Associate Director, Drug Substance Scientist

Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic and innovative biotechnology firm as an Associate Director, Drug Substance Scientist. In this pivotal role, you will lead the development and optimization of antibody manufacturing processes while ensuring the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage production releases, and mentor junior scientists, all while working with state-of-the-art technology. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of transformative medicines for patients with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. If you are passionate about making a difference in the biotechnology field, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree with 8+ years in drug substance process development.
• Extensive experience in chromatography and filtration for antibodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize upstream and downstream processes for antibody production.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and high-quality standards.

Skills

Process Development

Downstream Process Development

Chromatography

Filtration

Regulatory Compliance

Statistical Analysis

Data Analysis

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Master's in Biotechnology

Tools

Process Performance Qualification (PPQ)

Quality by Design (QbD)

Job description

Associate Director, Drug Substance Scientist

Remote

About Us

Dianthus Therapeutics is a publicly traded, clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to designing and delivering novel, best-in-class monoclonal antibodies with improved selectivity and potency. Based in New York City and Waltham, Mass., Dianthus is comprised of an experienced team of biotech and pharma executives who are leading the development of next-generation antibody complement therapeutics, aiming to deliver transformative medicines for people living with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. To learn more, please visit www.dianthustx.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About the Role

As the Associate Director, Drug Substance Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in the development, scale-up, and optimization of antibody manufacturing processes, ensuring the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Drug Substance and MSAT, you will oversee upstream and downstream process development for drug substance production, specifically focusing on antibody-based therapeutics. Day to day, you will lead drug substance manufacturing, manage and troubleshoot all production releases, PPQ, and work alongside internal and external partners. Experience across both upstream and downstream processes is ideal.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing and dynamic team. You will have the chance to contribute to the development of an innovative pipeline and work with state-of-the-art technology. We are building a culture of individuals who hold our core principles at the center of our operations, with the goal to elevate the care of our patients’ lives.

Key Responsibilities

Process Development:

• Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of upstream and downstream processes for antibody drug substance production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate upstream and downstream workflows seamlessly.

Downstream Expertise:

• Develop and optimize purification processes, including chromatography, filtration, and other separation technologies for antibodies.
• Establish scalable and robust downstream processes to ensure high yield and purity of drug substance.

Manufacturing Expertise:

• Design, plan, and execute Process Performance Qualification (PPQ) activities to support late-stage upstream and downstream process validation.
• Ensure process robustness and consistency through statistical analysis and data-driven approaches.
• Prepare and review PPQ protocols and reports for regulatory submissions.
• Oversee the transfer of processes to manufacturing facilities, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and commercial scalability.
• Work closely with CMOs/CDMOs to support late-stage development and commercialization activities.

Analytical Support:

• Collaborate with analytical development teams to define critical quality attributes (CQAs) and establish in-process controls.
• Ensure consistency in process performance through data-driven approaches and risk assessments.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Author and review sections of regulatory filings related to drug substance processes, such as INDs, BLAs, or MAAs.
• Stay up-to-date on regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance in all process development activities.

Leadership and Mentorship:

• Provide technical leadership to the team and mentor junior scientists and engineers.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Experience

• Education: PhD or Master's in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Extensive experience in downstream (e.g., chromatography, filtration) drug substance process development for biologics, specifically antibodies.
• Experience with upstream process development is highly preferred.
• Proven track record of successful technology transfers and scale-up to cGMP manufacturing.
• Experience with late-stage process development and regulatory (BLA) submissions.
• Strong knowledge of antibody purification technologies and quality control measures.
• Familiarity with QbD (Quality by Design) principles and risk-based process development.
• Proficiency in data analysis and process modeling tools.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• High sense of accountability to deliver results and meet timelines.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.