology into actionable therapeutic hypotheses and target identification strategies.
Partner day-to-day with the Research Therapeutic Area Lead and research team to prioritize therapeutic targets and build out clinical development plans.
Drive asset progression end-to-end from ideation through first-in-disease, working through scientific rationale, translational endpoints, patient population selection and clinical strategy alongside the project team.
Lead or co-lead target and asset evaluation, personally reviewing preclinical and clinical data packages, mechanism-of-action assessments and translational feasibility analyses.
Partner with development colleagues and study teams on IND-enabling studies, proof-of-concept study designs and Phase 1/1b protocol development.
Define disease-relevant biomarkers, pharmacodynamic readouts and patient stratification strategies for early clinical programs with discovery and translational teams.
Bridge preclinical science and clinical relevance to directly shape program design and go/no-go decisions.
Provide clinical and scientific due diligence to Business Development on in-licensing and partnering opportunities within immunology.
Contribute to Target Product Profiles (TPPs), integrated development plans and portfolio reviews in partnership with clinical, commercial and research colleagues.
Provide disease area expertise to regulatory submissions, clinical study reports and scientific communications.
Stay close to the competitive landscape, emerging science and unmet medical need, and represent the company at scientific conferences, advisory boards and KOL meetings while building an active network of thought leaders, clinical investigators and academic collaborators.
What We're Looking For
An MD or PhD with clinical experience in rheumatology or neuroimmunology.
A demonstrated bench-to-bedside research mindset, with hands-on, working-level experience translating preclinical and translational science into clinical strategy, not purely oversight.
Drug development experience gained within a biotech, pharmaceutical or academic environment.
Hands-on experience progressing immunology programs from preclinical through first-in-disease or an equivalent early clinical milestone.
Deep scientific expertise in the immunological mechanisms underpinning autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
A proven track record in evaluating preclinical and clinical assets, including target assessment, data package review and go/no-go decision-making.
Experience supporting business development due diligence and drafting Target Product Profiles.
An established, active network in drug development with recognized relationships across the rheumatology, neuroimmunology and/or dermatology communities.
The ability to synthesize complex scientific data and communicate strategy clearly to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
Why Apply?
Base Salary $340,000–$400,000 + extensive benefits package
A high-impact role with direct influence on portfolio prioritization, target assessment and early clinical program design
Opportunity for hybrid work
This is an opportunity to join a global biopharmaceutical company as it advances a diverse immunology pipeline. You’ll play a pivotal role in turning deep immunology science into first-in-class and best-in-class therapies for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
If you’re passionate about translational immunology, early clinical development and bringing new therapies to patients with rheumatic disease, we’d love to hear from you.