Director, New Target Strategy
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals
August 07, 2026
On-site
Lexington, MA
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Lead identification and prioritization of novel therapeutic targets using 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 scientific lead for internal and external diligence on new targets, platforms, non-clinical, and 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 using 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.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Immunology, Biology, Pharmacology, or related life sciences; 10+ years discovery research experience in biotech/pharma with demonstrated program/project-level leadership.
- Proven track record in target identification and validation in immunology, cardiovascular disease, or related complex diseases; ability to translate human biology into actionable hypotheses.
- Experience leading or 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; assess strengths, gaps, and risks in early discovery.
Skills (preferred/standout):
- Translating human biology into therapeutically actionable targets.
- Strategic scientific diligence and portfolio judgment.
- End-to-end target validation leadership across in vitro/in vivo/translational models.
- Willingness to learn and implement emerging AI tools.
- Patient-centered drive and entrepreneurial energy.
Onsite requirement:
- Based in Lexington, MA; onsite five days per week.
Pay range:
- $215,000–$250,000 USD.
- Lead identification and prioritization of novel therapeutic targets using 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 scientific lead for internal and external diligence on new targets, platforms, non-clinical, and 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 using 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.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Immunology, Biology, Pharmacology, or related life sciences; 10+ years discovery research experience in biotech/pharma with demonstrated program/project-level leadership.
- Proven track record in target identification and validation in immunology, cardiovascular disease, or related complex diseases; ability to translate human biology into actionable hypotheses.
- Experience leading or 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; assess strengths, gaps, and risks in early discovery.
Skills (preferred/standout):
- Translating human biology into therapeutically actionable targets.
- Strategic scientific diligence and portfolio judgment.
- End-to-end target validation leadership across in vitro/in vivo/translational models.
- Willingness to learn and implement emerging AI tools.
- Patient-centered drive and entrepreneurial energy.
Onsite requirement:
- Based in Lexington, MA; onsite five days per week.
Pay range:
- $215,000–$250,000 USD.