Senior Director, GI & Inflammatory Disease Research
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals
August 07, 2026
On-site
Lexington, MA
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Lead disease biology strategy for discovery and preclinical-stage programs (protease, immune-mediated, and GI diseases).
- Develop mechanistic understanding of disease pathways and translate insights into therapeutic opportunities.
- Establish and oversee translational disease biology plans to progress assets from discovery through clinical proof-of-concept.
- Evaluate emerging biology, competitive intelligence, and therapeutic opportunities in protease/GI disease and inflammatory pathways.
- Partner with DMPK, toxicology, bioanalytics, and clinical pharmacology to establish development strategies.
- Support first-in-human dose-escalation and proof-of-concept studies using integrated nonclinical and emerging clinical data.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams to influence portfolio strategy; collaborate with Clinical Development, CMC, Regulatory, and Program Leadership for research-to-clinical translation.
- Present program recommendations and scientific strategy to executive leadership and stakeholders.
- Mentor and develop the disease biology team; foster scientific excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
Standout Skills:
- Expertise in protease biology, immunology, and GI disease biology.
- Track record advancing biologic therapeutics from discovery through clinical development.
- Translate complex biology into development/translational strategies; lead cross-functional matrix teams.
Qualifications:
- PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Immunology, Cell/Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Gastroenterology, or related field.
- 15+ years biotech/pharma experience with significant leadership.
- Demonstrated success advancing programs from discovery through IND and into clinical development; extensive biologic development experience.
- Inflammatory/autoimmune/GI disease biology experience preferred.
Pay Range:
- $293,940 - $310,500 USD
- Lead disease biology strategy for discovery and preclinical-stage programs (protease, immune-mediated, and GI diseases).
- Develop mechanistic understanding of disease pathways and translate insights into therapeutic opportunities.
- Establish and oversee translational disease biology plans to progress assets from discovery through clinical proof-of-concept.
- Evaluate emerging biology, competitive intelligence, and therapeutic opportunities in protease/GI disease and inflammatory pathways.
- Partner with DMPK, toxicology, bioanalytics, and clinical pharmacology to establish development strategies.
- Support first-in-human dose-escalation and proof-of-concept studies using integrated nonclinical and emerging clinical data.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams to influence portfolio strategy; collaborate with Clinical Development, CMC, Regulatory, and Program Leadership for research-to-clinical translation.
- Present program recommendations and scientific strategy to executive leadership and stakeholders.
- Mentor and develop the disease biology team; foster scientific excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
Standout Skills:
- Expertise in protease biology, immunology, and GI disease biology.
- Track record advancing biologic therapeutics from discovery through clinical development.
- Translate complex biology into development/translational strategies; lead cross-functional matrix teams.
Qualifications:
- PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Immunology, Cell/Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Gastroenterology, or related field.
- 15+ years biotech/pharma experience with significant leadership.
- Demonstrated success advancing programs from discovery through IND and into clinical development; extensive biologic development experience.
- Inflammatory/autoimmune/GI disease biology experience preferred.
Pay Range:
- $293,940 - $310,500 USD