(Sr/Exec) Director, Biology (Virology)
Work In Biotech, Seattle, WA, United States
(Sr/Exec) Director, Biology (Virology)
Location:
[Seattle, WA / Bay Area | Hybrid] Company:
Stealth-mode Biotechnology Company
Ensure all your application information is up to date and in order before applying for this opportunity.
The Role The Director, Biology (Virology) will be a key scientific leader within the discovery organization, responsible for driving virology strategy and execution across all antiviral programs. Will lead hands-on efforts spanning target validation, assay development, candidate profiling, and translational virology, with direct impact on development candidate selection and IND-enabling readiness. Key Responsibilities Virology Strategy & Program Leadership Lead virology efforts across one or more programs, aligning with broader discovery strategy set by senior leadership Drive target validation and mechanistic understanding of viral infection, pathogenesis, and immune protection Contribute to candidate profile definition (potency, breadth, durability) grounded in viral biology and clinical context Virology & Antiviral Discovery Execution Design, develop, and oversee virologically relevant assay systems, including: Viral neutralization assays (live virus and pseudovirus) Cell-based infection models using clinically relevant strains and variants High-throughput or medium-throughput screening assays for biologic candidates Lead viral isolate sourcing, propagation, and characterization, including variant panels relevant to clinical strategy Drive mechanistic studies of viral entry, replication, and immune evasion Execute and/or oversee epitope mapping, escape analysis, and resistance profiling Integrate in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate antiviral activity and translational relevance Define and interpret correlates of protection and functional immune readouts Candidate Advancement & IND-Enabling Support Generate decision-quality data packages to support candidate selection and progression Partner in the design and execution of: In vivo pharmacology and efficacy studies PK/PD and dose-response characterization Nonclinical safety and toxicology studies (in collaboration with development teams) Ensure virology and pharmacology data are aligned with regulatory expectations for IND-enabling packages Contribute to IND documentation and regulatory interactions as needed Externalized Research & Operations Manage and execute a hybrid internal/external research model, including CROs, academic collaborators, and specialized virology labs Serve as a key scientific point of contact for external partners, ensuring high-quality data generation and timelines Maintain high standards for experimental design, data integrity, and reproducibility Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with protein sciences, antibody engineering, DMPK, toxicology, and CMC teams to ensure integrated candidate development Contribute to cross-functional decision-making, balancing potency, breadth, developability, and timelines Communicate data and insights clearly to senior leadership and broader teams Scientific Engagement Stay current with emerging science in virology, immunology, and antiviral therapeutics Engage with external experts and KOLs to inform program strategy Qualifications
xywuqvp Required PhD (or equivalent) in virology, immunology, or related field 10–15 years of relevant experience in biotech or pharma Deep expertise in viral biology and in vitro/in vivo virology systems Demonstrated experience advancing biologic or antiviral programs in discovery and preclinical stages Strong track record of hands-on experimental leadership and program execution Strongly Preferred Direct experience with antiviral monoclonal antibodies or protein-based therapeutics Experience with respiratory viruses (e.g., RSV, influenza, coronaviruses) Familiarity with IND-enabling studies and regulatory expectations Experience working in externally enabled research models (CROs/academic labs) Leadership Profile Scientifically rigorous and detail-oriented, with strong experimental instincts Highly collaborative, with the ability to influence across functions without formal authority Execution-focused, with a bias toward clarity, speed, and decision-making Comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving startup environment
[Seattle, WA / Bay Area | Hybrid] Company:
Stealth-mode Biotechnology Company
Ensure all your application information is up to date and in order before applying for this opportunity.
The Role The Director, Biology (Virology) will be a key scientific leader within the discovery organization, responsible for driving virology strategy and execution across all antiviral programs. Will lead hands-on efforts spanning target validation, assay development, candidate profiling, and translational virology, with direct impact on development candidate selection and IND-enabling readiness. Key Responsibilities Virology Strategy & Program Leadership Lead virology efforts across one or more programs, aligning with broader discovery strategy set by senior leadership Drive target validation and mechanistic understanding of viral infection, pathogenesis, and immune protection Contribute to candidate profile definition (potency, breadth, durability) grounded in viral biology and clinical context Virology & Antiviral Discovery Execution Design, develop, and oversee virologically relevant assay systems, including: Viral neutralization assays (live virus and pseudovirus) Cell-based infection models using clinically relevant strains and variants High-throughput or medium-throughput screening assays for biologic candidates Lead viral isolate sourcing, propagation, and characterization, including variant panels relevant to clinical strategy Drive mechanistic studies of viral entry, replication, and immune evasion Execute and/or oversee epitope mapping, escape analysis, and resistance profiling Integrate in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate antiviral activity and translational relevance Define and interpret correlates of protection and functional immune readouts Candidate Advancement & IND-Enabling Support Generate decision-quality data packages to support candidate selection and progression Partner in the design and execution of: In vivo pharmacology and efficacy studies PK/PD and dose-response characterization Nonclinical safety and toxicology studies (in collaboration with development teams) Ensure virology and pharmacology data are aligned with regulatory expectations for IND-enabling packages Contribute to IND documentation and regulatory interactions as needed Externalized Research & Operations Manage and execute a hybrid internal/external research model, including CROs, academic collaborators, and specialized virology labs Serve as a key scientific point of contact for external partners, ensuring high-quality data generation and timelines Maintain high standards for experimental design, data integrity, and reproducibility Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with protein sciences, antibody engineering, DMPK, toxicology, and CMC teams to ensure integrated candidate development Contribute to cross-functional decision-making, balancing potency, breadth, developability, and timelines Communicate data and insights clearly to senior leadership and broader teams Scientific Engagement Stay current with emerging science in virology, immunology, and antiviral therapeutics Engage with external experts and KOLs to inform program strategy Qualifications
xywuqvp Required PhD (or equivalent) in virology, immunology, or related field 10–15 years of relevant experience in biotech or pharma Deep expertise in viral biology and in vitro/in vivo virology systems Demonstrated experience advancing biologic or antiviral programs in discovery and preclinical stages Strong track record of hands-on experimental leadership and program execution Strongly Preferred Direct experience with antiviral monoclonal antibodies or protein-based therapeutics Experience with respiratory viruses (e.g., RSV, influenza, coronaviruses) Familiarity with IND-enabling studies and regulatory expectations Experience working in externally enabled research models (CROs/academic labs) Leadership Profile Scientifically rigorous and detail-oriented, with strong experimental instincts Highly collaborative, with the ability to influence across functions without formal authority Execution-focused, with a bias toward clarity, speed, and decision-making Comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving startup environment