Associate Director, Translational Toxicology, Preclinical Development

Wave Life Sciences; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Wave Life Sciences in Lexington, MA, seeks a senior scientist to lead preclinical safety assessments and regulatory interactions for oligonucleotide therapies. You will shape safety strategies across discovery and development, guiding toxicology study design, risk mitigation, and cross-functional collaboration.

The role requires 7+ years in preclinical safety, a PhD in biology/toxicology, and strong GLP/regulatory expertise, with travel to CROs and project teams as needed.

Qualifications

• DVM/PhD or PhD in biology, toxicology or related field, Board certification in toxicology is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience (7+ years) in preclinical safety assessment of novel therapeutic entities.
• Experience with regulatory submissions and responses.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary representative of PCDS on Program Teams.
• Coordinate between PCDS and CMC, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Operations, and Discovery Sciences.
• Provide risk assessment and de-risking strategies for discovery programs.
• Design preclinical strategies for Development candidate molecules.
• Coordinate toxicity studies with outsourcing and integrate bioanalysis and toxicokinetics into studies.
• Lead the interpretation of animal model data for efficacy/tolerability and PK/PD.
• Guide projects and senior management on toxicology conclusions and strategic impact.
• Lead issue-resolution teams for investigative toxicology and discovery work.

Skills

GLP compliance

Toxicology leadership

Regulatory submissions

Communication skills

Team leadership

Travel readiness

Education

PhD in biology/toxicology

DVM/PhD (optional)

Board certification in toxicology (desirable)

Job description

Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities including RNAi silencing and RNA editing provides us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline is focused on our obesity, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and PNPLA3 I148M liver disease programs and includes clinical programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, as well as several preclinical programs utilizing our versatile RNA medicines platform. Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Wave Life Sciences is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Preclinical and Clinical Development Sciences team in Lexington, Massachusetts. The candidate will be expected to provide scientific expertise and leadership across the Discovery and Development portfolio by contributing to the safety assessment of novel therapeutic oligonucleotides intended for the treatment of rare diseases. The candidate should possess an in-depth understanding of safety pharmacology, investigative and regulatory toxicology, and have experience designing and critically evaluating results of exploratory and GLP-compliant toxicology studies. Previous experience in authoring and reviewing nonclinical regulatory documents as well as interactions with regulatory authorities is required as is a background in the safety assessment of drugs intended to treat diseases of the hepatic, kidney, muscular and central nervous systems.

Experience

• DVM/PhD or PhD in biology, toxicology or related field, Board certification in toxicology is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience (7+ years) in preclinical safety assessment of novel therapeutic entities.
• Experience with regulatory submissions and responses.

Responsibilities

• This position will be part of the Preclinical and Clinical Development Sciences (PCDS) team supporting development as a primary representative of PCDS on Program Teams.
• Represent PCDS at team meetings and coordinate between PCDS and other functions including CMC, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Operations, and Platform and Discovery Sciences.
• Provide risk assessment and de-risking strategies for discovery programs.
• Design preclinical strategies for Discovery and Development candidate molecules.
• Design toxicity studies: coordinate with Preclinical Outsourcing for placement and monitoring of the studies as well as the Bioanalytical and DMPK groups regarding integration of bioanalysis and toxicokinetic aspects into these studies to ensure on-time delivery of key data and study reports.
• Work with Platform Discovery Sciences, Translational Medicine and program teams to utilize and interpret animal models of diseases for efficacy/tolerability assessment and PK/PD evaluation.
• Lead the development of early hypothesis-driven investigation into mechanisms of toxicity for the proactive management of potential safety liabilities and communication of impact to teams.
• Provide strategic guidance to project teams and senior management including evaluation of conclusions and potential impact of toxicology results on program and clinical/regulatory strategy.
• Lead issue-resolution teams, driving the science for investigative and discovery toxicology as needed.
• Provide leadership as a key member of the Preclinical Development Leadership Team with opportunities for continual organizational advancement.

Key Skills

• Knowledge of GLP compliance and relevant ICH & FDA guidance documents.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team-oriented environment.
• Ability to oversee CRO interface, as appropriate, to deliver high quality, cost-effective, and timely safety assessment.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, internally and externally, to execute on the appropriate studies to support selection of therapeutic targets, and the identification and development of new drug candidates.
• Ability to travel to monitor out-sourced studies.
• Outstanding organizational skills/ability to prioritize and deliver in timely fashion.

Pay Range Disclosure Statement

$170,000—$230,000 USD

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the annual base salary pay range for this position at the time of posting. Actual annual base salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, qualifications, position criticality, and internal equity. This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and discretionary stock-based long-term incentives.

In addition to compensation, Wave offers a comprehensive and competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees' and their families physical and financial health and overall well-being. These include, but are not limited to, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability insurances, generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), 401K participation with matching contributions, and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Wave Life Sciences expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Wave Life Sciences' employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

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