Director, Translational Medicines

Damora Therapeutics; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Damora Therapeutics, Inc. in Boston, MA, is seeking a Translational Medicine Scientist to drive translational research for our antibody-based oncology portfolio.

You will design and execute strategies and assays bridging discovery, clinical development, and biomarker science, collaborating across discovery, clinical development, bioinformatics, regulatory, and external partners. Reporting to the Head of Preclinical Development and Translational Medicine, you will lead assay development,

Qualifications

• Proven track record developing and implementing translational assays for clinical trials.
• Strong understanding of clinical development and regulatory processes.
• Experience working in highly cross functional environments and influencing without authority.
• Demonstrated expertise in biologics, particularly antibody based therapeutics.
• Experience in hematology or oncology preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience contributing to regulatory and scientific documents.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute translational medicine plans to support clinical development of antibody based therapeutics.
• Define biomarker hypotheses, patient selection strategies, and pharmacodynamic readouts aligned with clinical objectives.
• Lead the development, validation, and deployment of translational and clinical biomarker assays; oversee external CROs.
• Integrate biomarker data, clinical endpoints, and mechanistic insights to inform dose selection and patient stratification.
• Partner with discovery scientists to translate preclinical findings into clinically actionable hypotheses.
• Work with clinical teams to design biomarker driven clinical trial protocols and exploratory endpoints.
• Collaborate with data science and bioinformatics to interpret complex datasets and generate mechanistic insights.
• Present translational findings to governance bodies and external collaborators; contribute to regulatory submissions.

Education

PhD or equivalent advanced degree in immunology/oncology/molecular biology/pharmacology

Tools

Biomarker assays

Translational assays

Job description

Damora Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DMRA) is a Boston-based biotechnology company working to fundamentally redefine care for patients with blood disorders. Damora is advancing a new generation of subcutaneous biologics targeting mutant calreticulin (mutCALR)-driven myeloproliferative neoplasms, including essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis — chronic hematologic cancers with significant unmet need. The company’s lead program, DMR-001, is an investigational monoclonal antibody designed to selectively target mutant calreticulin, with additional programs (DMR-002 and DMR-003) advancing behind it.

This is a unique opportunity to join a science-driven company at a formative stage, where early clinical data will directly shape development strategy and drive long-term value. The right candidate will join a team with significant early- and late-stage development experience, with the goal of quickly moving through dose escalation/expansion into pivotal trials.

Position Summary

We are seeking an accomplished Translational Medicine Scientist to drive the strategic and scientific direction of translational research for our oncology portfolio, with a focus on antibody based therapeutics. This role is ideal for a scientist who thrives at the interface of discovery, clinical development, and biomarker science, and who brings deep expertise in oncology—preferably hematologic malignancies.

You will lead the design, development, and implementation of translational strategies and assays that enable data driven decision making in early and late stage clinical programs. This is a highly cross functional role requiring close collaboration with discovery research, clinical development, bioinformatics, regulatory, and external partners.

This role reports to the Head of Preclinical Development and Translational Medicine.

Key Responsibilities

Translational Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute translational medicine plans to support clinical development of antibody based therapeutics.
• Define biomarker hypotheses, patient selection strategies, and pharmacodynamic readouts aligned with clinical objectives.

Assay Development & Biomarker Implementation

• Lead the development, validation, and deployment of translational and clinical biomarker assays (e.g., DNA/RNA based assays, flow cytometry, IHC, ELISA, genomic and proteomic platforms).
• Oversee external CROs to ensure high quality assay performance, sample handling, and data integrity.
• Integrate biomarker data, clinical endpoints, and mechanistic insights to inform dose selection, patient stratification, and proof of mechanism.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with discovery scientists to translate preclinical findings into clinically actionable hypotheses.
• Work with clinical teams to design biomarker driven clinical trial protocols, including sample collection plans and exploratory endpoints.
• Collaborate with data science and bioinformatics to interpret complex datasets and generate mechanistic insights.

Scientific Excellence & Communication

• Present translational findings to internal governance bodies, external collaborators, and scientific conferences.
• Contribute to regulatory submissions, including biomarker strategy sections and assay validation documentation.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, competitive landscapes, and scientific advances in oncology and biologics.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in immunology, oncology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or a related field with 8+ years of industry experience in translational medicine, biomarker development, or related roles, or Masters with 14+ years of industry experience
• Proven track record developing and implementing translational assays for clinical trials.
• Strong understanding of clinical development and regulatory processes.
• Experience working in highly cross functional environments and influencing without authority
• Demonstrated expertise in biologics, particularly antibody based therapeutics (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, ADCs) preferred.
• Experience in hematology or oncology preferred (MPN experience a plus).
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, highly collaborative biotech environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience contributing to regulatory and scientific documents.