Associate Director, Immunobiology Open Innovation
Biogen
August 31, 2026
On-site
San Francisco, CA
Clinical Research and Development
Scope & Impact:
- Interface of Research, Translational Science, Clinical Development, Business Development, Corporate Strategy, and External Innovation; scientific evaluation and cross-functional collaboration.
- Shape target, program, and external innovation decisions using mechanistic, translational, and disease-relevant data.
- Exercise independent scientific judgment within defined program/portfolio priorities; inform governance, prioritization, and resourcing.
Key Accountabilities:
- Identify, evaluate, and help prioritize targets, pathways, biomarkers, technologies, and external opportunities in immune-mediated/inflammatory diseases.
- Partner with Business Development, Corporate Strategy, Ventures, and Search & Evaluation to assess external assets, collaborations, platforms, and licensing opportunities.
- Support scientific due diligence: mechanistic evaluation, competitive landscape, data/protocol review, translational assessment, scientific fit.
- Translate program learnings into broader insights to inform Immunology Research Unit priorities.
- Guide experimental/translational strategy for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies.
- Generate and integrate decision-enabling data for target validation, lead optimization, biomarker strategy, translational planning, and recommendations.
- Collaborate across R&D for indication expansion and continuity from discovery through development.
- Synthesize/communicate complex science to internal leadership and partners; represent the team externally.
- Mentor scientists and model collaborative, inclusive leadership.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in Immunology/Cellular & Molecular Biology or related field; 8+ years industry/translational research in inflammatory/autoimmune drug discovery.
- Deep innate/adaptive immune biology, immune signaling, and translational immunology.
- Experience guiding experimental strategy across biochemical, cellular, tissue-based, flow cytometry, functional genomics, ex vivo and/or in vivo approaches.
- People leadership (line or matrix) and mentoring.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced matrix environment.
- Strong analytical skills and independent evaluation of complex data.
- Excellent communication/influencing skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Biotech/pharma experience; external innovation and/or portfolio strategy.
- External collaborations/partnerships and sponsored research or due diligence.
- Multiple modalities (small molecules, biologics, cell-based).
- Integrating human biology/biomarker/multi-omics/clinical/translational datasets.
- External scientific network with academic/company engagement.
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances; fitness & wellness reimbursement; Short- and Long-Term Disability; 15+ days paid vacation + end-of-year shutdown (Dec 26–Dec 31); up to 12 paid holidays + 3 personal days; sick time; paid maternity/parental leave; 401(k) match; employee stock purchase plan; tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000/year); Employee Resource Groups participation.
- Interface of Research, Translational Science, Clinical Development, Business Development, Corporate Strategy, and External Innovation; scientific evaluation and cross-functional collaboration.
- Shape target, program, and external innovation decisions using mechanistic, translational, and disease-relevant data.
- Exercise independent scientific judgment within defined program/portfolio priorities; inform governance, prioritization, and resourcing.
Key Accountabilities:
- Identify, evaluate, and help prioritize targets, pathways, biomarkers, technologies, and external opportunities in immune-mediated/inflammatory diseases.
- Partner with Business Development, Corporate Strategy, Ventures, and Search & Evaluation to assess external assets, collaborations, platforms, and licensing opportunities.
- Support scientific due diligence: mechanistic evaluation, competitive landscape, data/protocol review, translational assessment, scientific fit.
- Translate program learnings into broader insights to inform Immunology Research Unit priorities.
- Guide experimental/translational strategy for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies.
- Generate and integrate decision-enabling data for target validation, lead optimization, biomarker strategy, translational planning, and recommendations.
- Collaborate across R&D for indication expansion and continuity from discovery through development.
- Synthesize/communicate complex science to internal leadership and partners; represent the team externally.
- Mentor scientists and model collaborative, inclusive leadership.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in Immunology/Cellular & Molecular Biology or related field; 8+ years industry/translational research in inflammatory/autoimmune drug discovery.
- Deep innate/adaptive immune biology, immune signaling, and translational immunology.
- Experience guiding experimental strategy across biochemical, cellular, tissue-based, flow cytometry, functional genomics, ex vivo and/or in vivo approaches.
- People leadership (line or matrix) and mentoring.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced matrix environment.
- Strong analytical skills and independent evaluation of complex data.
- Excellent communication/influencing skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Biotech/pharma experience; external innovation and/or portfolio strategy.
- External collaborations/partnerships and sponsored research or due diligence.
- Multiple modalities (small molecules, biologics, cell-based).
- Integrating human biology/biomarker/multi-omics/clinical/translational datasets.
- External scientific network with academic/company engagement.
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances; fitness & wellness reimbursement; Short- and Long-Term Disability; 15+ days paid vacation + end-of-year shutdown (Dec 26–Dec 31); up to 12 paid holidays + 3 personal days; sick time; paid maternity/parental leave; 401(k) match; employee stock purchase plan; tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000/year); Employee Resource Groups participation.