Director, Oligo Team Lead

The role

You will guide the strategy and execution of shuttled oligonucleotide therapeutics programs. You will lead scientific staff in designing, screening, and evaluating tissue-targeted oligonucleotides and lead cross-functional drug discovery teams.

What you will do

• Build and lead an oligonucleotide therapeutic discovery team including internal and outsourced expertise.
• Lead 1-2 cross-functional drug discovery project teams.
• Work with leadership to prioritize high-value therapeutic targets.
• Define target product profiles and track progress to deliver on them.
• Track advances in the field and provide strategic direction for oligo discovery efforts.
• Communicate scientific progress and challenges to team members, leadership, and collaborators.
• Establish and optimize screening and production systems using multiplexed in vivo screening capabilities.
• Serve as oligonucleotide therapeutic subject matter expert for partners, collaborators, and investors.

Required qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (chemistry, biochemistry, nucleic acid chemistry/biology, biophysics, molecular biology, pharmacology or related discipline)
• Minimum of 10 years post-PhD experience, including experience in industry drug-discovery programs
• Diverse experience with multiple oligonucleotide modalities (ASOs, siRNAs, aptamers, mRNA), different backbone chemistries/modifications
• Knowledge of proven and emerging technologies for delivering oligo medicines to cellular targets (LNPs, passive or active targeting moieties, etc.)
• Experience progressing oligonucleotide therapies from early discovery through IND-enabling preclinical activities / early clinical development
• Demonstrated leadership of effective specialized and cross-functional scientific teams
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior scientists
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice to have

• Experience designing and interpreting in vitro and in vivo systems assessing oligonucleotide efficacy and safety
• Strong background in the engineering of optimized oligonucleotide conjugates, including linker discovery and bioconjugation optimization
• Experience building and/or optimizing platforms for oligo design, synthesis, and screening
• Understanding of DMPK, toxicology, developability, and CMC considerations specific to oligos
• Track record of successful partnerships and external collaborations

Benefits

• Annual performance-based target bonus
• Stock options
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Flexible paid time off and holidays
• On-site gym
• Onsite lunch
• Commuter support

About the company

Manifold Bio is a platform biotechnology company pioneering AI-guided protein design and massively multiplexed in vivo screening. The team works across a full stack of protein engineers, biologists, and computational scientists to pursue programs internally and with pharma companies.