FierceBiotech and FiercePharma Jobs
Head of Assay Development - Advantage ONE Executive Search
Aug 08
Location: San Diego, CACategories: Director
Position Description
Director for Assays. Strategic and hands-on. Will build team in 6 to 12 months. Prefer big pharma background. Prefer regional candidates. Will develop high through-put process. Company is Pre-IPO. AVIVA Biosciences specializes in designing and manufacturing micro-fabricated, multiple force biochips and consumables. Founded in 1999, AVIVA is addressing the needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and academia by advancing cell manipulation and sample preparation technologies. These technologies enable the evolution of novel instrument platforms and biological assays for automation and improved productivity in cell based research and diagnostic procedures. AVIVA offers complete solutions by combining its preparation technologies with partners’ analytical systems. This approach has enabled AVIVA to focus on the development of biochips and related chemistries. By leveraging the marketing and sales expertise of its partnering companies, AVIVA will become the industry standard in biochip solutions.
Responsibilities: 1) Lead the development and implementation of specific cell based assays to identify and validate drug targets; 2) Design assays for HTS campaigns (where applicable); 3) Integrate and analyze the data obtained from assays to support, in conjunction with other company departments, the hit identification and lead optimization process for new discovery, pre-clinical and clinical drug candidates; 4) Manage internal and external resources to meet team and company goals; 5) Protect the company’s freedom to operate safely, innovate along with its intellectual property and trade secrets.
Requirements: Ph. D. in Biochemistry, Molecular/Cell Biology/relevant scientific field, with 8+ years of experience in a drug discovery role in the pharmaceutical industry. Current research experience as well as a proven pharmaceutical discovery and development track record in molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology and integration with biochips. Experience, understanding and a proven track record in the application of cutting edge biochemical and biological tools to discover and validate drug targets. Excellent track record in designing, implementing and managing multidisciplinary research programs to identify and validate drug targets and drug candidates. Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a crossfunctional team setting. Entrepreneurial vision and propensity to identify, seek, and develop business opportunities using a cell biology/chip platform for internal and external collaborative drug-discovery projects.
