Director, Translational Science (Neurology)
About The Position
At Eisai, satisfying unmet medical needs and increasing the benefits healthcare provides to patients, their families, and caregivers is Eisai’s human health care (hhc) mission. We’re a growing pharmaceutical company that is breaking through in neurology and oncology, with a strong emphasis on research and development. Our history includes the development of many innovative medicines, notably the discovery of the world's most widely-used treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. As we continue to expand, we are seeking highly-motivated individuals who want to work in a fast-paced environment and make a difference. If this is your profile, we want to hear from you. Position Summary The Director of Translational Science is a scientifically driven leader who contributes to and drives the execution of integrated translational strategies across neurology programs spanning discovery through early clinical development. This role focuses on enabling data-driven decision-making by linking disease biology, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes. This position is designed to complement existing expertise in Alzheimer’s disease by bringing deep knowledge in non-Alzheimer’s neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, primary tauopathies, and sleep-related neurobiology. The successful candidate will combine strong scientific insight with hands-on engagement in biomarker strategy, data interpretation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Requirements
- PhD, MD, or equivalent in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, or related field
- 8–10 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical/biotechnology drug development
- Strong expertise in translational science and biomarker development
- Demonstrated experience supporting translational aspects of clinical programs
- Hands-on experience with biomarkers (fluid, imaging, and/or digital)
Nice To Haves
- Deep expertise in one or more non-Alzheimer’s neurodegenerative diseases, including: Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Primary tauopathies (e.g., PSP, CBD)
- Experience with disease-relevant biomarkers (e.g., α-synuclein, tau, sleep/circadian measures) strongly preferred
- Familiarity with clinical endpoints and disease progression in relevant indications
- Strong ability to interpret complex biological and clinical data and translate into actionable insights
- Proven ability to collaborate and influence within cross-functional teams
- Scientific curiosity, creativity, and a problem-solving mindset
- Excellent communication skills and ability to distill complex concepts for diverse audiences
Responsibilities
- Contribute to and drive execution of translational strategies across neurology programs
- Design and implement multi-modal biomarker approaches (e.g., biofluid, imaging, digital biomarkers)
- Help define data-driven decision frameworks in collaboration with translational and clinical leadership
- Translate emerging disease biology into testable clinical hypotheses and biomarker strategies
- Lead translational components of programs from study design through data analysis and interpretation
- Interpret and contextualize biomarker and clinical data to inform program decisions and development strategy
- Partner with Clinical, Clinical Pharmacology, and Biostatistics teams to support trial design, dose strategy, and endpoint selection
- Bridge preclinical findings and clinical development through mechanistic and disease-relevant insights
- Contribute to development and implementation of biomarker strategies supporting clinical trials
- Work closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure robust biomarker performance and data quality
- Collaborate with data scientists to integrate datasets and deliver actionable insights from complex, multimodal data
- Serve as a key translational representative on cross-functional program teams
- Influence program direction through scientific insight and data-driven recommendations
- Act as a scientific thought partner within the team and contribute to capability building
- Present findings internally and externally; contribute to scientific publications and congress presentations
- May mentor junior scientists or contribute to development of team expertise
- Engage with academic and industry experts to stay at the forefront of emerging science in neurodegenerative diseases
- Apply innovative approaches (e.g., omics, AI/ML, digital biomarkers) to better understand disease heterogeneity and progression
- Integrate multimodal data to refine disease models, patient stratification approaches, and biomarker strategies
- Contribute to translational aspects of regulatory documents and submissions (e.g., protocols, investigator brochures, briefing materials)
- Partner with senior leaders to support Health Authority interactions and strategy
- Support development of companion diagnostic and biomarker qualification strategies
Benefits
- Eisai Inc. Annual Incentive Plan
- Eisai Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
