Director, Oncology (Contract, 1 year)
About the Company
PineTree Therapeutics is an innovative biotech company pioneering multispecific degrader antibodies to revolutionize cancer treatment. Our proprietary platform is designed to target and degrade membrane-bound and extracellular proteins, offering a new approach to overcoming drug resistance in oncology. We are advancing a robust preclinical pipeline and actively preparing for translational and early clinical development.
To support our rapid growth, we are seeking a Contract Oncology Director to provide scientific and strategic leadership in our oncology programs, oversee pipeline development, and drive MoA assessment and differentiation strategies. This individual will work on-site at our Cambridge, MA headquarters and play a key role in screening and selecting pipeline candidates, optimizing their therapeutic potential, and ensuring their differentiation from competitors.
Job Description
The Contract Oncology Director will be responsible for overseeing the scientific strategy and development of selected oncology pipeline programs, with a strong emphasis on candidate selection, MoA assessment, and differentiation to comparators. This role requires extensive experience with antibody-based therapies, including bispecific and multispecific antibodies, ADCs, and targeted protein degradation strategies. The successful candidate will provide hands-on guidance in preclinical, translational, and IND-enabling activities, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure scientific rigor and strategic alignment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Pipeline Oversight & Strategic Guidance
- Oversee and guide the development of selected oncology pipeline programs, ensuring strategic alignment with PineTree’s multispecific degrader antibody platform.
- Support screening, prioritization, and selection of lead candidates, ensuring a strong scientific rationale and competitive positioning.
- Conduct comparative assessments to benchmark PineTree’s multispecific degraders against existing antibody-based therapies and emerging competitors.
- Identify key opportunities and risks in pipeline programs, ensuring a data-driven decision-making process.
Biology & MoA Assessment
- Lead mechanism of action (MoA) studies to define and validate the biological activity of multispecific degrader antibodies.
- Work with preclinical and translational teams to design and execute functional assays, ensuring a robust understanding of target biology.
- Provide guidance on MoA differentiation, defining key advantages over existing antibody-based, bispecific, and protein degradation therapeutics.
Candidate Screening & Selection
- Evaluate novel target opportunities and lead molecules, ensuring they meet scientific and clinical viability criteria.
- Design and oversee preclinical screening strategies.
- Ensure alignment between preclinical data, competitive intelligence, and clinical feasibility when selecting lead candidates.
- Recommend go/no-go decisions based on preclinical data packages and emerging biological insights.
IND-Enabling & Regulatory Strategy
- Support IND-enabling activities, including the preparation of preclinical data packages, regulatory filings (IND, IB), and regulatory interactions (FDA, EMA).
- Work closely with CMC, pharmacology, and translational teams to ensure seamless transition from preclinical to clinical development.
- Provide scientific and strategic input into clinical trial design, including indication selection and biomarker-driven patient stratification.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & External Engagement
- Collaborate closely with R&D, Business Development, and Translational teams to align scientific efforts with corporate strategy.
- Mentor and support junior scientists and research associates, fostering a culture of scientific excellence.
- Represent PineTree at scientific conferences, KOL meetings, and investor presentations to communicate the differentiation and impact of our platform.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Ph.D., M.D. in oncology, immunology, molecular biology, or a related field.
- 10+ years of industry experience in oncology drug development, with extensive expertise in antibody-based therapies.
- Strong background in bispecific/multispecific antibodies, ADCs, and targeted protein degradation.
- Proven track record of advancing oncology therapeutics from preclinical to clinical development.
- Experience in biotech, pharma, or translational research environments is essential.
- Background working with targeted protein degradation and ADCs is a plus.
Scientific & Technical Expertise
- Deep expertise in tumor biology, cancer signaling pathways, and drug resistance mechanisms.
- Strong knowledge of mechanism of action (MoA) studies, target biology, and differentiation strategies for antibody-based and degrader therapeutics.
- Hands-on experience designing in vitro and in vivo assays for candidate screening and validation.
- Familiarity with regulatory expectations for IND-enabling studies and translational planning.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Strong ability to lead cross-functional scientific teams, mentor researchers, and align internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex scientific concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strategic mindset with a problem-solving and data-driven approach to decision-making.
Location:
Full-time, on-site position at PineTree Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA.
Contract Duration:
1 Year (with potential for extension based on performance and business needs).
What We Offer
- Opportunity to be at the forefront of oncology research, contributing to the development of next-generation cancer therapies.
- A collaborative, supportive, and inclusive work environment where innovation thrives, and career development is encouraged.
- Competitive compensation package, including comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional growth.
We seek candidates with a passion for building a creative company culture that is collaborative, multidisciplinary, and committed to make a transformative impact to our industry. To be successful in this role, we look for passion in scientific innovation, adept business skills, and excitement about working in a dynamic startup environment. A demonstrable track record of success in functioning as part of a project team is essential. Pinetree Therapeutics offers highly competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical and dental insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) with a generous company match.
Pinetree is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Pinetree will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Pinetree does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Pinetree, and Pinetree will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.
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