Director of Translational Oncology

Sonder Research X•North Brunswick, NJ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Sonder Research X is an early-stage biotechnology company developing cancer diagnostics through the integration of pathology, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence, and complementary biological data. The Director of Translational Oncology will lead basic discovery and translational oncology research, direct a wet-lab team, and guide biomarker validation and clinical research strategy. The role is based onsite at the company’s North Brunswick, New Jersey facility. The Director will lead and work hands-on with Ph.D. scientists investigating tumor biology and biomarker validity. They will oversee experimental workflows and retrospective biomarker studies, maintain laboratory compliance and data integrity, and serve as the scientific and biomarker advisor to clinical development teams and external oncology collaborators. The role also includes managing academic and biospecimen partnerships, supporting Scientific Advisory Board activities, and leading manuscripts and conference materials for basic and translational research.

Requirements

PhD in Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
At least 8 years of relevant research experience in cancer biology or a related field.
Experience independently directing Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. research in Cancer Biology, Translational Oncology, or a related field.
Experience independently leading an oncology research laboratory or research program in academia or industry.
Strong background in solid tumor biology, experimental design, and translational cancer research.
Hands-on experience with tissue processing, histology, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence (IHC/IF), and microscopy.
Experience with 3D cell culture systems, organoids, or patient-derived tissue models.
Experience designing and interpreting retrospective biomarker studies, including clinical sample analysis and biomarker validation.
Established record of peer-reviewed publications, including senior authorship and manuscript leadership.
Experience collaborating with academic researchers, clinical investigators, or external scientific partners.

Nice To Haves

Experience in wet-lab biological validation and clinical scientific advisory.
Familiarity with whole-slide imaging, quantitative digital pathology, spatial transcriptomics, mass spectrometry, or automated research platforms.
Familiarity with patent disclosures, IP strategy, and nonclinical pharmacology sections of regulatory filings.

Responsibilities

Lead, direct, and work hands-on alongside a wet-lab team of Ph.D. scientists.
Drive basic research studies to elucidate tumor biomarkers.
Design, optimize, and supervise workflows involving 3D cell cultures, patient-derived organoids, tissue explants, patient biospecimens, multiplex IHC/IF, confocal imaging, and digital spatial profiling.
Lead retrospective clinical biomarker studies using archival patient cohorts to establish clinical validity.
Maintain laboratory compliance, material transfer agreements, and applicable research-exempt or non-interventional laboratory IRB protocols for human biospecimen studies.
Maintain and review SOPs, ensure BSL-2 biosafety compliance, and uphold electronic lab notebook data integrity aligned with good laboratory practices.
Advise clinical development teams on the biology of ongoing and prospective oncology trials, including protocol biology, mechanism of action, and biologically driven patient stratification.
Guide biomarker sampling strategies for prospective clinical studies and interpret clinical trial correlative readouts from a biological perspective.
Partner with clinical teams to draft translational biomarker sections for regulatory filings and trial protocols.
Serve as a scientific liaison to oncology KOLs, academic investigators, and clinical collaborators.
Manage scientific collaborations, sponsored research agreements, and biospecimen partnerships, and support Scientific Advisory Board activities.
Lead and coordinate scientific writing and publication for basic and translational research studies, including manuscript drafting, editing, journal submissions, peer-review responses, and revisions.
Co-author conference abstracts, posters, and presentations for major oncology congresses.