Director, In vivo Expert, CVRI; Cardiovascular, Renal & Immunology

Bayer has an opening for a Director to join our Cardiorenal In Vivo Research group based at the Bayer Innovation Campus at the heart of Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA, to further strengthen in vivo disease modelling and help build up a team of researchers at this site.

• Design, supervise and lead the execution of rodent in vivo mechanistic and disease models to support target identification, therapeutic candidate characterization, and mechanism of action evaluations utilizing internal and external resources (CROs) efficiently.
• Lead multiple drug discovery programs, initiatives, or external collaborations in Research / Early Development (RED) CVRI from target identification through support of early clinical development.
• Provide expert opinion in Target  or early research teams, offering disease-biology and in‑vivo model expertise to identify and advance projects within the global Bayer strategic framework.
• Act as disease biology lead in preclinical programs, ensuring excellence in biology sounding, alignment, and timely delivery of pharmacology related deliveries to advance programs toward milestones and go/no‑go decisions, including concise and regular presentation of program results to senior stakeholders.
• Support and contribute to the strategic development of the capability cluster “In Vivo”, demonstrating scientific leadership and seeking innovative solutions internally and externally in the application of in‑vivo models to support our discovery pipeline.
• Support and contribute to the drug development strategy of CVRI, with particular focus on cardio‑renal diseases and the intersection of the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic space.
• Collaborate with other R&D functions and support cross‑team and cross‑site activities.
• Contribute key documentation and presentations for projects moving through internal review stage gates and regulatory submissions.
• Employ VACC (Visionary, Architect, Coach, Catalyst) leadership principles to support management and coaching of research associates and junior scientists in a global matrix organization.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues and interdisciplinary teams both within Bayer and with external collaborators.
• Assess external targets and programs to understand the competitive landscape and identify potential opportunities for collaboration, in‑licensing or technological innovation.
• Maintain and extend a network with external partners from academia, contract research organizations and medical experts, with particular emphasis on the local Boston landscape.
• Foster creativity and motivation between scientists.
• Ensure that all tasks are aligned with respect to HSE guidelines, animal welfare law, documentation, and good research practices.

Required qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biology (Cellular, Molecular or Developmental Biology), Biochemistry, or related life science field is required.
• Strong background in cardio‑renal is essential, and further expertise in cardiovascular or metabolic space would be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated track record in the drug discovery process in a pharmaceutical or biotech setting.
• A deep knowledge and hands‑on experience in designing and establishing translatable in‑vivo rodent disease models to aid target identification and therapeutic evaluation.
• Deep expertise in the application of state‑of‑the‑art in‑vivo models across the drug discovery process (including rodent mechanistic and disease models with clinically relevant read‑outs and endpoints).
• Experience in the design and execution of early‑stage research program(s) to identify and validate novel targets.
• Experience in strategic planning and project leadership.

Preferred qualifications:

• 12+ years of relevant post‑Ph.D. experience including 4+ years in industry is preferred, with a proven record of successful drug discovery team leadership and interaction with collaborators.

Salary: $ - $ (estimate, may vary).

United States:
Massachusetts:
Cambridge;
United States:
Massachusetts:
Boston

Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans. Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s). Bayer is an E‑Verify Employer.

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