Director of Immunology

Overview

Simcere Pharmaceutical is expanding its North American R&D footprint with a growing drug discovery team based in Cambridge, MA. We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Director or Associate Director for a leadership role in our Immunology Discovery group. This strategic position is responsible for guiding the early discovery portfolio, driving innovation, and delivering high-quality preclinical candidates across multiple autoimmune and inflammatory disease areas.

The successful candidate will lead a team of talented bench scientists and collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to accelerate discovery programs from target validation through IND-enabling studies.

• Guide and grow the Immunology Early Discovery team to advance programs across respiratory, dermatologic, rheumatologic, and gastrointestinal indications.
• Dene and rene scientif ic strategy and experimental priorities in alignment with portfolio goals and corporate vision.
• Design, execute, and oversee critical experiments to enable key decision points(e.g., Go/No-Go) and advance candidate molecules through the discovery pipeline.
• Serve as a scientif ic leader and mentor to junior and senior scientists, fostering a high-performance and inclusive team culture.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional groups including Medicinal Biologics and Chemistry, Translational Medicine, Preclinical Development, and Clinical teams to ensure seamless program integration.
• Support strategic partnerships and drive scientif ic due diligence for external innovation opportunities in collaboration with Business Development, IP, and Legal teams.
• Represent Simcere at scientif ic conferences, advisory boards, and partnering meetings to enhance visibility and build strategic networks.
• Establish and manage collaborations with top academic institutions and external research organizations.

• PhD with 6+ years, MS with 12+ years, or BS with 14+ years of relevant experience in immunology, pharmacology, or a related discipline, ideally within a biotech or pharmaceutical R&D setting.
• Deep expertise in immunology and autoimmune disease biology with a strong publication record and demonstrated impact in advancing therapeutic programs.
• Proven leadership in early-stage drug discovery, including target validation, in vivo/ex vivo pharmacology, and IND-enabling studies.
• Track record of managing, mentoring, and inspiring high-performing scientific teams.
• Experience with biologics, small molecules, or RNA-based therapeutics is highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence and collaborate across a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, adapt to change, and drive innovation.