Associate Director, Nonclinical Safety Evaluation

City Therapeutics•Cambridge, MA

7d•$174,000 - $196,000•Onsite

About The Position

City Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company harnessing next-generation engineering to improve and expand the reach of RNAi-based medicines. The company is building a pipeline of innovative RNAi therapeutics to make a significant impact for patients across multiple therapeutic areas. Co-founded by pioneering executives and scientists in RNAi, City Therapeutics is based in Cambridge, MA, and has raised $140 million from leading life sciences investors. We’re seeking an Associate Director, Nonclinical Safety Evaluation (NSE) who will play a pivotal role in overseeing and critically evaluating nonclinical safety studies across City’s RNAi therapeutic programs. This is a highly visible, hands-on role for someone who brings strong scientific judgment, deep toxicology expertise, and a sharp eye for study design, data quality, and interpretation. You will be responsible for providing scientific oversight of outsourced nonclinical safety studies, reviewing and interpreting results, and ensuring that findings are placed in the appropriate biological and development context. Working closely with internal teams and external partners, you will help generate high-quality nonclinical safety packages that support sound decision-making and regulatory advancement.

Requirements

PhD, DVM, or equivalent advanced degree in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Veterinary Sciences, or a related field, with 7+ years of relevant experience in biotech or pharmaceutical drug development, or direct experience as a Study Director at a GLP-qualified CRO.
Strong experience overseeing outsourced nonclinical safety studies and critically reviewing protocols, data, and final reports.
Deep expertise in the interpretation of toxicology data, including general toxicology, genetic toxicology, reproductive toxicology, carcinogenicity, and related nonclinical safety assessments, with sound scientific judgment and attention to detail.
Strong understanding of GLP and non-GLP study conduct, study design, and reporting standards.
Experience contributing to regulatory packages and supporting nonclinical components of development milestones.
Ability to assess study quality, identify issues early, and communicate risks and recommendations clearly to cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience working with CROs and external collaborators to ensure timely, high-quality study execution and reporting.
Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills; highly detail-oriented, self-directed, and able to work independently in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

Previous siRNA therapeutic development experience is a plus.
Prior small molecule development experience is strongly preferred.
DABT certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee non-GLP and GLP nonclinical safety studies across discovery and development-stage programs, with a focus on quality, execution, interpretation, and fit-for-purpose study design.
Serve as the primary scientific reviewer for outsourced nonclinical safety studies, critically evaluating protocols, amendments, reports, and raw or interpreted data to ensure rigor, clarity, and appropriate conclusions.
Provide expert interpretation of toxicology studies, including general toxicology, safety pharmacology, genetic toxicology, and, where applicable, reproductive toxicology and carcinogenicity findings, highlighting key results, risks, trends, and development implications.
Identify data gaps, inconsistencies, or study conduct issues, and work with internal and external teams to resolve them efficiently and scientifically.
Participate actively in cross-functional team meetings to communicate study progress, interpret findings, and provide nonclinical safety input to broader program discussions.
Partner closely with Chemistry, Biology, Translational Sciences, CMC, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, other relevant functions and program teams to contextualize nonclinical safety findings and support next-step recommendations.
Contribute to the planning and monitoring of nonclinical safety studies required to support candidate progression and regulatory submissions.
Support authoring and review of nonclinical summaries, study interpretation sections, and regulatory documents, including materials supporting IND-enabling packages.
Represent Nonclinical Safety Evaluation in cross-functional discussions, clearly communicating study outcomes, risks, and recommendations.
Help maintain high standards for external study oversight, documentation, data review, and reporting practices across the function.
Stay current on evolving toxicology methods, nonclinical safety expectations, and regulatory guidance relevant to RNAi and oligonucleotide therapeutics.