Principal Scientist and Head of Molecular Pharmacology

Fulcrum Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients with genetically defined rare diseases in areas of high unmet medical need. Fulcrum is deeply committed to bringing hope and new options to patients suffering from rare hematologic diseases, and is developing a pipeline of clinical and preclinical assets. Fulcrum's lead clinical asset is Pociredir, a first-in-class small molecule designed to increase the expression of fetal hemoglobin for the treatment of sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies, including beta-thalassemia. Fulcrum's preclinical pipeline includes novel treatments for Inherited Bone Marrow Disorders, with an emphasis on the discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents for the potential treatment of Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA). We are actively expanding our preclinical benign hematology pipeline and seek an enthusiastic and experienced leader to head our assay development efforts.

Description

The Head of Molecular Pharmacology will be a highly driven scientific leader who is dedicated to performing great science that transforms patients' lives. They are drug hunters and will lead our Molecular Pharmacology function, playing a pivotal role in discovery strategy and in building the early-stage portfolio. The successful candidate will partner with colleagues in biology and medicinal chemistry to develop and implement innovative assay strategies for new projects. As a highly experienced and technically proficient scientist, the Head of Molecular Pharmacology is expected to play a large role in the mentorship and development of their team, exemplifying a "lead-from-the-bench" approach to achieving results in a fast-paced work environment.

Responsibilities

• Guide scientific research with the goal of enabling the discovery of first-in-class treatments for various benign hematology indications
• Supervision of a team of internal and external cell biologists and enzymologists toward enabling both cell-based and biochemical assays for discovery of novel hits and prosecution of active drug discovery efforts
• Hands-on contribution to assay development and troubleshooting
• Work cross-functionally with team and colleagues to design and implement strategies to confirm and elucidate new target biology
• Provide expertise to phenotypic assay deconvolution efforts
• Protein construct design for crystallography and potency/biophysical assays
• Support of biomarker discovery efforts to enable future clinical programs
• In-source capability and out-source capacity by establishing strategic and highly productive partnerships with leading CROs; teach your team how to lead in the absence of a line reporting relationship through your effective management of these relationships
• Interface with internal and external KOL networks for input on target hypotheses, models, and technologies

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a similar discipline
• 8+ years of professional assay development experience for small molecule therapeutics, with expertise in both biochemical and cell-based formats
• Deep understanding of enzymology and drug-target kinetics
• Experience optimizing assays for high-throughput screening, designing and managing screening campaigns
• Familiarity with ELISA, MS, HPLC, SPR, RT-qPCR, TR-FRET, and high content imaging techniques
• Multiomics target ID and phenotypic screening deconvolution a plus
• Experience in the benign hematology space and working with hematopoietic lineage cells is desirable
• Proven track record of performing research with the goal of discovering new medicines; has served as a project team leader or co-leader for a drug discovery program that successfully identified a development candidate
• Experience managing PhD-level reports and the ability to successfully manage both cell biology and enzymology specialists
• Desire to learn and tackle new challenges and initiatives; responds to stress with humor and professionalism
• Possesses a high degree of scientific discretion, intuition and integrity
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate effectively to non-technical audiences
• Fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment

Base Salary Pay Range

$162,000-$176,000 USD