Senior Director, Translational Medicine

Eikon Therapeutics; Millbrae (CA); On-site; USD 252,000 - 305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan with company matching

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance (prem.

Mental health benefits

Generous PTO and holidays

Life/AD&D insurance

Job summary

Eikon Therapeutics is seeking a Senior Director of Translational Medicine to drive biomarker research for its clinical pipeline. You will lead cross-functional teams to develop biomarker strategies, validate assays, and interpret biomarker data to support program advancement.

The role requires onsite presence at least 3 days per week in Jersey City, NJ or Millbrae, CA, with strong leadership and extensive biomarker experience guiding clinical development decisions.

Qualifications

• PhD with at least 10 years of biomarker development in drug development.
• Experience translating disease biology into clinical biomarker strategies.
• Strong ability to analyze complex biomarker data and draw conclusions.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional Biomarker Subteams to develop biomarker strategy aligned with oncology programs.
• Collaborate with research, clinical development, biostatistics, regulatory, data management, and operations.
• Provide input into preclinical and clinical development plans for translational aims.
• Identify novel translational approaches and validate relevant biomarkers for trial endpoints.
• Author biomarker sections of clinical protocols and ensure assay validation.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Biomarker strategy

Data analysis (R/Python)

Communication skills

Collaborative teamwork

Drug development insight

Education

PhD in oncology/immunology

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Eikon Therapeutics is a new biopharmaceutical company employing revolutionary technology at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, computation, and biology to discover novel treatments for life-threatening diseases. Eikon’s discovery platform is built on groundbreaking innovations from its founders (Nobel Prize, 2014), culminating in the creation of microscopes which enable real time, molecular-resolution measurements of protein movement in living cells, thereby unlocking otherwise intractable classes of proteins as drug targets.

Position

As Senior Director of Translational Medicine, you will play a vital role in driving biomarker research for our innovative clinical pipeline. You will lead cross-functional teams in the development of biomarker strategies, selection and validation of biomarker assays, and analysis and interpretation of biomarker data to support the advancement of our clinical programs.

About You

You are a strategic thinker with strong scientific acumen, have proven leadership and influence skills, and demonstrate a deep understanding of the impact of translational medicine in drug development. You bring extensive expertise in the classes of biomarkers that influence clinical development, an understanding of fit-for-purpose assay validation, and ability to perform data analysis through to impactful conclusion and interpretation.

This role requires onsite presence at least 3 days per week (or more as business needs require) in our Jersey City, NJ or Millbrae, CA offices to ensure effective communication, operational excellence, and high-performance execution of clinical trials.

What You’ll Do

• Lead one or more cross-functional Biomarker Subteam(s) to develop and implement a comprehensive biomarker strategy aligned with oncology clinical program goals.
• Establish and maintain strong collaborations with research, clinical development, clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, data management, clinical operations, and commercial teams.
• Provide strategic input into preclinical and clinical development plans, ensuring seamless translation of scientific findings.
• Identify and champion novel translational approaches and technologies to enhance drug development.
• Lead the identification, validation, and implementation of relevant biomarkers (pharmacodynamic, predictive, prognostic, mechanism of action, safety, resistance) to deliver key trial objectives such as patient selection, dose optimization, and therapeutic response monitoring.
• Author biomarker sections of clinical protocols and oversee their execution.
• Ensure the rigorous, fit-for-purpose analytical validation of selected biomarker assays.
• Contribute to the scientific community through publications, presentations, and active knowledge-sharing.
• Contribute to health authority interactions and submissions, including INDs, NDAs/BLAs, and CDx filings.
• Ensure all translational medicine activities are conducted in compliance with GCP, regulatory guidelines, and ethical standards.

Qualifications

• PhD and postdoctoral training in the area of oncology, immunology, or a related field with minimum of 10 years of clinical biomarker development experience in a drug development setting.
• Experience translating disease biology and preclinical pharmacology into clinical biomarker strategies that impact the clinical development of oncology therapeutics.
• Outstanding strategic and critical thinking skills, with a track record of proactive innovation, scientific excellence, and demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex biomarker data.
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative team and clearly communicate the impact of biomarker plans and outcomes on clinical development, both orally and in writing.
• Expertise in selection, analytical validation, and clinical implementation of assays from a range of biomarker technologies.
• Experience evaluating the predictive and prognostic value biomarkers and familiarity with companion diagnostic development.
• Experience conducting data analysis in R or Python preferred.
• Ability to excel in a dynamic, fast-moving environment by demonstrating independence, proactivity, creativity, and a solution-oriented mindset.

At Eikon, employee compensation also includes bonus and equity compensation, in addition to several generous benefit programs, including:

• 401k plan with company matching
• Medical (premiums covered by Eikon at 95%), dental and vision insurance (premiums covered by Eikon at 100%)
• Mental health and wellness benefits
• Weeklong summer and winter holiday shutdowns
• Generous paid time off and holiday policies
• Life/AD&D Insurance (premiums covered by Eikon at 100%) and optional supplemental employee‑paid life/AD&D policies
• Enhanced parental leave benefit
• Daily subsidized lunch program when on‑site

The expected salary range for this role is $252,000 to $304,500 depending on skills, competency, and the market demand for your expertise.

Eikon is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment.