Director of ADC

Discover International; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Discover International in Cambridge, MA seeks a Director to lead ADC and DAC programs, owning end-to-end conjugate development from linker-payload strategy to IND-enabling efforts. The role requires deep bioconjugation expertise and a hands-on scientific leadership approach.

You will define scientific direction, troubleshoot complex conjugation challenges, and drive decisions across interdisciplinary teams, including analytical, DMPK, and regulatory interfaces.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, bioconjugation/chemical biology, or related discipline.
• 10+ years in biotech/pharmaceuticals with ADC/bioconjugate experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs end-to-end.
• Hands-on linker-payload design and antibody conjugation experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall ADC/DAC effort as single point of accountability.
• Define and drive linker-payload and conjugation strategy through IND-enabling development.
• Contribute to program prioritization, timelines, and go/no-go decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Bioconjugation expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent work

Education

Ph.D. in synthetic organic/bioconjugation or related field

Job description

Biotech is a Cambridge, MA–based biotechnology company developing novel antibody- based therapeutics, including antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and degrader-antibody conjugate (DAC) programs. We are a small, hands-on team that values scientific rigor, speed, and ownership.

Position Summary

The Director, ADC & DAC will provide scientific and technical leadership for Client’s antibody-drug and degrader-antibody conjugate programs, serving as the owner and single point of accountability for the end-to-end conjugate effort; from linker, payload, and conjugation strategy through candidate selection and IND-enabling development. This is an active technical leadership role. You will set the scientific direction for the conjugate effort and stay deep in the science — driving design decisions and troubleshooting the most challenging linker-payload and bioconjugation problems, rather than executing routine bench work. Payloads of interest span targeted small-molecule and classical cytotoxic modalities.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the overall ADC/DAC effort and serve as the single point of accountability for Client's conjugate programs.
• Define and drive the integrated linker-payload and conjugation strategy from feasibility and proof- of-concept through candidate selection and IND-enabling development.
• Contribute to program prioritization, timelines, and go/no-go decisions.

Linker, Payload & Conjugation Strategy (Design & Optimization)

• Guide selection and optimization of linkers, conjugation chemistries, attachment sites, and drug-to- antibody ratio (DAR).
• Apply deep medicinal- and bioconjugation-chemistry expertise to match payloads with appropriate linker-payload designs.
• Lead the design, structure–activity analysis, and troubleshooting of complex linker-payload constructs.
• Advise on payload-class selection, physicochemical properties, conjugate stability, and release mechanisms.

Intellectual Property & Platform Innovation

• Help Client build proprietary IP around linkers and conjugation approaches for future ADC and DAC programs.
• Identify novel linker/conjugation concepts that enhance intracellular payload delivery and release.
• Contribute to invention disclosures, patent filings, and freedom-to-operate assessments in collaboration with internal leadership and IP counsel.

CMC, Analytical & Translational Interface

• Partner with CMC, analytical, DMPK/toxicology, and translational colleagues to ensure conjugate designs are developable and support IND-enabling and downstream activities.
• Advise on ADC/DAC analytics (e.g., DAR and drug-load distribution, aggregation, free payload, LC-MS, HIC), conjugate stability, and the PK/tox implications of linker-payload choices.
• Contribute conjugate-related content to scientific reports and regulatory documentation as programs advance.

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, bioconjugation/chemical biology, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of biotech/pharmaceutical experience in ADC or bioconjugate drug development, with demonstrated depth in linker-payload design and antibody conjugation.
• Proven track record advancing ADC/conjugate programs — from linker-payload design and optimization through candidate selection and/or IND-enabling development.
• Hands-on expertise in linker chemistry and conjugation methods (e.g., cysteine/lysine and site- specific conjugation, DAR control and characterization) across multiple payload classes.
• Working knowledge of payload classes, including cytotoxics and, ideally, small‑molecule inhibitors, targeted degraders, or molecular glues.
• Solid understanding of ADC/DAC analytics, conjugate stability, and the PK/tox and developability implications of linker-payload design.
• … Ability to operate independently and lead complex, cross‑functional programs to concrete deliverables.

Preferred

• Experience conjugating small‑molecule inhibitors, targeted degraders (e.g., PROTAC or molecular glue), beyond classical cytotoxics.
• Experience with multispecific antibodies and/or targeted protein degradation.
• Track record of generating linker/conjugation intellectual property (issued patents, invention disclosures).
• Prior experience establishing conjugation capabilities, platforms, or IP at a biotech.
• Experience supporting IND-enabling development and early clinical (Phase I) programs, particularly in oncology.