Director of Peptide Therapeutics
Caris Life Sciences
July 01, 2026
Remote friendly (Phoenix, AZ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Position Summary
- Lead the formulation, design, development, and advancement of peptide-based therapeutics targeting clinically relevant genetic mutations.
- Provide scientific leadership and oversee execution across peptide therapeutic discovery, formulation development, candidate optimization, and early-stage translational development.
- Work cross-functionally to advance candidates from concept through preclinical development; manage priorities, guide experimental design, and align programs with precision medicine objectives.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead peptide therapeutic program strategy focused on disease-associated mutations.
- Oversee peptide design/synthesis strategy, formulation development, optimization, characterization, and candidate selection.
- Develop candidates evaluating potency, selectivity, stability, delivery, manufacturability, and translational relevance.
- Partner with genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, oncology, and translational science to identify mutation-driven opportunities.
- Establish/manage workflows for formulation, screening, lead optimization, and preclinical advancement.
- Evaluate peptide discovery technologies, delivery platforms, conjugation strategies, and formulation approaches.
- Provide oversight for internal teams, CROs, academic collaborators, and external development partners.
- Design/review studies for MoA, pharmacology, PK/PD, safety, and early development planning.
- Translate mutation biology and molecular profiling into actionable development strategies.
- Build project plans, milestones, timelines, risk assessments; communicate progress to senior leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmacology, or related field.
- 10+ years in peptide therapeutics/drug discovery/formulation/pharmaceutical or targeted therapeutic development.
- Demonstrated experience leading peptide design, formulation, synthesis strategy, characterization, optimization, or development programs.
- Experience advancing candidates through discovery, lead optimization, or preclinical development.
- Strong understanding of peptide chemistry, stability, delivery, formulation principles, analytical characterization, and developability.
- Experience managing scientific teams and external partners/CROs/matrix programs.
- Strong written/verbal communication; ability to present to diverse audiences.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and basic Internet use.
Preferred Qualifications
- Oncology/precision medicine/genomics-informed or mutation-specific targeting experience.
- Experience with peptide conjugates, macrocyclic/stapled/cell-penetrating peptides, peptide-drug conjugates, or targeted delivery.
- IND-enabling/CMC/GLP toxicology/regulatory interaction experience.
- Computational peptide design, structure-based design, AI-enabled discovery, or molecular modeling.
Other
- Physical: sit/stand for extended periods; computer use; occasional lab work and PPE; occasional lifting up to 25 lbs; in-person/phone/virtual communication.
- May require periodic travel and some evenings/weekends/holidays; possible after-hours response.
- Conditions: successful pre-employment background check, drug screening, (credit check for certain positions), and reference verification.
- Lead the formulation, design, development, and advancement of peptide-based therapeutics targeting clinically relevant genetic mutations.
- Provide scientific leadership and oversee execution across peptide therapeutic discovery, formulation development, candidate optimization, and early-stage translational development.
- Work cross-functionally to advance candidates from concept through preclinical development; manage priorities, guide experimental design, and align programs with precision medicine objectives.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead peptide therapeutic program strategy focused on disease-associated mutations.
- Oversee peptide design/synthesis strategy, formulation development, optimization, characterization, and candidate selection.
- Develop candidates evaluating potency, selectivity, stability, delivery, manufacturability, and translational relevance.
- Partner with genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, oncology, and translational science to identify mutation-driven opportunities.
- Establish/manage workflows for formulation, screening, lead optimization, and preclinical advancement.
- Evaluate peptide discovery technologies, delivery platforms, conjugation strategies, and formulation approaches.
- Provide oversight for internal teams, CROs, academic collaborators, and external development partners.
- Design/review studies for MoA, pharmacology, PK/PD, safety, and early development planning.
- Translate mutation biology and molecular profiling into actionable development strategies.
- Build project plans, milestones, timelines, risk assessments; communicate progress to senior leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmacology, or related field.
- 10+ years in peptide therapeutics/drug discovery/formulation/pharmaceutical or targeted therapeutic development.
- Demonstrated experience leading peptide design, formulation, synthesis strategy, characterization, optimization, or development programs.
- Experience advancing candidates through discovery, lead optimization, or preclinical development.
- Strong understanding of peptide chemistry, stability, delivery, formulation principles, analytical characterization, and developability.
- Experience managing scientific teams and external partners/CROs/matrix programs.
- Strong written/verbal communication; ability to present to diverse audiences.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and basic Internet use.
Preferred Qualifications
- Oncology/precision medicine/genomics-informed or mutation-specific targeting experience.
- Experience with peptide conjugates, macrocyclic/stapled/cell-penetrating peptides, peptide-drug conjugates, or targeted delivery.
- IND-enabling/CMC/GLP toxicology/regulatory interaction experience.
- Computational peptide design, structure-based design, AI-enabled discovery, or molecular modeling.
Other
- Physical: sit/stand for extended periods; computer use; occasional lab work and PPE; occasional lifting up to 25 lbs; in-person/phone/virtual communication.
- May require periodic travel and some evenings/weekends/holidays; possible after-hours response.
- Conditions: successful pre-employment background check, drug screening, (credit check for certain positions), and reference verification.