Director, New Target Strategy
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals
June 24, 2026
On-site
Lexington, MA
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities
- Lead identification and prioritization of novel therapeutic targets using information such as human genetics, functional genomics, emerging disease biology, and clinical data.
- Contribute to portfolio strategy by evaluating disease mechanisms, competitive landscapes, and unmet medical needs; drive hypothesis generation grounded in human disease relevance and translational potential.
- Serve as a scientific lead for internal and external diligence activities for new targets, platforms, and non-clinical/early clinical-stage assets; assess biological plausibility, differentiation, feasibility, and risk; prepare and present data-driven recommendations to senior business development and research leadership.
- Design target validation strategies incorporating in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo approaches to generate high-quality biological data packages; collaborate with chemistry, biologics, and platform teams to align biology with modality and development strategy.
Required / Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Immunology, Biology, Pharmacology, or related life sciences; 10+ years of discovery research experience in biotech/pharma with demonstrated leadership at program/project level.
- Proven track record in target identification and validation in immunology, cardiovascular disease, or related complex disease areas.
- Experience leading/contributing to scientific diligence for internal pipeline programs and external opportunities.
- Strong background in target biology/mechanism of action and preclinical disease models; ability to integrate multi-omic, genetic, translational, and pharmacology data and assess strengths/gaps/risks.
Standout skills
- Translating human biology into high-value targets (human genetics/multi-omics).
- Strategic scientific diligence & portfolio judgment.
- End-to-end target validation leadership (in vitro/in vivo/translational).
- Curiosity to learn and implement emerging AI tools.
- Patient-centered, entrepreneurial drive.
Pay Range
- $215,000 - $250,000 USD.
Application Instructions
- Not specified in the provided text.
- Lead identification and prioritization of novel therapeutic targets using information such as human genetics, functional genomics, emerging disease biology, and clinical data.
- Contribute to portfolio strategy by evaluating disease mechanisms, competitive landscapes, and unmet medical needs; drive hypothesis generation grounded in human disease relevance and translational potential.
- Serve as a scientific lead for internal and external diligence activities for new targets, platforms, and non-clinical/early clinical-stage assets; assess biological plausibility, differentiation, feasibility, and risk; prepare and present data-driven recommendations to senior business development and research leadership.
- Design target validation strategies incorporating in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo approaches to generate high-quality biological data packages; collaborate with chemistry, biologics, and platform teams to align biology with modality and development strategy.
Required / Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Immunology, Biology, Pharmacology, or related life sciences; 10+ years of discovery research experience in biotech/pharma with demonstrated leadership at program/project level.
- Proven track record in target identification and validation in immunology, cardiovascular disease, or related complex disease areas.
- Experience leading/contributing to scientific diligence for internal pipeline programs and external opportunities.
- Strong background in target biology/mechanism of action and preclinical disease models; ability to integrate multi-omic, genetic, translational, and pharmacology data and assess strengths/gaps/risks.
Standout skills
- Translating human biology into high-value targets (human genetics/multi-omics).
- Strategic scientific diligence & portfolio judgment.
- End-to-end target validation leadership (in vitro/in vivo/translational).
- Curiosity to learn and implement emerging AI tools.
- Patient-centered, entrepreneurial drive.
Pay Range
- $215,000 - $250,000 USD.
Application Instructions
- Not specified in the provided text.