Key Responsibilities

Study design and execution

• Lead in vivo pharmacology for assigned ADC programs, from target validation through IND-enabling efficacy packages, within the strategy set by research leadership.
• Design and execute efficacy and PK/PD studies using cell-line-derived xenograft (CDX), patient-derived xenograft (PDX), and, where relevant, syngeneic and humanized models, selecting models on the basis of target expression, heterogeneity, and clinical relevance rather than convenience.
• Run dose-fractionation, dose-range, and schedule-optimization studies that distinguish payload-driven, target-mediated, and antibody-driven contributions to activity and tolerability.

PK/PD and translational analysis

• Analyze exposure-response relationships linking ADC, total antibody, and free-payload exposure to tumor pharmacodynamics and efficacy.
• Develop PK/PD relationships that support human dose projection, therapeutic-index estimation, and the efficacious-exposure rationale for first-in-human dosing, in partnership with DMPK.
• Fold target expression, internalization/trafficking kinetics, bystander activity, and payload potency into the interpretation that informs molecule design and selection.

Mechanistic and biomarker work

• Design PD-marker and tumor-biology readouts (target engagement, payload delivery, DNA damage or tubulin markers, apoptosis, immune contexture as relevant) to confirm mechanism of action in vivo.
• Investigate resistance mechanisms, antigen heterogeneity, and tumor-penetration limitations, and feed those findings back into discovery.
• Support biomarker and translational teams in defining clinically deployable pharmacodynamic and patient-selection markers.

Operations and collaboration

• Execute in vivo studies to the highest standards of rigor, reproducibility, animal welfare, and IACUC compliance.
• Select, qualify, and manage specialty in vivo CROs; hold external partners to internal standards for data quality and turnaround.
• Serve as the in vivo pharmacology representative on project teams, and present efficacy and translational results to project teams and research leadership.
• Mentor junior scientists and, as the team grows, take on direct people-management responsibility.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in pharmacology, cancer biology, immunology, or a related discipline (or MD/PhD), with 7+ years of drug discovery experience in a biotech or pharma preclinical setting.
• Demonstrated ownership of in vivo oncology pharmacology programs, with a track record of contributing to candidate advancement toward development candidate nomination and/or IND.
• Deep, hands-on expertise in tumor efficacy modeling (CDX/PDX at minimum) and in the design and interpretation of dose-response and schedule studies.
• Working command of PK/PD principles and translational dose projection; comfort interpreting exposure-response data quantitatively.
• Experience managing in vivo CROs and running internal studies, with fluency in IACUC and animal-welfare requirements.

Strongly preferred

• Direct experience with ADCs or other targeted-payload modalities (bispecifics, radioligand therapies), including working knowledge of linker/payload biology, internalization and trafficking, and bystander effects.
• Familiarity with syngeneic and humanized-immune-system models and their appropriate use.
• Experience contributing to regulatory documents (IND, IB) and to first-in-human dose rationale.
• Prior mentorship or line-management experience; publication or patent record reflecting scientific impact.