Scientific Director, Bioconjugation Development

Neurocrine Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 185,600 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus 35% of base salary

Equity-based long-term incentive

Retirement plan with company match

Paid vacation/holidays/personal days

Health benefits

Job summary

Neurocrine Biosciences in San Diego seeks a senior leader to set the long-term scientific vision for bioconjugation development, spanning ADCs, APCs, and AOCs. You will drive portfolio strategy, manufacturing readiness, and regulatory credibility while guiding cross‑functional teams across discovery, CMC, quality, and external partnerships.

Responsibilities include steering strategy, risk management, and leadership development to advance programs from candidate selection through

Qualifications

• BS/BA in chemistry or related field with 12+ years of experience.
• MS/MA with 10+ years of experience.
• PhD with 8+ years of experience.
• Expert in site-specific conjugation technologies and DAR control.
• Experience with manufacturing, tech transfer, and commercialization.
• Regulatory knowledge for bioconjugate therapeutics.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams driving strategic bioconjugation development initiatives.
• Set long‑term scientific vision for ADC, APC, AOC, and related modalities.
• Lead design and execution of departmental strategies and policies for bioconjugate development.
• Maintain strategic oversight of functional deliverables.
• Drive cross‑functional initiatives across discovery, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory.
• Manage external manufacturing partnerships strategically.

Skills

Bioconjugate development strategy

Site-specific conjugation

DAR control

Cross-functional leadership

Education

BS/BA in chemistry/biochemistry/biology or related

MS/MA in chemistry/biochemistry/biology or related

PhD in chemistry/biochemistry/biology or related

Job description

About the Role:

Set the long-term scientific vision for bioconjugation development, shaping portfolio strategy for next‑generation antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs), antibody‑peptide conjugates (APCs), antibody‑oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), and related targeted delivery platforms. This leadership role drives innovation in conjugation technologies, linker‑payload design, manufacturability, and product development, while strengthening external scientific engagement and ensuring deep product understanding, CMC excellence, and regulatory credibility remain central to organizational decision‑making. By guiding functional development and aligning bioconjugation strategy with business priorities, you will have broad impact on both current programs and future platform development.

Your Contributions:

• Lead teams driving strategic bioconjugation development initiatives across the portfolio
• Establish long‑term scientific vision for ADC, APC, AOC, and emerging bioconjugate modalities, influencing enterprise strategy
• Lead design and execution of departmental strategies and policies for bioconjugate process development
• Maintain strategic oversight of functional deliverables
• Drive cross‑functional initiatives with department‑wide impact across discovery, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory functions
• Develop and oversee enterprise‑level risk management strategies for bioconjugate products, platforms, and manufacturing processes
• Manage external manufacturing partnerships strategically
• Lead innovation initiatives across bioconjugation technologies, linker chemistries, payloads, and targeted delivery platforms
• Guide strategic direction of multiple development programs from candidate selection through commercialization
• Influence enterprise‑level decision making
• Develop functional capabilities and leadership talent in bioconjugation development
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• BS/BA in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or similar scientific discipline and 12+ years of relevant experience
• MS/MA in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or similar scientific discipline and 10+ years of relevant experience
• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or similar scientific discipline or equivalent and 8+ years of relevant experience
• Expert in bioconjugate development strategies including site‑specific conjugation technologies, DAR control, and late‑stage/commercial bioconjugate development
• Extensive experience with bioconjugate manufacturing, technology transfer, and commercialization
• Comprehensive regulatory knowledge for bioconjugate therapeutics
• Advanced cross‑functional leadership across discovery, CMC, quality, regulatory, and external partner organizations
• Guides enterprise‑level bioconjugation development initiatives and platform strategies
• Demonstrates strategic execution excellence in advancing complex programs
• Drives the strategic direction of the functional area
• Broad scientific mastery guiding organizational leadership
• Widely recognized scientific authority in bioconjugation, conjugation chemistry, or related disciplines
• Deep understanding of business strategy and corporate objectives
• Communicates scientific direction across the organization
• Translates strategy into actionable plans
• Leads multiple teams effectively
• Mentors mid‑level leaders
• Exceptional communication and influence skills
• Develops long‑term organizational vision
• Strong executive‑level project leadership
• Shapes organizational practices strategically
• Influences external stakeholders

EEO Statement:

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer. We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

Compensation and Benefits:

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $185,600.00‑$253,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 35% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity‑based long‑term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.