CSO / VP of R&D

Shennon Biotechnologies; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Shennon Biotechnologies located in San Francisco is seeking a CSO/VP of Research to lead their R&D initiatives. This pivotal role will guide the development of therapeutics and foster partnerships within the biopharma industry.

The ideal candidate must hold a Ph.D. in immuno-oncology and have over 10 years of relevant industry experience. Responsibilities include collaborating with the CEO, refining the R&D pipeline, and driving lead candidates towards clinical trials.

The company values collaboration, ownership, and authenticity in its culture, aiming to innovate and improve human health.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industry experience in R&D program management.
• Proven ability to direct pre-clinical assets through clinical trials.
• Experience in scaling a pre-clinical company to commercial success.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CEO to refine the R&D pipeline.
• Lead the R&D team to drive lead candidates forward.
• Establish strategic roadmaps and present insights to leadership.
• Promote scientific excellence and innovation culture.

Skills

Immunotherapy expertise

Leadership in R&D programs

Interpersonal skills

Strategic communication

Education

Ph.D. in immuno-oncology

Job description

About Us We are a biotech startup based in San Francisco, CA. We have developed a proprietary technology stack to generate the best TCE molecules. We can discover novel targets, generate binders with an >80% hit rate, and use proprietary AI models to predict potential on‑target and off‑target toxicity events with 100% accuracy to ensure clinical safety. We have an exciting pipeline coming up. Our team is interdisciplinary, consists of experienced immunologists, computational biologists and engineers who are dedicated to creating effective therapies to improve human health. Our advisory board consists of world‑class biotech executives and experts in immuno‑oncology who each has decades of experiences in bringing new immuno‑oncology drugs to the clinic.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CSO/VP of Research is an accomplished scientific leader, who can professionally and effectively execute the research initiatives towards Shennon Bio’s vision and strategy. This role will lead the R&D function on the therapeutics side and play a critical part in developing biopharma partnerships. An ideal candidate will be an R&D leader with a passion for immunotherapy and knows how to bring TCE candidates into the clinic. This person will maintain professional and productive relationships with internal colleagues and external collaborators with an entrepreneurial & go‑to‑market mindset.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CEO and various advisors to scale and refine the pipeline for both external partnerships and in‑house therapeutic programs.
• Lead the R&D team to refine the pipeline and drive lead candidates forward.
• Establish a strategic roadmap and present key data‑driven insights to the CEO and the board.
• Lead efforts to scale the organization in the way of scientific talent, and capital equipment.
• Establish & maintain new relationships with external collaborators such as targeted clinicians, biotech and pharma leadership, and key opinion leaders in the field of immuno‑oncology and immunotherapy.
• Organize strategic communications with the internal team and external partners, tailored specifically to Shennon’s growth strategy and vision.
• Promote strong scientific excellence and foster an open culture of ideation, innovation, and deep scientific rigor.

Qualifications and Experience

• Ph.D. in a field related to immuno‑oncology and 10+ years of industry experience in designing, managing, and leading R&D programs required.
• Domain expertise in immuno‑oncology and TCEs.
• Deep expertise in directing TCE programs into the clinic.
• Proven ability in directing pre‑clinical assets to successful IND and clinical trials.
• Pre‑established relationships with pharma companies and partners.
• Experience in scaling a pre‑clinical company to commercial success with capital efficiency.
• Ability to plan decisions with discipline and possess an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Ability to present clearly and concisely to the executive team, board members, and external stakeholders as a thought leader and trusted advisor.
• Articulate and thoughtful communicator who effectively communicates across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and situational awareness, with the ability to exert influence and rally a team effectively.
• Passionate about the startup environment, able to work from the ground zero to help develop the team and grow junior people.
• Awareness of one’s own strength and weaknesses, knows when and where to get assistance when needed. Low ego with a growth mindset.
• Ability to gauge each team member’s strengths and weaknesses and know how to get the best out of each person in the team.
• Team player who can maintain professional and productive relationships with internal colleagues and external collaborators.

Company Culture

Collaboration, Ownership and Authenticity.