Senior Director, Hepatology Translational Biology

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In the Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation Research Unit (RIIRU), we combine deep scientific expertise, leading datasets and innovative technologies to discover and develop medicines that address underlying organ dysfunction and disease. Our teams work across the R&D lifecycle, from early discovery through clinical development and launch, with a shared ambition to deliver meaningful outcomes for patients.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Director to join the Translational Biology Unit and provide scientific leadership for our hepatology portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Hepatology Translational Biology, this senior individual contributor will bring deep expertise in preclinical biology and forward and reverse translation, shaping strategy and advancing programmes in MASH, ALD and associated cardiometabolic co-morbidities, including cardiovascular disease and obesity. Working across the RIIRU hepatology matrix, you will connect human disease biology with target science, biomarkers and clinical development, ensuring strong human relevance of preclinical evidence and helping to de-risk translation into the clinic. You will also shape high-impact academic collaborations and provide scientific leadership for business development opportunities that strengthen and accelerate the portfolio.

The role offers significant influence across an established and diverse hepatology portfolio spanning clinical-stage programmes, preclinical projects and target identification. As a key leader within the Hepatology Disease Area Acceleration Team, you will help align patient biology, target hypotheses, translational strategies, biomarkers and clinical endpoints across discovery and development. Working closely with Translational Biology, disease-area biology, Clinical and Translational Sciences and senior portfolio leaders, you will use human data and reverse translation to guide evidence-based decisions and advance differentiated medicines with meaningful potential for patients.

For candidates seeking to be located at our Stevenage site, this role will temporarily be based at Stevenage. However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK. The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge, UK in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company. The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029.

In this role you will

• Provide scientific leadership across a portfolio of discovery and clinical-stage hepatology programs focused on MASH, ALD, and more broadly liver disease with cardiometabolic comorbidities.

• Define and drive human-relevant mechanistic hypotheses, target validation strategies, and translational plans that strengthen confidence in clinical success.

• Partner with Research & Development Technologies, Translational Sciences, and disease-area experts to identify, validate, and advance novel therapeutic opportunities.

• Lead development of biomarker strategies spanning target engagement, pharmacodynamics, disease activity, patient stratification, and clinical decision-making.

• Anticipate emerging scientific and competitive trends and translate insights into evidence based portfolio recommendations.

• Influence scientific direction and decision-making across cross-functional teams through data driven leadership and expert judgment.

• Align stakeholders around key experiments, success criteria, translational strategies, and

portfolio priorities.

• Ensure rigorous scientific standards, reproducibility, and fit-for-purpose model selection across discovery and translational research activities.

• Provide mentorship and scientific guidance to project teams and colleagues across the matrix.

• Partner closely with biology, clinical development, translational medicine, biostatistics, DMPK, pathology, safety, and platform teams to deliver integrated development strategies.

• Translate complex preclinical and clinical datasets into actionable insights that inform target selection, patient stratification, and study design.

• Drive efficient target progression and support clinical programs through integrated translational plans.

• Champion innovative approaches, technologies, and model systems that enhance portfolio differentiation and translational success.

• Establish and lead strategic collaborations with academic institutions, CROs, biotechnology companies, and key opinion leaders.

• Build and maintain a network of external experts to access emerging science, novel technologies, and unique research capabilities.

• Contribute scientific leadership to evaluation and diligence activities for external opportunities.

• Assess target biology, translational evidence, competitive differentiation, and portfolio fit to support investment decisions.

• Ensure research activities are conducted in compliance with applicable policies, ethical standards, and quality expectations.

• Help optimize portfolio investments by prioritizing critical-path activities and recommending effective deployment of internal and external resources.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• MD/PhD or PhD in cell or molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology, hepatology or a related discipline with extensive experience in preclinical biology and forward and reverse translation in liver disease.
• Extensive experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, with a focus on hepatology therapeutics (MASH and ALD) and a strong understanding of target mechanisms and translational evidence needed to support early clinical development.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a senior individual contributor and scientific thought leader, influencing decisions in a matrix environment through data-driven recommendations, clear communication, and strong collaboration.
• Experience leading and managing external collaborations and diligence of business development opportunities.
• Proven track record of advancing targets and/or assets through key discovery and early development milestones, including development of fit-for-purpose translational packages (e.g., mechanistic rationale, human relevance, biomarker strategy, and clinical hypothesis support).
• Strong knowledge of hepatology disease biology (MASH and ALD), pathways and mechanisms, and an appreciation of relevant co-morbidities (e.g., cardiovascular disease and obesity) that shape patient biology, endpoints, and clinical development strategy

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

Please note the following skills are not necessary, just preferred, if you do not have them, please still apply:

• Demonstrated strength as a translational scientist who can work with the Hepatology Disease Area Acceleration Team, the Hepatology Clinical Research Head, and aligned Early Development and Medicine Development Leaders to interpret complex data and external trends; connect preclinical findings to clinical endpoints; and provide scientific recommendations on indication expansion, patient stratification, biomarker strategy, and potential business development opportunities (including assets spanning cardiometabolic comorbidities).
• Strong business acumen and understanding of commercial aspects, including marketing, sales, and market access.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the pharmaceutical industry.

This role sits in an established but evolving portfolio and requires a leader who can add deep expertise immediately, while working collaboratively across shared resources and governance. The successful candidate will combine scientific authority with humility, clear communication and a strong bias towards action. Travel is expected to be reasonable and purposeful, including scientific conferences and occasional international collaboration meetings.

Closing Date for Applications – Sunday 15th November

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Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. 
When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

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