Eisai, Inc Hiring for Senior Director, Head of Neurology Discovery job in Cambridge Full Time

At Eisai, satisfying unmet medical needs and increasing the benefits healthcare provides to patients, their families, and caregivers is Eisai’s human health care (hhc) mission. We’re a growing pharmaceutical company that is breaking through in neurology and oncology, with a strong emphasis on research and development. Our history includes the development of many innovative medicines, notably the discovery of the world’s most widely-used treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. As we continue to expand, we are seeking highly-motivated individuals who want to work in a fast-paced environment and make a difference. If this is your profile, we want to hear from you.

Senior Director, Head of Neurology Discovery

General Summary:

At Eisai, satisfying unmet medical needs and increasing the benefits healthcare provides to patients, their families, and caregivers is Eisai’s human health care (hhc) mission. We’re a growing pharmaceutical company that is breaking through in neurology and oncology, with a strong emphasis on research and development. Our history includes the development of many innovative medicines, notably the discovery of the world’s most widely-used treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. As we continue to expand, we are seeking highly-motivated individuals who want to work in a fast-paced environment and make a difference. If this is your profile, we want to hear from you.

Eisai has been dedicated for decades to the pursuit of novel therapeutics to improve the lives of people suffering from dementia and their families. Recognizing the potential for human genetics, data sciences and precision chemistry to disrupt the drug discovery paradigm, Eisai launched the Eisai Center for Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery (G2D2) in 2019 to accelerate the discovery of innovative therapeutics. While dementia drug discovery research is the main focus of G2D2, colleagues based here also contribute to Eisai’s efforts in developing new therapeutics for oncology and neglected tropical diseases. G2D2 is a unique drug discovery organization driven by a diverse group of passionate, dedicated and collaborative scientists committed to one goal: delivering breakthroughs for patients and their families. All Eisai employees, as part of the company’s human health care (hhc) mission, spend at least 1% of their working time with patients and families to ensure that the innovation we drive is based on an understanding of their real needs.

G2D2’s cutting-edge 50,000-square-foot facility is strategically located in Cambridge, MA, to accelerate collaborations with leading research institutes in this world-class biotech hub. Our facility has been designed around an open-lab concept, enabling scientists with multi-disciplinary backgrounds to work together in a single integrated lab space. Our labs include state-of-the-art capabilities that support the variety of disciplines located at the site, including medicinal and process chemistry, in-vitro and in-vivo biology, microscopy, DMPK, drug safety, chemical and structural biology, automation and screening, and more. G2D2 is also home to members of Eisai’s global discovery data science teams, which utilize cutting-edge analytical approaches. Our office is designed to foster an atmosphere of mission-driven and collaborative science, using new collaboration tools and technologies, and has been optimized to support a hybrid work environment.

At Eisai, we highly value both internal and external collaboration and pursue flexible research models with a range of external scientific partners to accelerate delivery of innovative medicines. To this end, the G2D2 facility includes the Eisai Innovation Center Biolabs, which provides space and infrastructure to start-up/spin-out companies conducting high-risk but potentially transformative research that can impact the discovery of breakthrough therapeutics.

More information about G2D2 is provided here (http://eisai.mediaroom.com/2018-06-12-Eisai-Inc-to-Launch-Center-for-Genetics-Guided-Dementia-Discovery-in-Cambridge-Massachusetts) and here (https://us.eisai.com/research/g2d2), and information about Eisai’s strategy and pipeline is provided here (https://www.eisai.com/index.html).

Job Summary:

The Senior Director, Head of Neurology Discovery will lead a local team of multi-disciplinary scientists with expertise in neuroscience, immunology, and chemistry to drive and deliver a neurology drug discovery portfolio targeting the brain microenvironment premised upon robust insights from human biology. The role involves guiding all aspects of the discovery process, spanning concept validation, lead identification and optimization, and execution of preclinical studies for submission. In addition, the successful candidate will be a member of the global Microenvironment Dynamics domain leadership team, managing the successful prioritization and development of a portfolio that includes programs targeting oncology in addition to neurodegeneration.

This person will also serve as a key member of the local G2D2 leadership team, contributing to all aspects of overall site strategy and culture and resource allocation. This person is also expected to lead and contribute to collaborations internally (with Eisai’s global network of research sites) and externally (with academic or commercial partners).

This role necessitates expert knowledge in neurodegeneration as pertains to drug discovery, a track record of successfully guiding drug discovery projects from inception to clinical development, and strong experience in guiding resource allocation and prioritization. As this role requires direct supervision of several senior scientists, experience of successfully leading and mentoring drug discovery biology teams is critical.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Leadership of the Microenvironment Dynamics team at the G2D2 site:

• Oversee all aspects of discovery experimental work. Provide strategic expertise and leadership in neurodegeneration drug discovery.
• Ensure progression of programs to meet drug discovery milestones and timelines while efficiently utilizing budgetary and human resources.
• Encourage cross-cutting interaction, collaboration and synergy among multi-disciplinary global teams. Interface with data sciences, precision chemistry, discovery technologies, DMPK, and operations functions locally and globally.
• Supervise and mentor the team, providing excellent career and professional development.
• Maintain high standards for research integrity.

2. Serve on scientific and organizational leadership teams

• Represent the G2D2 site in the global Microenvironment Dynamics leadership team, which spans three geographic sites (including two in Japan) and two major therapeutic areas (neurodegeneration and oncology). Provide key strategic input into project prioritization and resource allocation.
• Represent Microenvironment Dynamics group on the G2D2 Site Leadership Team to ensure appropriate resourcing and prioritization that aligns with the overall mission of the organization
• Provide expert input to project team leaders on scientific strategy and focus, and propose new strategic initiatives as appropriate.
• Work in close concert with translational and clinical functions to ensure strong alignment of organization with overall end-to-end strategy.
• Represent site in presentations to corporate senior leadership.

3. Realize external collaboration

• Identify and serve as scientific expert for external scientific collaboration opportunities in drug discovery.

Qualifications/Skills:

• PhD in Neuroscience or related discipline preferred, but extensive relevant experience with educational training in a different discipline (e.g. medicinal chemistry) will also be considered.
• 10+ years of experience in a drug discovery setting
• Scientific expertise in neurology drug discovery.
• Proven track-record in drug discovery, spanning ideation/target discovery to clinical introduction, including IND filing.
• Strong knowledge of all drug discovery components and functions. Able to interact effectively with multiple scientific stakeholders (including data science, screening, DMPK, safety, translational, clinical) to drive drug discovery programs.
• Able to effectively mentor and develop junior scientists to become future scientific leaders.
• Exceptional communication and project management skills.
• Able to accurately represent an excellent image of Eisai science externally

Eisai is an equal opportunity employer and as such, is committed in policy and in practice to recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. Similarly, considering the need for reasonable accommodations, Eisai prohibits discrimination against persons because of disability, including disabled veterans.

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