APPLIED GENOMICS LEAD

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Saudi Arabia is seeking a professional to lead and manage advanced translational activities related to gene therapy and molecular therapeutics. Candidates must possess a PhD in a relevant field, along with over six years of experience in biomedical research. Responsibilities include coordinating with industry partners, providing scientific oversight, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Excellent communication and leadership skills are essential. The position offers an opportunity to drive innovative healthcare solutions.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience in translational biomedical scientific activities.
• Experience in gene therapy, vaccine development, or molecular therapeutics.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, SFDA).

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage advanced translational activities and development programs.
• Coordinate with academic, clinical, and industry partners.
• Provide scientific oversight across ongoing translational projects.
• Design and implement advanced delivery systems and therapeutic modalities.
• Mentor students and scientific staff in translational methodology.

Skills

Leadership in therapeutic development

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Oral and written communication

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Science (DSc) in relevant biomedical or life sciences discipline

Job description

Summary

Leads and manages advanced translational activities and development programs, such as gene therapy, vaccine platforms, and molecular therapeutics. Coordinates with academic, clinical, and industry partners to advance investigational technologies toward clinical readiness and regulatory compliance. Supports the strategic expansion of translational programs within the Genomic Medicine Center of Excellence (GMCoE).

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

1. Leads translational programs in gene therapy, molecular therapeutics, or other platform technologies in alignment with institutional priorities.
2. Provides scientific oversight of experimental design, data interpretation, and troubleshooting across ongoing translational projects.
3. Designs, evaluates, and implements advanced delivery systems and therapeutic modalities, to ensure scientific robustness of translational outputs.
4. Conceives and leads scientific hypothesis-driven studies that advance therapeutic understanding, with potential to generate new IP, collaborations, or development pathways.
5. Interfaces with regulatory affairs teams to ensure compliance with local and international standards (FDA, EMA, SFDA).
6. Coordinates cross-functional project teams across academia, healthcare, and industry partners, and actively participates in strategy discussions.
7. Contributes to scientific outputs, such as peer-reviewed publications, as appropriate to project scope and collaboration opportunities.
8. Leads internal technical reviews and data-driven go/no-go decisions at key project milestones, ensuring scientific integrity and developmental feasibility.
9. Presents outcomes at relevant national and international meetings, and participates in GMCoE seminars and conferences.
10. Writes new research proposals and applies for funding and grants.
11. Mentors students and scientific staff in translational methodology and advanced molecular techniques, fostering a culture of scientific excellence.
12. Follows all laboratory safety rules and regulations.
13. Follows all Hospital’s related Policies and Procedures.
14. Participates in self and others' education, training and development, as applicable.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Science (DSc) Degree from an accredited institution in a relevant biomedical or life sciences discipline (e.g. molecular biology, virology, immunology, biotechnology, or related field) is required.

Experience Required

Six (6) years of postdoctoral or industry experience in translational biomedical scientific activities such as gene therapy, vaccine development, molecular diagnostics, or therapeutic platform engineering.

Other Requirements (Certificates)

• Demonstrated leadership in therapeutic development (bench-to-product), regulatory compliance, or cross-sector project management (including deliverables, timelines, and budget accountability).
• Relevant experience in clinical trials, commercialization, and/or translational manufacturing environments is desirable.
• Experience contributing to the development and translation of advanced biomedical products, such as gene therapy, vaccines, or molecular therapeutics. May include involvement in one or more clinical trials, regulatory submissions, or product development pipelines. The depth and scope of involvement may vary depending on complexity, team role, and maturity stage of the product.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, SFDA) governing advanced therapies.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, teamwork, and oral/written communication skills are necessary.