Job Description
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced drug discovery scientist and people leader to serve as Director of a Screening and High Throughput Biology group within Quantitative Biosciences Early Discovery. The successful candidate combines deep expertise in high throughput biology platforms with broad experience spanning target identification and validation, lead discovery and optimization. This individual will set scientific direction for the group, lead a team of approximately 8 scientists and associates, and deploy screening and HTB capabilities in direct support of drug discovery programs spanning multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, metabolic disease, ophthalmology, and infectious disease. The Director will operate within a highly matrixed environment, partnering closely with Discovery Chemistry, Discovery Biology, DMPK, and in vivo pharmacology to deliver high-quality, decision-enabling data that advances the portfolio. This role emphasizes leadership of lab-facing personnel and requires regular onsite presence (4+ days per week) in Rahway, NJ.
Key Responsibilities:
Works closely with Department Leadership to set the scientific vision and strategy for the group, defining priorities, success metrics, and standards for data quality and delivery in support of discovery programs
Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team through clear accountability, coaching, mentorship, and career development of PhD scientists, MS/BS associates, and contractors
Apply high throughput biology platforms including CRISPR-based approaches, DRUG-seq, high content imaging, cell painting, and complex biological models to enable target identification, hit finding, compound profiling, and lead optimization
Design and execute research operating plans that translate program strategy into actionable experimental work streams
Provide quantitative, mechanistic, and pharmacologically grounded interpretation of screening and profiling data to inform compound progression decisions
Partner cross-functionally to ensure HTB deliverables are integrated into program-level decision-making
Foster a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making within the group
Build and maintain internal and external networks that enhance the group's capabilities, including management of CRO relationships and academic collaborations
Evolve the group's technology portfolio and capabilities in response to changing portfolio needs
Education:
Ph.D. with 10+ years in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Biophysics, or a related discipline
BS/MS with 15+ years of directly applicable industry experience and a demonstrated track record of scientific leadership may also be considered
Required Experience and Skills:
10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery
Demonstrated expertise in high throughput biology platforms, with hands-on experience in one or more of: CRISPR screening, transcriptional profiling at scale (e.g., DRUG-seq), high content imaging, cell painting, or development of complex cellular models
Track record of contributing to early drug discovery programs
Experience designing and executing research operating plans in support of lead discovery
Direct people management experience: building, leading, and developing teams of scientists in a lab-facing environment
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
Quantitative rigor in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of cell-based assay pharmacology
Excellent communication skills with ability to distill complex datasets into clear recommendations for stakeholders
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Background in quantitative sciences — quantitative pharmacology, biochemistry, or systems-level/mechanistic approaches to compound characterization
Experience managing external collaborations including CROs and academic partnerships
Familiarity with AI/ML…