Executive Director​/VP of Research

Pathfinder Oncology, Inc. (PFO) —  — is a dynamic oncology company headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Founded with agility and purpose, PFO is committed to guiding clients through the complexities of cancer care with personalized navigation and transformative therapies.

At the heart of our philosophy is a bold thesis: long‑term, exceptional outcomes in metastatic cancer require the activation and harnessing of anti‑tumor immunity. Our mission is to optimize each client’s potential for extraordinary results by combining a concierge‑style care model with a suite of cutting‑edge technologies and therapeutics. We don’t just treat cancer—we design individualized therapeutic pathways that reflect the unique biology and needs of each client.

PFO specializes in the development and delivery of highly tailored, often first‑of‑their‑kind treatments. Some of these include:

• Bespoke peptide vaccines informed by tumor‑specific genomic and proteomic profiles
• Personalized TCR‑T cell therapies
• Biologically driven, pathway‑based therapeutic regimens

Our team comprises globally recognized leaders in cancer immuno‑oncology, spanning drug development, multi‑omics data interpretation, and—most importantly—compassionate client care. United by a shared vision, we are reshaping the cancer care paradigm to ensure every client receives not only advanced treatment, but also the best possible chance at an exceptional outcome.

• Design and execute patient‑specific research programs focused on oncology immunotherapy, including leading the development of novel immunotherapeutic agents, characterization of immune responses, and assessment of treatment efficacy
• Assess results of experiments and provide comprehensive reports and presentations based on research findings to effectively communicate conclusions to scientific staff and senior management.
• Manage the PFO portfolio of research projects and help manage projects conducted by other PFO scientists.
• Identify potential collaborators and lead scientific collaborations between internal PFO team and external scientists, researchers, and clinicians
• Lead scientific research discussions internally and externally with patient care teams, sharing insights and contributing to strategic decisions
• Apply research information in real‑time across various professional settings.
• Collaborate closely with patients and their care teams to understand their medical history and treatment journey, ensuring personalized and effective care.
• Actively participate in patient tumor boards, internal care management teams, therapeutic development meetings, and direct patient engagements, contributing valuable insights and expertise.

• 10+ years leading scientific research and teams, industry experience highly preferred
• Ph.D. or MD/PHD in Immunology, Oncology, Molecular Biology, or a related field
• Extensive experience in oncology or immuno‑oncology research, multi‑omics analysis of cancer, and bioinformatics (or close collaboration with bioinformatics scientists).
• Expertise designing and driving strategic research programs
• In‑depth knowledge of immunological techniques and cancer biology.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISpot, PCR, cell culture, and immunohistochemistry.
• Experience in analyzing, interpreting and communicating experimental data using appropriate statistical methods and visualization software.
• Exceptional client‑facing communication skills in all forms – verbal, written, virtual, and in‑person. Professional, responsive, organized, and precise. Patient clients, their care team, and external collaborators trust and rely on your commitment, follow‑through and accuracy of communication.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Comfortable with technology and multiple platforms for patient collaboration, internal communication, and documentation.

At PFO, we value team collaboration and a passion for excellence. All members of the PFO team should demonstrate the following:

• Drive to facilitate the best outcomes for our patients
• Dedication to go above and beyond, including adjusting work schedules to meet time‑sensitive patient commitments
• Ownership of your work, continuously driving projects to completion
• Flexibility to meet the needs of patients in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment
• Curiosity for continued learning and growth
• Willingness to challenge assumptions in a productive and thoughtful manner

This position is an in‑person role in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Salary is based on experience and expertise and will vary depending on multiple factors. Health insurance, PTO and other benefits are part of the PFO offering.

Executive

Full‑time

Business Development and Sales

Health and Human Services