Head of Global Investigative Toxicology

Role Summary

Head of Global Investigative Toxicology, based in Cambridge, MA. Lead the global investigative toxicology program with responsibilities spanning multiple sites, directing Senior Scientific Advisors and developing strategy to advance predictive safety science in early drug discovery. Drive adoption of new alternative methods (NAMs) and cross-functional collaboration to design safety attributes into candidate drugs.

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 based in multiple countries (France, US and Germany); develop/evolve strategy, ensure alignment and rationalization of activities across sites; ensure reaching out to internal and external ecosystem to develop/maintain networks and ensure access to appropriate methodologies/vendors; reach to other functions in R&D (Translational Medicine Unit, Research and Development) to share technologies / use synergies as applicable. Advice Preclinical Safety Project teams reps on building investigative toxicology strategy / review given strategies to progress projects successful overcoming challenges or rationale termination.
• Reporting to global Head PCS and Member of the global Leadership Team.
• Manage Senior Scientific Advisors globally.
• Strongly interact with Heads of Research Projects and Development projects
• Develop together innovative solutions and research proposals to pursue cutting edge science and technologies in order to optimize and influence 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 globally as internal expert for discovery and development projects and design project-specific strategies to predict, assess and mitigate target- and modality-related safety risks and execute through internal and external experimental capabilities.
• Engage with experts across the organization to ensure that teams are able to make the right decisions regarding the translational safety risks associated with the project.
• Continuously interact with multiple R&D functions (TMU departments, Research and Development TAs, Research Platforms, etc ..) to identify opportunities to collaborate and utilize technologies across R&D more efficiently.
• Participate in special projects or inter-industry working groups, as needed. Provide scientific input on design and analysis of research activities and contribute to Sanofi Outreach activities.
• Ensure high scientific standards / adhering to requested timelines in all aspects of the position.
• Supervision / Development of laboratory staff and global experts.

Qualifications

• Required: PhD or DVM and post-doctoral experience in toxicology, biochemistry, pharmacology, cell biology or systems biology. In addition, the candidate should have knowledge in biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, biology, physiology, and pathology.
• Required: Solid understanding of the drug discovery and development process based on more than 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical industry in nonclinical drug safety and investigative toxicology.
• Required: Demonstrated knowledge and experience investigating molecular mechanisms of drug action is critical.
• Required: Experience with the design and execution of in vitro/in vivo experiments to determine the effects of therapeutics on biological systems, with line of sight to human safety risk understanding.
• Required: Knowledgeable about regulatory nonclinical testing requirements for pharmaceutical development of biologics and small molecules.
• Required: Strong leadership competencies (as direct manager and transversal leader in a global and complex environment) and demonstrated experience.
• Preferred: Highly motivated, creative, innovative, reliable scientist, with a flexible, collaborative, team-oriented mindset, who solves problems in a goal-focused fashion.
• Preferred: A social personality that contributes to an open, positive, collaborative working climate.
• Preferred: Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills across levels/disciplines.
• Preferred: DABT certification and experience as GLP Study Director is preferred, but not required.