Head of Global Investigative Toxicology

Role Summary

Head of Global Investigative Toxicology based in Cambridge, MA, leading global investigative toxicology efforts with operations in multiple sites. Responsible for strategy development, cross-site alignment, and building networks with internal and external partners to advance predictive safety science. Oversees NAMs implementation in preclinical safety testing and serves as a global internal expert to mitigate target- and modality-related safety risks in drug discovery and development.

Responsibilities

• Leading our global investigative toxicology efforts with operations in Boston, Paris and Montpellier and with Senior Scientific Advisors serving as global safety experts in various toxicology disciplines; develop/evolve strategy, ensure alignment across sites, build networks, and ensure access to methodologies/vendors; collaborate with other R&D functions to share technologies and leverage synergies; advise Preclinical Safety Project teams on strategy and progress.
• Reporting to global Head PCS and member of the global Leadership Team.
• Manage Senior Scientific Advisors globally.
• Interact with Heads of Research Projects and Development projects to align on safety considerations.
• Develop innovative solutions and research proposals to pursue cutting-edge science and technologies to optimize translational safety assessment of novel drug targets.
• Facilitate and promote the use of new alternative methods (NAMs) in preclinical safety regulatory and non-regulatory testing.
• Serve as internal expert for discovery and development projects; design project-specific strategies to predict, assess and mitigate safety risks and execute through internal and external capabilities.
• Engage with experts across the organization to ensure teams make informed translational safety decisions.
• Collaborate with multiple R&D functions to identify opportunities to share technologies and work more efficiently.
• Participate in special projects or industry groups; provide scientific input on study design and analysis and contribute to outreach activities.
• Maintain high scientific standards and adhere to timelines; supervise and develop laboratory staff and global experts.

Qualifications

• Required: PhD or DVM with post-doctoral experience in toxicology, biochemistry, pharmacology, cell biology or systems biology; knowledge across biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, biology, physiology and pathology.
• Required: Over 20 years of drug discovery and development experience in nonclinical safety and investigative toxicology within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Required: Demonstrated ability to investigate molecular mechanisms of drug action.
• Required: Experience designing and executing in vitro/in vivo experiments to assess effects of therapeutics with focus on human safety risk understanding.
• Required: Knowledge of regulatory nonclinical testing requirements for biologics and small molecules.
• Required: Strong leadership competencies as a direct manager and transversal leader in a global, complex environment.
• Preferred: DABT certification and experience as GLP Study Director.

Skills

• Strong leadership and people management
• Strategic thinking and cross-functional influence
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills
• Ability to design and interpret translational safety assessments

Education

• PhD or DVM (required as above)