Associate Director, ADC platform in Oncology Drug Discovery
Novartis
July 02, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead scientific strategy for ADC payload selection, linker design, conjugation approaches, and related platform innovations
- Apply expertise across payload classes, mechanisms of action, potency, resistance biology, bystander activity, and tolerability to guide program design
- Partner with chemistry, biology, protein engineering, pharmacology, translational sciences, and CMC to advance next-generation ADCs
- Evaluate and prioritize novel payloads, linker technologies, and conjugation approaches for internal programs and external opportunities
- Provide biology-driven insights into payload mechanism of action, tumor context, therapeutic index, and combination strategies
- Design and guide experimental strategies to assess ADC activity, selectivity, resistance mechanisms, linker stability, and payload-related pharmacology
- Contribute to next-generation ADC platform strategy, including differentiated payload-linker concepts and biology-aligned ADC design
- Represent payload/linker expertise in cross-functional teams, governance discussions, and external collaborations
- Monitor scientific, clinical, competitive, and IP landscapes related to ADC payloads, linkers, and emerging targeted modalities
- Mentor scientists and support a collaborative, high-performing research environment
Essential Requirements:
- Ph.D. in cancer biology, pharmacology, chemical biology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, bioengineering, or related discipline
- 5–10 years of industry experience in ADC discovery, targeted therapeutics, or oncology drug discovery
- Extensive expertise in ADC payloads (MoA, potency, resistance biology, therapeutic index)
- Strong knowledge of linker and conjugation technologies (stability, release mechanisms, site-specific conjugation, developability)
- Deep understanding of ADC biology (tumor targeting, internalization, trafficking, payload release, bystander effects, pharmacology)
- Ability to integrate biology, chemistry, and translational data into actionable strategies
- Proven experience leading cross-functional scientific discussions and influencing program direction
- Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
Compensation & Benefits (as stated):
- Salary expected range: $152,600–$283,400 USD annually; performance-based cash incentive; potential eligibility for annual equity awards; comprehensive US benefits package and time off.
- Lead scientific strategy for ADC payload selection, linker design, conjugation approaches, and related platform innovations
- Apply expertise across payload classes, mechanisms of action, potency, resistance biology, bystander activity, and tolerability to guide program design
- Partner with chemistry, biology, protein engineering, pharmacology, translational sciences, and CMC to advance next-generation ADCs
- Evaluate and prioritize novel payloads, linker technologies, and conjugation approaches for internal programs and external opportunities
- Provide biology-driven insights into payload mechanism of action, tumor context, therapeutic index, and combination strategies
- Design and guide experimental strategies to assess ADC activity, selectivity, resistance mechanisms, linker stability, and payload-related pharmacology
- Contribute to next-generation ADC platform strategy, including differentiated payload-linker concepts and biology-aligned ADC design
- Represent payload/linker expertise in cross-functional teams, governance discussions, and external collaborations
- Monitor scientific, clinical, competitive, and IP landscapes related to ADC payloads, linkers, and emerging targeted modalities
- Mentor scientists and support a collaborative, high-performing research environment
Essential Requirements:
- Ph.D. in cancer biology, pharmacology, chemical biology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, bioengineering, or related discipline
- 5–10 years of industry experience in ADC discovery, targeted therapeutics, or oncology drug discovery
- Extensive expertise in ADC payloads (MoA, potency, resistance biology, therapeutic index)
- Strong knowledge of linker and conjugation technologies (stability, release mechanisms, site-specific conjugation, developability)
- Deep understanding of ADC biology (tumor targeting, internalization, trafficking, payload release, bystander effects, pharmacology)
- Ability to integrate biology, chemistry, and translational data into actionable strategies
- Proven experience leading cross-functional scientific discussions and influencing program direction
- Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
Compensation & Benefits (as stated):
- Salary expected range: $152,600–$283,400 USD annually; performance-based cash incentive; potential eligibility for annual equity awards; comprehensive US benefits package and time off.