Director, Translational Sciences
About The Position
AcelaBio is seeking a Director of Translational Sciences to provide scientific leadership and oversight for its Scientific Operations function, including assay development, digital image analysis, and bioinformatics supporting global clinical studies and R&D. The role develops strategies to expand scientific services and improve service delivery through the design, development, validation, and operationalization of assays, image-analysis pipelines, and computational tools. It is accountable for scientific rigor, reproducibility, quality, regulatory compliance, and financially sustainable delivery. The Director oversees the team’s day-to-day technical work and directly manages and develops scientific staff, while remaining hands-on as a subject matter expert for complex technical work and selected sponsor projects. Departmental leadership responsibilities include scientific policy and process development, quality and compliance monitoring, resource planning, performance management, and scientific support for project and unit teams throughout the project life cycle. AcelaBio is restructuring to establish corporate operations independent from its sister organization, Alimentiv. The company is seeking experienced talent who have navigated corporate transitions, restructuring, or startup scaling and who can help shape the operations, systems, compliance, culture, and strategy of an independent, profitable, growing business.
Requirements
- Ph.D. or M.Sc. in pathology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
- At least 10 years of experience in assay development, digital pathology/image analysis, and/or bioinformatics within a CRO, biopharma, or regulated research environment.
- Proven scientific and strategic leadership, including translating vision into innovative, scalable solutions and business impact.
- Deep technical expertise in one or more of immunostaining/IHC, multiplex IF, ISH, spatial biology, digital image analysis, and bioinformatics, with the ability to remain hands-on in complex scientific work.
- Experience building, leading, and developing high-performing scientific or technical teams in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
- Strong client-facing communication skills, including explaining complex scientific concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders and building trusted partnerships.
- Working knowledge of assay validation requirements and regulatory frameworks, including GxP and clinical research standards.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and collaborate across scientific, laboratory, operational, and commercial teams.
- Experience navigating corporate transitions, restructuring, or startup scaling is sought.
Responsibilities
- Oversee scientific operations for assay development, digital image analysis, and bioinformatics across commercial and R&D programs, aligning work with organizational strategies and client needs.
- Lead the design, development, optimization, and validation of immunostaining assays, including multiplex IHC/IF, ISH, and spatial biology; image-analysis pipelines; and computational and bioinformatics tools.
- Drive initiatives to expand and differentiate AcelaBio’s scientific service portfolio.
- Ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, and regulatory alignment, including GxP and CAP/CLIA, across commercial project and R&D activities.
- Perform hands-on assay development, optimization, and validation, particularly for novel or high-complexity projects.
- Develop and validate image-analysis algorithms and pipelines for priority programs while maintaining technical oversight of the broader team’s work.
- Serve as lead scientist on selected sponsor projects, taking direct technical ownership of assay and image-analysis deliverables as required.
- Build, lead, and mentor a team of scientists and technical staff in assay development, image analysis, and bioinformatics.
- Manage staffing, resource planning, performance management, and professional development for direct reports.
- Foster collaboration between Scientific Operations and Laboratory, Project Operations, and Business Development teams.
- Maintain strong client relationships throughout the project life cycle; serve as a senior scientific contact and escalation point, and support troubleshooting and issue resolution.
- Represent AcelaBio’s scientific capabilities at client meetings, industry conferences, and scientific forums as required.
- Support business development through RFP responses, scientific proposals, and bid-defense activities.
- Review and approve analysis plans, validation reports, study reports, and technical and scientific documentation.
- Participate in departmental and organizational strategic planning as a leadership team member.
- Develop and manage the Scientific Operations budget in coordination with the Executive Team.
- Monitor industry trends, the competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to inform capability development.
- Ensure compliance with quality systems, SOPs, and regulatory requirements across scientific deliverables.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
