Sr. Director, Head, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 196,700 - 353,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class healthcare coverage

Well-being support programs

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. seeks a Senior Director, Head of Quantitative Systems Pharmacology in Cambridge, MA to provide strategic and operational leadership in quantitative pharmacology. The role includes developing QSP strategies and ensuring alignment across research and clinical functions.

The candidate must possess a Ph.D. and have 10+ years' experience in mechanistic modeling. The position offers a competitive salary range and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in systems pharmacology, bioengineering, or applied mathematics.
• 10+ years of industry experience in QSP or mechanistic modeling.
• Proven track record in drug development support.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement QSP strategy across therapeutic areas.
• Lead design and application of mechanistic models for key decisions.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to align strategies.

Skills

Mechanistic modeling

Systems biology

PK/PD understanding

Modeling platforms (MATLAB, R, Python)

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in systems pharmacology or related field

Tools

MATLAB/SimBiology

R

Python

Job description

The Role

Moderna’s Clinical and Quantitative Pharmacology (CQP) function is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as Senior Director, Head of Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) capability.

In this role, you will provide strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for Moderna’s mechanistic and systems pharmacology capabilities. This leader will define and execute the vision for how mechanistic modeling, systems biology, and model-informed drug development (MIDD) approaches are applied across discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages to accelerate early development decisions, strengthen translational understanding, and optimize dose, schedule and patient selection strategies.

You will work closely with internal modelers, quantitative scientists, matrix partners, and external collaborators, while collaborating deeply across research, platform sciences, translational, biomarker, DMPK, and clinical functions. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring that QSP strategies and deliverables not only deliver scientific and technical rigor but also strategic insight and cross‑functional alignment to accelerate and de‑risk Moderna’s research and early development pipeline. In addition to leading QSP strategy and capabilities, this role is expected to serve directly as the CQP representative within key program teams, driving model‑informed drug development strategy and enabling portfolio decisions in close partnership with cross‑functional leaders. You will also represent Moderna as a thought leader in QSP and translational modeling.

Here’s What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement QSP strategy across priority therapeutic areas and modalities.
• Embed QSP principles and deliverables into Moderna’s R&D decision framework, including target validation, animal study design, human dose projection, and mechanism‑of‑action understanding.
• Partner with discovery, preclinical, clinical and platform teams to ensure quantitative and biological hypotheses guide experimental design and portfolio advancement.
• Represent QSP and champion quantitative and systems‑based thinking throughout R&D.

Scientific Leadership & Modeling Excellence

• Lead design, development, and application of mechanistic models (disease progression, target engagement, immune dynamics, biomarker relationships, etc.) to inform key program decisions.
• Integrate multi‑dimensional data and knowledge into multi‑scale mechanistic models for translation and decision support.
• Advance innovative approaches in model architectures and computational methodologies.
• Ensure scientific rigor, transparency, and reproducibility in all modeling deliverables.

Cross‑Functional & Stakeholder Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Medicine, DMPK, research, bioinformatics, clinical development and platform sciences to design integrated quantitative strategies.
• Provide QSP input for INDs, IBs, regulatory filings, and Health Authority interactions.
• Align modeling deliverables with clinical and quantitative pharmacology to enable model‑informed decision‑making throughout the program lifecycle.

QSP Capability & Matrix Leadership

• Provide scientific and functional leadership for QSP activities across internal contributors, matrix partners, external vendors, and academic collaborators.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that promotes learning, creativity, and scientific excellence.
• Help shape QSP capability development, operating model, and talent strategy as the portfolio evolves.
• Oversee outsourced modeling work, budget, and strategic partnerships with CROs and academic collaborators.

External & Thought Leadership

• Represent Moderna in global scientific forums, regulatory workshops, and consortia to shape the future of QSP and model‑informed drug development.
• Publish and present scientific work in high‑impact journals and conferences.

Other Duties

• As needed, contribute to or lead cross‑functional special projects, ad hoc initiatives, or new methodology pilots.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Ph.D. in systems pharmacology, bioengineering, applied mathematics, pharmacology, or a related quantitative discipline.
• 10+ years of industry or equivalent experience in QSP / mechanistic modeling, with at least 5 years in oncology and/or immunology.
• Proven track record of applying mechanistic and translational models to support drug development (preclinical through clinical).
• Deep understanding of PK/PD, systems biology, disease pathway modeling, and biomarker integration.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership, mentoring, and development of quantitative scientists, preferably across sites, geographies, or matrix settings.
• Proficiency in modeling platforms such as MATLAB/SimBiology, Monolix, R, or Python.
• Strong communication and influencing skills; ability to translate quantitative findings for multidisciplinary and executive audiences.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining scientifically hands‑on in a fast‑evolving portfolio environment.
• Experience contributing to regulatory filings and Health Authority interactions leveraging model‑informed approaches.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience in mRNA or novel therapeutic modalities (e.g. gene therapy, biologics, immuno‑oncology).
• Familiarity with PBPK modeling, virtual populations, or digital‑twin simulation.
• Experience building infrastructure or toolchains for scalable modeling and data integration.
• Track record of scientific publications and external visibility.
• A desire to make an impact as part of a high‑growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.

Pay & Benefits

Pay range: $196,700.00 – $353,400.00. Salary is based on competencies, education, qualifications, experience, performance, and business needs. Successful candidates may be eligible for discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and performance.

Benefits include:

• Best‑in‑class healthcare coverage and voluntary benefit programs.
• Well‑being support including fitness, mindfulness, and mental health programs.
• Family planning benefits including fertility, adoption and surrogacy support.
• Generous paid time off: vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and discretionary year‑end shutdown.
• Savings and investment opportunities.
• Location‑specific perks and extras.

Export Control Notice

This position may involve access to technology or data subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export‑controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. Moderna cannot sponsor non‑U.S. persons for an export control license.

Equal Opportunities

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is an E‑Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Accommodations

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Please contact the Accommodations team at [e-mail] for accommodations in connection with the hiring process or to perform essential functions of the position.