Job Description

We seek a highly motivated and collaborative (Associate) Director - Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics to join our team at our laboratories based in Seattle, WA. The (Associate) Director will lead our DMPK efforts and will be responsible for defining, directing and executing preclinical DMPK efforts across multiple programs and stages at Variant Bio. Reporting to the VP, Therapeutics Discovery, this person will define the DMPK strategy for preclinical programs and direct internal and external resources. The ideal candidate will have experience in human PK predictions, DMPK regulatory and IND-enabling studies with both small molecules and biologics. Exceptional leadership, communication skills, the ability to lead DMPK efforts independently, propose innovative solutions, and work with a multidisciplinary drug discovery team of chemists, biologists and pharmacologists are key attributes for this position. We also seek creative thinkers, agile learners and candidates with an unwavering willingness to do what is necessary to help build the company and mature a human-genetics-backed therapeutic pipeline. Our current disease areas of interest include kidney disease, fibrosis, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Responsibilities

• Lead preclinical in vitro and in vivo DMPK efforts and define program strategies in collaboration with chemistry and biology leads in support of multiple discovery programs
  
• Propose, coordinate and review DMPK studies with CROs
  
• Represent DMPK on cross-functional teams and contribute to DMPK, project and R&D strategy
  
• Manage members of the external DMPK and build/mentor lean internal DMPK team
  
• Provide guidance for compound optimization as well as human PK and dose predictions
  
• Contribute and define DMPK regulatory studies and documentation
  
• Be an active team player, working hand-in-hand with colleagues in pharmacology, chemistry and biology
  
• Contribute to IND-documents as projects continue to advance in the pipeline
  
• This role is based in Seattle, and the candidate will spend a portion of their time in the lab, conducting or directing DMPK experiments
  

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics or a related discipline and minimum of 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
  
• A proven track-record of DMPK drug-discovery experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech environment, ideally with both large (biologics) and small molecules
  
• Ability to lead an internal and external team, represent program strategy at scientific and leadership meetings
  
• Knowledge of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic/dynamic principles
  
• Human pharmacokinetic prediction/IND-submission experience is preferred
  
• Good knowledge of DMPK experimental aspects, including mass spectrometry, microsomal stability assays, metabolite identification, CYP inhibition and induction, covalent binding, plasma protein binding, solubility determination, and in vivo PK parameters
  
• Experience with DMPK-enabling computational tools, including WinNonLin and/or ADME prediction and QSAR models (e.g., GastroPlus, SymCyp)
  
• Excellent people skills and an ability & willingness to work on a multidisciplinary R&D team
  
• Independent, creative, detail-oriented, and a critical thinker
  
• Compelled by the company’s mission of great science, a strong ethical stance, and benefit sharing
  

What We Offer

• Opportunity to be part of a startup entering a rapid growth phase grounded in ethics.
  
• Competitive salary and equity packages as well as a 401(k) plan that includes an automatic 3% employer contribution.
  
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental and vision with 100% of monthly employee premiums paid for by the company.
  
• Flexible paid time off to help employees obtain a healthy work-life balance.
  
• Company paid professional development opportunities to encourage career progression.
  
• Orca Card provided by the company for work related transportation.
  
• Centrally located Eastlake, Seattle location in a new Alexandria building with modern facilities, including a gym.

Anticipated annual base salary for this position is $170,000 - $225,000 plus up to 10-20% bonus and an options package, for total compensation of up to $187,000 - $270,000, plus equity options.

The annual salary range above is based on the responsibilities and qualifications listed above. Individual salary will depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Don't meet every single requirement but are excited to join the Variant Bio team? If your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles.