Senior Scientific Director, R&D Immunotherapy *PC 1387

Are you ready to start revolutionizing biomedical research? When you join Miltenyi Biotec, you join a family that is passionate about making a real impact – one breakthrough at a time. For over 30 years, we have played a pivotal role in the design, development, manufacture, and integration of products for sample preparation, cell separation, cell analysis, imaging, and cell culture needs. These developments have led to cutting-edge cell and gene therapies – transformative methods that mobilize the body’s own cells and genetic blueprint to tackle diseases such as cancer and autoimmune conditions. Today, our more than 18,000 solutions play a vital role in paving the way for the medicine of tomorrow.

Senior Scientific Director, R&D Immunotherapy 

Gaithersburg, MD

Your Tasks:

The Senior Scientific Director for Research and Development in Immunotherapy will play a pivotal role in leading and advancing our global immunotherapy research and development initiatives. This position requires a visionary leader with a strong scientific background in immunotherapy, particularly in the fields of cell and gene therapy, including CAR T cell therapies and rare diseases like thalassemia and sickle cell disease. The Senior Scientific Director will report directly to the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and collaborate closely with senior leadership, research teams, and key opinion leaders to develop and implement strategic research initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the immunotherapy research and development team, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic goals and objectives.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive R&D strategy to advance immunotherapy projects from discovery to clinical development.
• Oversee the design, planning, and execution of preclinical (and first-in-human) studies to support the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches, including CAR T cell therapies and cell and gene therapies for rare genetic blood disorders
• Foster a global collaborative and innovative research environment, promoting cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Identify and evaluate new research opportunities, technologies, and partnerships to enhance the organization's immunotherapy portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards in all research and development activities.
• Manage budgets, resources, and timelines effectively to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
• Present research findings, progress reports, and strategic recommendations to the CSO and executive leadership team.
• Mentor and develop scientific talent within the organization, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous learning. ·
• Address the unique challenges and opportunities associated with developing therapies for rare diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
• Interact with key opinion leaders (KOLs) around the globe to gather insights, foster collaborations, and stay abreast of the latest advancements and trends in immunotherapy and related fields.
• Undertake extensive traveling to engage with global research teams (direct reports in Gaithersburg and Bergisch Gladbach), attend international conferences, and oversee worldwide research initiatives.

Requirements: 

• Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Immunology, Oncology, or a related field with a strong emphasis on immunotherapy, cell and gene therapy; Minimum of 15 years of experience in immunotherapy research and development, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role; or a combination of education and experience.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and advancing immunotherapy projects from discovery through clinical development, including CAR T cell therapies.
• Extensive knowledge of the current trends, advancements, and challenges in the field of immunotherapy and cell and gene therapy.
• Strong experience in addressing the complexities of developing treatments for rare diseases like thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team of scientists and researchers.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collabo