Director, Therapeutics Translational Neurobiology

About the Stanley Center

The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute is a world leader in the study of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Founded and supported by the Stanley Family Foundation, the Stanley Center brings together experts in genetics, computation, neurobiology, and therapeutics to work in partnership to understand the biology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and to translate that understanding into new treatments. Our preclinical therapeutics program takes genetically and biologically grounded targets through early drug discovery to preclinical proof-of-concept, drawing on the Stanley Center's deep expertise in human genetics, iPSC-derived cellular models, postmortem brain tissue, and mouse and non-human primate model systems.

The Role

We're looking for a Director of Therapeutics Translational Neurobiology to help set scientific strategy, identify novel targets, and lead execution across several therapeutics programs within the Stanley Center's preclinical drug discovery portfolio. This is a leadership role for an experienced drug hunter who has moved beyond running a single project and has prior industry experience shaping larger portfolios. Using insights gained from cutting-edge genetic and neurobiological discoveries at the Stanley Center, this person will help identify new areas for therapeutic discovery investment, develop and execute on these strategic investments, and pursue outside partnerships as projects mature.

The person in this role will report to Morgan Sheng, co-director of the Stanley Center and head of Therapeutics. As a key member of the Stanley Center Therapeutics program, this person will oversee existing projects from target validation to drug discovery and preclinical proof-of-concept and have the independence to form and manage a small team of scientists to identify, develop, and prosecute new targets. This work will be done in close partnership with the larger Stanley Center Therapeutics leadership group and Broad's drug discovery chemistry team (Center for Developing Therapeutics; CDoT). The development of strong relationships with Stanley Center geneticists and neurobiologists will support efforts to drive new target identification. To further advance projects as they mature, and in collaboration with the Broad's Office of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships, this person will build and leverage relationships with biotech and pharma partners to develop external alliances.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with existing Stanley Center therapeutics leadership to define and drive scientific strategy across a portfolio of several therapeutics projects, translating human genetic and biological insights into coherent, prioritized drug discovery plans
• Collaborate with others in Stanley Center therapeutics leadership on strategic planning and resource allocation across the broader therapeutics program
• Own portfolio-level budget planning and managerial oversight across several preclinical therapeutics projects from target validation to drug discovery and preclinical proof-of-concept
• Oversee and mentor project leads prosecuting on existing targets, while building out a team to develop and drive the prosecution of new targets
• Foster a strong culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, and professional growth across the team
• Make and defend go/no-go and prioritization calls as projects generate new data, balancing scientific rationale, feasibility, and strategic fit with the Center's mission
• Build and maintain relationships with biotech and pharma companies, working with the Broad's Business Development office to identify and cultivate partnership opportunities as programs mature toward preclinical proof-of-concept
• Represent the Stanley Center's therapeutics work externally, including in partnering discussions, scientific conferences, and diligence processes

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Molecular/Cell Biology, Chemistry, or a related life sciences field required
• 10+ years of drug discovery experience in industry (biotech or pharma), with a demonstrated track record of leading programs from target identification through IND-enabling studies or beyond; CNS or psychiatric disease drug discovery experience required
• Prior experience in industry managing a team of scientists, including hiring, mentoring, and performance development; 7+ years' experience
• Direct experience managing a multi-project portfolio and making prioritization/resourcing decisions across programs
• Established track record of, or direct exposure to, external partnership development, licensing discussions, or business development in a biotech/pharma or academic drug discovery context
• Comfort operating in a matrixed organization, balancing scientific direction from principal investigators with programmatic and portfolio ownership
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership, external partners, and scientific audiences