Sr Director Chemical Biology Vertex Pharmaceuticals Boston

Job Description: • 2-minute read •
We seek a proven leader in Chemical Biology for our Boston research facility. The candidate will report to the site head for Research, will be a member of the leadership team, and will contribute to the strategic direction of research at the site. The candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary team responsible for application of cutting-edge chemical biology approaches to enable the Boston research portfolio, with a particular focus on target identification, validation, and biomarker discovery. The team will be comprised of biologists and chemists that work closely with project leaders to enable studies on target biology and compound mechanism of action early in the drug discovery cycle.
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In addition to chemical genetics and biochemical approaches, this group will also be involved in functional genomics approaches to probe novel biological pathways and understand the mechanism of action of small molecules. The group will also play a key role in defining opportunities for chemistry to enable drug discovery beyond small molecules, for example in the area of Nucleic Acid therapeutics. The cross-disciplinary team will interact across chemistry, biology, and pre-clinical research and the candidate should also be able to lead cross-functional, cross‑site or other collaborative activities necessary to advance new therapeutics to the clinic.

The candidate should have a proven track record in Chemical Biology as demonstrated through peer reviewed literature and influence in the field. The candidate should be fluent with recent developments in Chemical Biology including advances in target deconvolution and biomarker discovery, chemical probes, and the rapidly evolving field of functional genomics. Experience in target validation and/or identification during drug discovery to advance molecules into the clinic would be an asset.

Minimum Qualifications
- PhD (or equivalent degree) in Chemistry or Biology
- 10 plus years’ experience. 3-5 years’ experience leading a small or mid-sized group
- Experience in strategic planning, project leadership, laboratory and budget management
- Demonstrated contributions in target identification and validation
- Expertise in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology and broad understanding of drug discovery
- Experience in the application of genetic and/or computational methods to study pathways and identify targets
- Expertise in chemistry, especially as it relates to probe design
- Proven ability to champion and advance innovative concepts
- Experience developing people and mentoring group members
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity in a highly matrixed work environment
- Ability to identify and lead collaborations in chemical biology field

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