Director of Translational Biology

Your work will change lives. Including your own. 

The Impact You’ll Make

Recursion is looking for a highly collaborative, strategic, and experienced translational biology leader to guide a future-driven, technology-oriented approach to robust preclinical data packages.  We’re focused on identifying and validating innovative drugs with definitive response rates in the clinic. To achieve this goal, we must quickly understand which molecules will be effective for specific patient populations. Preclinically, this can be achieved by using biological model systems and endpoints with high clinical predictive power.  Clinically, we’ll develop high-fidelity biomarkers (patient enrichment, PD, tox, surrogate endpoints, etc.) to enable optimal, early decision-making, minimize development timelines, and maximize the success of clinical assets.

You will establish and manage translational strategies for preclinical data generation and clinical biomarker programs. This requires close collaboration with development, regulatory, and business teams. You will also seek out and leverage external opportunities to enhance internal approaches, ensuring the organization maintains a high-performance culture and shares learnings across R&D.

In this role, you will:

• Enable Recursion to be a leader in precision medicine by delivering excellence in translational research through value generation by developing the preclinical data package to generate impactful clinical development programs     
• Partner with AI and machine learning experts to develop and leverage state-of-the-art predictive and computational tools to expedite translational models and data sets. Foster a deep partnership with data science teams to align real-world evidence, big data/-Omics and advanced analytics into preclinical decision-making and program development
• Collaborate with project teams and the clinical biomarker team to identify and generate a robust biomarker strategy to support programs entering the clinic.
• Shape and implement the Recursion preclinical translational strategy, comprising model system development and validation, and translational research for key internal and partnered assets.
• Provide senior scientific, strategic, and people leadership to a team of high-potential scientists. Build a culture of scientific excellence and innovation, strategic focus, and collaboration. Develop and enable talent to attain their full potential.
• Oversee the development of clinically relevant translational models, while managing multiple projects and workstreams, and assessing workload, timelines, and budgets to ensure delivery

The Team You’ll Join 

This role will operate in collaboration with Development, Regulatory and BD&L establish translational strategies comprising preclinical data generation and clinical biomarker programs at the pipeline and project level.

The Experience You’ll Need

• Ph.D. is required. An M.Sc. is also acceptable with 15+ years of relevant experience.
• A degree in biological sciences or a related biomedical discipline is necessary.
• At least 10 years of pharmaceutical experience is required (15+ with an M.Sc.).
• Oncology experience is a must, with a deep understanding of cancer biology and early clinical development.
• Proven track record of advancing programs from preclinical discovery into clinical development, specifically supporting translational research for small molecule drugs.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary, cross-functional teams in a complex organization. Must be able to manage and prioritize multiple projects to ensure they are high-quality, on time, and on budget.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong working knowledge of preclinical drug discovery models and the ability to synthesize scientific content and strategy for senior management. Must be able to manage complex variables and uncertainty to align drug development with preclinical research.
• Communication: Excellent communication, presentation, and high-level negotiation skills. Ability to resolve conflict and effectively interact with diverse stakeholders, including clinical, regulatory, and operations teams.
• Detail-Oriented: Exceptional attention to detail, with strong planning, time management, and organizational skills.
• Translational Knowledge: Deep understanding of drug discovery and development, with a focus on discovery and early development. Experience in clinical biomarker discovery and analysis of single-cell data is a plus.

Working Location:

This is an office-base, hybrid role in our Salt Lake City / N