Director, Nephrology Research

Travere • San Diego, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Be a part of a global team that is inspired to make a difference in the lives of people living with rare disease. At Travere Therapeutics, we recognize that our exceptional employees are vital to our success. We are a dedicated team focused on meeting the unique needs of rare patients. Our work is rewarding – both professionally and personally – because we are making a difference. We are passionate about what we do. We are seeking talented individuals who will thrive in our collaborative, diverse, fast-paced environment and share in our mission – to identify, develop and deliver life-changing therapies to people living with rare disease. We stick by our values centered on patients, courage, community, and collaboration to pursue our vision of becoming a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the delivery of innovation and hope to patients in the global rare disease community. At Travere Therapeutics, we are in rare for life. We continue to courageously forge new paths as we move toward a common goal of elevating science and service for rare patients . Position Summary: Travere Therapeutics is seeking an experienced and strategic scientist to join our Research and Nonclinical Development organization as Director, Nephrology Research. This individual will identify emerging science and technologies relevant to rare kidney diseases and lead innovative research collaborations to translate these opportunities into novel therapeutic programs that address underlying disease biology. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in renal biology and drug discovery, with the ability to translate emerging science into differentiated therapeutic concepts and executable research programs. The Director will evaluate emerging therapeutic opportunities and lead selected programs through candidate selection, preclinical development, and IND readiness. Travere operates through a highly externalized research model therefore, this individual will design and oversee research conducted by academic laboratories, biotechnology partners, and CROs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science or other related discipline required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry required; or 6+ years with PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced degree.
• Demonstrated expertise in kidney biology, renal physiology, nephrology drug discovery, or the molecular mechanisms of kidney disease with the ability to translate disease biology, human genetics, and translational evidence into therapeutic hypotheses and executable research plans.
• Experience identifying and advancing therapeutic targets or drug-discovery programs from research concept through candidate selection or preclinical development.
• Experience designing and interpreting in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies.
• Experience establishing and leading research collaborations with CROs, academic investigators, biotechnology partners, or consultants.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to advance programs toward IND submission or early clinical development.
• Working knowledge of regulatory expectations for pharmacology and nonclinical packages supporting first-in-human studies.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership and the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, matrixed, and highly externalized organization.
• Excellent scientific judgment, communication, presentation, collaboration, and influencing skills.

Nice To Haves

• PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: podocytopathies, glomerular basement membrane disorders, other glomerular diseases, proteinuric kidney diseases, tubular disorders, or cystic kidney diseases.
• Experience using human genetics, patient-derived samples, organoids, or other advanced model systems to validate therapeutic targets.
• Familiarity with multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, oligonucleotides, gene therapy, gene editing, or RNA-based therapeutics.
• Experience developing translational biomarkers or PK/PD strategies for preclinical or early clinical programs.
• Experience conducting scientific due diligence for licensing, collaboration, or business-development opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Travere’s research strategy for rare kidney diseases.
• Identify therapeutic opportunities that address the genetic, molecular, or cellular causes of kidney disease and prioritize programs based on scientific rationale, translational potential, patient need, competitive differentiation, technical feasibility, and probability of clinical success.
• Develop research concepts based on emerging disease biology, human genetics, clinical observations, and advances in therapeutic technologies.
• Maintain awareness of scientific, clinical, technological, and competitive developments across nephrology.
• Serve as the scientific lead for nephrology research programs from early concept through IND readiness.
• Develop and execute integrated strategies encompassing target validation, pharmacology, translational research, and early development planning, and establish stage-appropriate criteria for program advancement.
• Integrate mechanistic, in vitro, in vivo, human genetic, natural-history, and clinical data to assess target validity and therapeutic potential.
• Develop translational strategies linking mechanism of action, target engagement, pharmacodynamic activity, biomarkers, patient selection, and potential clinical outcomes.
• Partner with internal and external experts to select and advance the most appropriate therapeutic modality, including small molecules, biologics, oligonucleotides, gene therapies, and other emerging technologies.
• Partner with Nonclinical Development, DMPK, Toxicology, Bioanalytical, CMC, Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Development, and Regulatory colleagues to establish integrated development plans.
• Contribute to the design and interpretation of pharmacology, PK/PD, biodistribution, and translational studies supporting candidate selection, dose rationale, biomarker strategy, and first-in-human development.
• Identify promising targets, technologies, academic discoveries, and external programs aligned with Travere’s nephrology strategy.
• Build relationships with academic investigators, biotechnology companies, nephrology disease experts, and other scientific leaders to identify and develop new research opportunities.
• Lead or contribute to scientific due diligence for potential licensing, collaboration, and investment opportunities.
• Evaluate the quality, reproducibility, differentiation, translational relevance, development readiness, and key risks of external opportunities.
• Identify critical evidence gaps and recommend confirmatory studies, risk-mitigation strategies, and potential development paths.
• Represent Travere at scientific meetings, conferences, and external collaborations.

Benefits

• premium health, financial, work-life and well-being offerings for eligible employees and dependents
• wellness and employee support programs
• life insurance
• disability
• retirement plans with employer match
• generous paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director