Director, Translational Sciences Oncology (Cambridge, MA, US, MA 02139) bei BioNTech

Cambridge, US; Gaithersburg, US; New Jersey, US   |   full time   |   Job ID: 9685 

Position Summary:

We’re looking for a driven translational scientist to join our world-class team Translational Science Oncology Team dedicated to advancing the understanding of tumor and immune biology to help shape the future of cancer treatment. In this role, you’ll lead biomarker strategies for solid tumor oncology programs, turning cutting-edge science into meaningful benefit for patients.

What you’ll do: Lead, implement and execute biomarker and translational strategies for clinical trials in solid tumors. Drive data generation, interpretation, and contributions to publications and regulatory filings. Collaborate with cross-functional teams spanning preclinical lab scientists, clinical, medical, regulatory, commercial, and diagnostics. Partner with top academic collaborators and key opinion leaders to advance our science.

What we’re looking for: Strong scientific background in oncology, immunology and related disciplines. Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across teams while leading cross-functional team. Industry and translational experience in a matrixed environment.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and collaborative spirit – and together we’ll push the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leverage deep expertise and extensive experience in oncology solid tumors to define and execute biomarker strategies that align with clinical development objectives.
• The role will integrate insights and expertise from various translational research functions ensuring a coordinated and innovative approach to biomarker development and clinical implementation.
• Lead cross-functional teams to design, execute, and interpret biomarker data, translating complex findings into actionable insights for development programs.
• Collaborate closely with preclinical, clinical development, diagnostics, clinical pharmacology, bioinformatics, and external partners to create synergistic biomarker and translational strategies.
• Maintain a keen understanding of the external research environment; partner internally and externally on a global scale to coordinate the successful execution of translational development deliverables.
• Develop and implement clear hypothesis-driven biomarker strategies that align with clinical development goals, focusing on patient selection, mechanisms of action, pharmacodynamics, and resistance to optimize therapeutic outcomes and support data-driven decision-making.
• Implement clinically deployable biomarker assays that are fit-for-purpose to accurately measure key biological changes, enabling informed decision making at critical clinical development milestones and supporting dose selection, patient stratification, efficacy evaluation.
• Utilize translational biomarkers to provide early, robust mechanistic and pharmacodynamic evidence that supports go/no-go decisions in clinical development, enabling timely progression or termination of programs based on clear biological and therapeutic responses.
• Communicate data and strategies effectively to development teams, leadership, regulatory bodies, and external partners, ensuring clear alignment and informed decision-making.
• Author and review biomarker sections within clinical trials protocols, regulatory submissions and collaboration agreements, maintaining scientific rigor and compliance.
• Remain current with advances in technology and emerging concepts in oncology, proactively integrating new methodologies into biomarker and translational research.
• Align translational development goals and deliverables by engaging key stakeholders early and continuously, establishing clear communication channels and ensuring shared goals, timelines, and expectations to drive coordinated execution and successful program outcomes.
• Coordinate biomarker related program activities with internal and external stakeholders and driving integration of services, technologies, and capabilities to ensure reaching of program goals.
• Work closely with other translational scientists within the global translational team, actively sharing learnings and facilitating seamless information flow across programs and portfolios to enhance collaboration and accelerate scientific progress.

• The role is accountable to strengthen the interfaces, processes and approaches across functions and teams within BioNTech, and strives for continuous improvement and acceleration.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. or PhD/MD in immunology, oncology or related discipline with strong scientific background in cancer biology
• 6 to 10+ years in oncology clinical development/biomarkers/translational research in biotech/pharmaceutical industry
• Strong scientific background and therapeutic knowledge with understanding of clinical, translational and mechanistic data as evidenced by publications in peer reviewed journals in oncology or immuno-oncology.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of solid tumor oncology with comprehensive awareness of the current clinical landscape, emerging therapies, and competitive scenarios to inform biomarker and translational strategy development.
• Possess working knowledge of key components of the tumor microenvironment and their biomarker potential.
• Possess working knowledge of technological platforms for biomarker measurement, including but not limited to genomics, gene expression profiling, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, enabling effective assay design, data interpretation, and translational application.
• Possess comprehensive knowledge of tumor-immunology disease biology with a strong understanding of dual-action therapies, preferably immuno-angiogenic therapies.
• Exceptional data analysis skills and proven ability to effectively troubleshoot and solve complex problems.
• Experience working in global teams and managing multiple projects; proven leadership as scientific/project/cross-functional lead.
• Eagerness to work in a dynamic environment and comfortable in working in a matrix environment (global/cross-functional).
• Excellent, broad communication skills in various interpersonal settings as well as excellent organization skills and attention to details
• Strong writing skills as demonstrated by authorship of peer-reviewed publications and contributions to regulatory communications/submissions (e.g., briefing documents, clinical protocols, INDs/NDAs)

Your Benefits:

BioNTech is committed to the wellbeing of our team members and offers a variety of benefits in support of our diverse employee base. We offer competitive remuneration packages which is determined by the specific role, location of employment and also the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Note: The availability, eligibility and design of the listed benefits may vary depending on the location. The final requirements for the individual use of our benefits are based on the company's internal policies and applicable law.

How to apply:

Apply now by sending us your application documents including Curriculum Vitae, copy of ID, copies of degree certificates and professional certificates, motivation letter as well as your contact details via our online form.

Please note:

Only applications sent via our online form shall be considered. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that a background check will be conducted as part of the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If you are considered for the position, BioNTech will conduct the background check through our service provider ‘HireRight’. You will be informed accordingly by your BioNTech-Recruiter.

We are looking forward receiving your application.