Qualifications
Key Responsibilities
Own the biological validation strategy from human genetics to disease-relevant cellular phenotypes and translational readouts.
Translate genetic and functional genomics evidence into testable hypotheses, detailed experimental plans, and clear go/no-go decision points.
Lead research projects for preclinical drug discovery programs, ensuring adherence to timelines, data quality, and scientific narrative.
Drive target validation efforts across various modalities (small molecules, biologics, oligonucleotides, and emerging modalities) with a modality-agnostic approach.
Provide expert leadership in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on immune/neuroinflammatory mechanisms and dysregulation in CNS-relevant cell types.
Oversee the design, execution, and interpretation of iPSC-derived and other human-relevant phenotypic assays including assay development and validation.
Mentor scientists specializing in cell model development and biology; manage direct reports and coordinate cross-functional teams.
Establish standards for experimental rigor and reproducibility; enhance documentation and best practices to support portfolio prioritization and target nomination.
Design and manage experiments conducted with external partners (CROs and collaborators), including oversight and troubleshooting.
Collaborate closely with data scientists and other experts to integrate multi-omic datasets with biological insights, facilitating rapid learning cycles and high-quality decision-making.
About the job
Flagship Pioneering, Inc. is on the lookout for a visionary Senior/Executive Director to serve as the Head of Biology. In this pivotal role, you will spearhead the biological strategy and target validation within our causality-driven discovery platform. Your expertise will be essential in converting human genetic data—such as GWAS, rare variants, Mendelian randomization, and functional genomics—into robust biological validations that are pertinent to disease, while also shaping preclinical programs across a range of therapeutic areas.
The ideal candidate will possess extensive target validation experience across various therapeutic modalities, with a strong emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases (including Parkinson’s disease), genomic perturbation tools, and the capability to make significant contributions to cardiovascular and immune-mediated biology. You will be responsible for building and mentoring an exceptional biology team, establishing high standards for scientific rigor and decision-making quality, and collaborating closely with data science, chemistry, and platform operations to progress targets to development readiness.
About Flagship Pioneering, Inc.
Flagship Pioneering, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company that innovates by creating and developing groundbreaking life science companies, focusing on unlocking the potential of biology to address significant unmet medical needs.