Director, Discovery & Translational Development

Solid Biosciences•Boston, MA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Solid Biosciences is a precision genetic medicine company focused on advancing a portfolio of gene therapy candidates targeting rare neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), TNNT2-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy, BAG3-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy, and additional fatal, genetic cardiac diseases. We are advancing a diverse pipeline and delivery platform in the pursuit of uniting experts in science, technology, disease management, and care. Patient-focused and founded by those directly impacted by Duchenne, Solid’s mission is to improve the daily lives of patients living with devastating rare diseases. The Director, Discovery & Translational Development will provide scientific and strategic leadership for AAV-based gene therapy programs targeting neuromuscular diseases, with a primary focus on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This role sits at the nexus of discovery, translational science, and early clinical development and is accountable for driving data-driven decisions that advance programs from preclinical development through IND and into the clinic. The Director will lead translational strategy, oversee preclinical and IND-enabling studies, and serve as a key scientific partner to Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, Bioanalytics, and Program Management. The successful candidate will combine deep neuromuscular and gene therapy expertise with industry experience and the ability to lead through influence in a highly cross-functional environment.

Requirements

PhD in Muscle Biology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology, or a related life sciences discipline.
8–12+ years of relevant experience, with substantial experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry settings.
Direct experience leading or significantly contributing to neuromuscular disease programs, preferably DMD.
Demonstrated experience advancing AAV gene therapy programs through preclinical development and IND submission.
Deep familiarity with neuromuscular disease models and translational endpoints.
Expertise in molecular, histological, and functional assays relevant to gene therapy.
Strong data interpretation and critical assessment skills; able to integrate complex datasets across modalities.
Experience overseeing CROs and external collaborators.
Deep expertise in neuromuscular disease biology, with a strong emphasis on DMD.
Demonstrated leadership in AAV-based gene therapy development, including translational and IND-supporting work.
Strong translational mindset with the ability to bridge preclinical data to clinical hypotheses and regulatory strategy.
Strategic thinking combined with scientific rigor and attention to detail.
Proven ability to influence across functions and operate effectively in a matrixed organization.
Clear, concise scientific communication tailored to diverse audiences.

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral training in neuromuscular disease or gene therapy is preferred.
Experience engaging with or supporting regulatory interactions (FDA, EMA) is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and drive the translational strategy for neuromuscular gene therapy programs, ensuring alignment between preclinical data, biomarker strategy, and clinical interpretation.
Provide scientific leadership for mechanism of action, biodistribution, transgene expression, durability, and functional efficacy across relevant disease models.
Define and oversee biomarker frameworks that link nonclinical data to clinical endpoints and regulatory expectations.
Establish data standards, success criteria, and decision points to support confident program advancement.
Provide scientific oversight and accountability for IND-enabling studies, including study design, CRO execution, data review, and interpretation.
Contribute to and review regulatory-facing documents (e.g., study reports, investigator brochures, briefing packages, responses to agency questions).
Partner with Program Management to ensure timelines, risks, and dependencies are clearly defined and proactively managed.
Support development and refinement of Target Product Profiles (TPPs) and program risk-mitigation strategies.
Serve as a core scientific representative on cross-functional program teams, working closely with Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, CMC, Bioanalytics, and Quality.
Communicate complex scientific concepts and data clearly to senior leadership and executive audiences, enabling informed decision-making.
Represent DTD in internal governance forums and, as appropriate, external scientific or regulatory interactions.
Provide scientific mentorship and leadership to scientists within DTD, fostering rigor, accountability, and translational thinking.
Guide experimental planning and data interpretation across the team without necessarily being hands-on at the bench.
Contribute to building scalable DTD processes, platforms, and best practices.

Benefits

Competitive Health and Dental programs with flexible plan offerings, including FSA and HSA programs
401(k) program participation with competitive company matched contributions
Eligibility to participate in Solid’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Mobile phone subsidy for eligible employees
Tuition Reimbursement
Vision Coverage
Life Insurance
Voluntary Pet Insurance
Employee Discount Program on Travel, Entertainment, and Services
Employee Assistance Programs
Daily Subsidized Lunch Delivery (onsite @ Hood Park)
Free Onsite Full-Service Gym (onsite @ Hood Park)
Employee Parking (onsite @ Hood Park)
12 Observed Holidays and a winter shut down
15-day PTO Policy and a 40-hour rollover YoY
40-hour Sick Policy
8 Hour Floating Holiday