Senior Director, Discovery Biology

SoTalent; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 212,000 - 333,000; Full time

Job summary

SoTalent is seeking a senior scientific leader to direct discovery biology strategy within an AI-enabled research environment. The role will establish the biological and translational foundation for programs, from target validation through clinical hypothesis, while integrating experimental biology with AI-driven drug discovery approaches.

You will lead disease biology and target validation, define translational biomarker strategies, manage external CRO biology programs, and contribute to

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline and 12–15+ years in drug discovery.
• Strong track record in target validation and disease biology.
• Experience contributing to IND filings and managing external CRO biology programs.
• Ability to integrate biology with AI-enabled data and translational strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead disease biology and target validation strategy across discovery programs.
• Establish mechanistic rationale and clinical relevance for therapeutic programs.
• Define translational biomarker strategies to support progression decisions.
• Design and oversee external CRO biology programs (in vitro/in vivo).
• Evaluate scientific data and ensure outputs are decision-ready.
• Integrate biology data into AI-enabled DMTA workflows.
• Collaborate with chemistry, DMPK, safety and structural biology teams.
• Represent biology strategy at governance and portfolio reviews.
• Contribute to IND-enabling biology packages and regulatory activities.
• Monitor disease biology developments to inform portfolio strategy.
• Help establish new operating models for AI-enabled discovery and automation.

Skills

Target validation

Disease biology

AI/ML data integration

Cross-functional leadership

IND filings

CRO management

Drug discovery

Leadership

Education

PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology or related

Job description

Salary: $212,000–$333,190/year + performance incentives

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Biotechnology

A senior scientific leadership opportunity is available for an experienced drug discovery professional to lead discovery biology strategy within an AI-enabled research environment. The role will establish the biological and translational foundation for programs, from target validation through clinical hypothesis, while integrating experimental biology with advanced data and AI-driven drug discovery approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead disease biology and target validation strategy across a portfolio of discovery programs
• Establish mechanistic rationale, differentiation and clinical relevance for therapeutic programs
• Define translational biomarker strategies to support program progression and go/no-go decisions
• Design and oversee external CRO biology programs, including in vitro and in vivo studies
• Critically evaluate scientific data and ensure study outputs are decision-ready
• Integrate biology data into AI-enabled drug discovery and design-make-test-analyze (DMTA) workflows
• Collaborate with medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, DMPK, safety and structural biology teams
• Challenge scientific assumptions and ensure biological rigor throughout program development
• Represent biology strategy at governance and portfolio review forums
• Contribute to IND-enabling biology packages and regulatory development activities
• Monitor developments in disease biology and competitive research to inform portfolio strategy
• Help establish new operating models for AI-enabled discovery and research automation

Requirements

• PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology or a closely related scientific discipline
• 12–15+ years of drug discovery experience
• Strong track record in target validation and disease biology
• Experience contributing to IND filings and IND-enabling biology packages
• Proven experience managing and overseeing external CRO biology programs
• Ability to connect target biology with translational strategy and clinical hypotheses
• Experience working with AI/ML-enabled data integration and large, multi-source datasets
• Expertise in at least one relevant therapeutic area
• Strong cross-functional leadership and collaboration skills
• Ability to operate effectively within a lean, fast-paced and highly innovative research environment

Compensation: $212,000–$333,190 base salary, plus potential short- and/or long-term incentives and comprehensive benefits.