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(Sr/Exec) Director, Biology (Virology)

Location: [Seattle, WA / Bay Area | Hybrid]

Company: Stealth-mode Biotechnology Company

The Role

The Director, Biology (Virology) will be a key scientific leader within the discovery organization, responsible for driving virology strategy and execution across all antiviral programs. Will lead hands-on efforts spanning target validation, assay development, candidate profiling, and translational virology, with direct impact on development candidate selection and IND-enabling readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Virology Strategy & Program Leadership

• Lead virology efforts across one or more programs, aligning with broader discovery strategy set by senior leadership
• Drive target validation and mechanistic understanding of viral infection, pathogenesis, and immune protection
• Contribute to candidate profile definition (potency, breadth, durability) grounded in viral biology and clinical context

Virology & Antiviral Discovery Execution

• Design, develop, and oversee virologically relevant assay systems, including:
• Viral neutralization assays (live virus and pseudovirus)
• Cell-based infection models using clinically relevant strains and variants
• High-throughput or medium-throughput screening assays for biologic candidates
• Lead viral isolate sourcing, propagation, and characterization, including variant panels relevant to clinical strategy
• Drive mechanistic studies of viral entry, replication, and immune evasion
• Execute and/or oversee epitope mapping, escape analysis, and resistance profiling
• Integrate in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate antiviral activity and translational relevance
• Define and interpret correlates of protection and functional immune readouts

Candidate Advancement & IND-Enabling Support

• Generate decision-quality data packages to support candidate selection and progression
• Partner in the design and execution of:
• In vivo pharmacology and efficacy studies
• PK/PD and dose-response characterization
• Nonclinical safety and toxicology studies (in collaboration with development teams)
• Ensure virology and pharmacology data are aligned with regulatory expectations for IND-enabling packages
• Contribute to IND documentation and regulatory interactions as needed

Externalized Research & Operations

• Manage and execute a hybrid internal/external research model, including CROs, academic collaborators, and specialized virology labs
• Serve as a key scientific point of contact for external partners, ensuring high-quality data generation and timelines
• Maintain high standards for experimental design, data integrity, and reproducibility

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with protein sciences, antibody engineering, DMPK, toxicology, and CMC teams to ensure integrated candidate development
• Contribute to cross-functional decision-making, balancing potency, breadth, developability, and timelines
• Communicate data and insights clearly to senior leadership and broader teams

Scientific Engagement

• Stay current with emerging science in virology, immunology, and antiviral therapeutics
• Engage with external experts and KOLs to inform program strategy

Qualifications

Required

• PhD (or equivalent) in virology, immunology, or related field
• 10–15 years of relevant experience in biotech or pharma
• Deep expertise in viral biology and in vitro/in vivo virology systems
• Demonstrated experience advancing biologic or antiviral programs in discovery and preclinical stages
• Strong track record of hands-on experimental leadership and program execution

Strongly Preferred

• Direct experience with antiviral monoclonal antibodies or protein-based therapeutics
• Experience with respiratory viruses (e.g., RSV, influenza, coronaviruses)
• Familiarity with IND-enabling studies and regulatory expectations
• Experience working in externally enabled research models (CROs/academic labs)

Leadership Profile

• Scientifically rigorous and detail-oriented, with strong experimental instincts
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to influence across functions without formal authority
• Execution-focused, with a bias toward clarity, speed, and decision-making
• Comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving startup environment