Associate Director, Biology

Disc Medicine

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join our team in a dynamic hybrid role, offering flexibility to work remotely and from our headquarters in Watertown, MA. COMPANY OVERVIEW: Disc Medicine is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing novel treatments for patients who suffer from serious hematologic diseases. We are building a portfolio of innovative, first-in-class therapeutic candidates that aim to address a wide spectrum of hematologic diseases by targeting fundamental biological pathways of red blood cell biology, specifically heme biosynthesis and iron homeostasis. Disc Medicine values collaboration, professional development, and scientific integrity and promotes an inclusive company culture that empowers and inspires. POSITION OVERVIEW: Reporting to our Senior Director, Biology & Innovation Research, we are seeking an experienced Biologist who will join Disc’s Innovation team as a Principal Scientist/Associate Director. This individual will lead discovery projects for biologics, design and oversee in vitro and in vivo studies to advance our discovery pipeline and effectively communicate project updates. The Principal Scientist will contribute across the portfolio to projects at various discovery and development stages with meaningful opportunities for professional development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• 10 -12 years of related work experience with at least 5 years of experience working within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical research industry.
• Extensive experience in biologics discovery, including fusion proteins and multi specific antibodies.
• Strong background in developing and characterizing in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models, with deep knowledge of disease biology, pathogenesis, and mechanisms of action.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and independently, propose innovative scientific approaches, and apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to complex biological questions.
• Hands-on expertise in in vivo animal studies.
• Outstanding communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to thrive within a collaborative work environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with contract research organizations (CROs) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership in the planning, execution, and interpretation of data across multiple biologics discovery programs.
• Critically evaluate scientific literature, synthesize novel hypotheses and design rigorous experimental strategies to test them.
• Drive the development and characterization of animal models to support research across diverse disease indications.
• Design and oversee in vivo pharmacology studies to assess PK/PD, efficacy, and mechanism of action of drug candidates.
• Support the identification, characterization, and selection of lead molecules to advance pipeline programs.
• Collaborate in the evaluation and selection of external partners to support in vitro and in vivo research activities.
• Communicate project progress and key findings effectively in cross-functional meetings, ensuring alignment with timelines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture, with a strong emphasis on scientific excellence and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• We offer comprehensive benefits and competitive compensation packages.
• The Company headquarters are in Watertown, MA, and we provide a flexible work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees