Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) Programme Leader

Genome Therapeutics; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Genome Therapeutics in Central Cambridge is seeking a highly driven, multidisciplinary drug discovery scientist to lead ADC drug development from exploratory biology through DC nomination and formal development candidate selection. You will shape strategy, manage external CRO collaborations, and collaborate with translational and clinical teams to optimize safety and efficacy.

The role requires a Ph.D. or equivalent in relevant fields and 10+ years in biopharma, with at least 5 years in ADC or

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic/Bioorganic Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or Molecular/Cellular Biology.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute operational roadmaps for the early ADC discovery portfolio, establishing target product profiles and go/no-go screening cascades.
• Advance programs from exploratory biology through lead optimisation to formal DC selection.
• Partner with Translational Oncology and Clinical Development to ensure pipeline molecules align with clinical positioning and biomarker strategies.
• Lead the strategic selection and optimisation of payloads, linkers, and stabilising architectures; oversee conjugation chemistry to ensure homogeneity and manufacturability.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Biopharma experience

ADC discovery

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent

Job description

Department:Early Oncology Discovery / Biotherapeutics

Reports To:Head of Research and Development

Location:Central Cambridge; full-time onsite

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly driven, multidisciplinary drug discovery scientist to lead ADC drug development at GTx. The successful candidate will bring a documented track record of novel ADC discovery and pre-clinical study proposal/execution through lead optimisation to formal development candidate (DC) selection.

Key Responsibilities

1. Scientific Strategy & Programme Execution

• Design and execute operational roadmaps for the early ADC discovery portfolio, establishing target product profiles and rigorous, empirical go/no-go screening cascades.
• Accountability for advancing programs from exploratory biology through lead optimisation to formal DC selection.
• Partner with Translational Oncology and Clinical Development teams to ensure pipeline molecules align with clinical positioning and biomarker strategies.

2. Platform & Conjugation Chemistry Optimisation

• Lead the strategic selection and optimisation of novel payloads, cleavable/non-cleavable linkers, and stabilising architectures.
• Direct the deployment of conjugation chemistries to ensure homogeneity, stability, and manufacturability.
• Oversee physicochemical profiling to systematically identify and remove liabilities related to hydrophobicity, plasma instability, premature payload de-conjugation, and high non-specific clearance.

3. Target Biology Integration

• Drive the biological screening cascades, including receptor occupancy assays, target-dependent internalisation assays,in vitrocytotoxicity, bystander killing dynamics, andin vivoefficacy models (CDX/PDX).
• Provide biology-driven insights into payload mechanism of action, tumor context, and therapeutic index considerations.

4. DMPK, Translational Safety & DC Nomination

• Establish integrated PK/PD/efficacy relationships, quantifying payload release, total antibody, and intact ADC exposure in circulation and within target/non-target tissues.
• Partner with early safety/toxicology to define dose-limiting toxicities in rodent and non-rodent (e.g., non-human primate) pilot studies, driving design iterations that expand the therapeutic index.
• Author and defend formal DC nomination packages, ensuring scientific rigor, robust CMC manufacturability assessments, and audit-ready data.

5. Matrix Management

• Represent payload/linker and ADC platform expertise in cross-functional project teams, governance discussions, and external collaborations.
• Direct external research collaborations and contract research organizations (CROs) for chemistry synthesis, antibody discovery, andin vivoefficacy/tox models.

Candidate Qualifications & Experience

• Education:Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic/Bioorganic Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or Molecular/Cellular Biology.
• Track Record:Direct authorship and leadership in advancing at least one novel ADC program to formal DC status; track record of contributing to IND filings is highly preferred.
• Experience:10+ years of biopharma industry experience, with a minimum of 5 years dedicated specifically to ADC or targeted conjugate discovery and lead optimization.
• DMPK & Safety:Proven ability to translate in vitro data and multi-species PK/PD models into actionable chemical/biological design iterations to optimize the human therapeutic index.
• Leadership Skills:Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary matrix teams, managing laboratory resources, and steering external CRO partnerships.
• Communication:Effectively communicate scientific concepts, study findings, and interpretations to multidisciplinary teams and executive governance committees including Scientific Advisory Boards, and regulatory bodies.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience interacting with early CMC and formulation development teams to de-risk high-concentration stability and scale-up early in discovery.

Equal Opportunities & Right to Work

Genome Therapeutics is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation and we make recruitment decisions based on merit.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application; unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.