Senior Director, Protein Sciences & Biopharma Discovery

Ceva Santé Animale•Philadelphia, PA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director, Protein Sciences & Biopharma Discovery leads biotherapeutics discovery and preclinical sciences at Ceva’s Biopharma Campus (CBC) in Philadelphia. Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, the role sets scientific direction for a multidisciplinary team of approximately 12 scientists spanning protein and antibody engineering, AAV vector development, preclinical sciences, and assay development. The position is accountable for advancing Ceva’s pipeline from early discovery through proof-of-concept (PoC) studies, combining deep scientific expertise, strategic vision, and hands-on leadership. As the CBC’s senior scientific voice, the Senior Director serves as the primary link between the Philadelphia campus and Ceva’s global R&D organization, particularly the Pharma & Biopharma Discovery teams in Libourne, France. The role partners closely with veterinary science, regulatory affairs, CMC/industrial development, and business development to turn scientific opportunities into portfolio value. Direct reports include the Head of Protein Sciences, Head of AAV Sciences, Head of Preclinical Sciences, and Principal Scientist, Assay Development. The position defines and executes the CBC biotherapeutics discovery roadmap, contributes to portfolio prioritization, directs protein and antibody discovery strategies, and provides scientific oversight across biopharma technologies, preclinical work, and assay platforms. It leads selected programs through PoC and prepares data packages and recommendations for governance review, with materials and documentation prepared for development and technology transfer. The Senior Director also leads team development, global collaboration, external asset evaluation, intellectual property and knowledge management, regulatory alignment, budget and resource allocation, laboratory operations, equipment lifecycle management, and performance metrics. The role is based in a combined office and laboratory environment at the Ceva Biologics Center. Laboratory work may involve biological materials, chemicals, and laboratory equipment, under site biosafety and EHS procedures. Periodic early-morning or evening meetings are needed to collaborate with colleagues in France and other time zones. Overnight travel, including international travel to Ceva R&D sites and scientific conferences, is required at approximately 10–20%.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Protein Science, Immunology, Bioengineering, or a closely related discipline.
At least 12 years of progressive experience in biotherapeutics discovery and development, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing multidisciplinary scientific teams.
Demonstrated track record of advancing biotherapeutic candidates from early discovery through PoC or IND-enabling (or veterinary-equivalent) stages.
Deep experience in protein engineering, including rational design and directed evolution, and antibody engineering.
Experience with species adaptation, including humanization and ideally caninization and felinization; monospecific and multispecific formats; and alternatives to IgG.
Hands-on knowledge of half-life extension technologies, such as Fc fusion, PEGylation, albumin binding, and HLE mutations.
Proficiency with mammalian (CHO, HEK293), microbial (E. coli), and/or yeast (Pichia pastoris) expression systems.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional and international collaborations in a matrix organization.
Strong peer-reviewed publication record and patent portfolio reflecting innovation in protein sciences or biologics.
Expertise in biotherapeutics discovery, including protein and antibody engineering, species adaptation, half-life extension, and recombinant expression systems.
Ability to direct bioanalytical and assay strategy, introduce new technologies, and troubleshoot complex situations.
Ability to build preclinical plans, lead implementation, and critically assess discovery and development dossiers from partners.
Experience identifying external concepts and partners, coordinating advisory input, and organizing scientific assessments.
Expert project management skills to deliver large, strategic programs within time, budget, and quality constraints across a multidisciplinary team.
Advanced communication and presentation skills, including presenting to key opinion leaders and senior leadership; excellent spoken and written English.
Advanced scientific writing skills, including authoring white papers, study protocols, reports, and publications and critically reviewing others’ work.
Intermediate knowledge of regulatory and quality requirements for veterinary medicinal product development in the US and EU, and relevant GxP expectations for early-stage work.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements: talk and hear; sit and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and laboratory equipment; regularly stand and walk in office and laboratory areas; occasionally lift up to 25 pounds; and perform close-vision tasks.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment for laboratory work.

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral training.
Background in structural biology, such as X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, or computational structural analysis.
Experience with PK/PD modeling in veterinary species.
Experience with AAV vector development or other gene therapy modalities, including non-viral gene delivery platforms.
Prior experience in veterinary biologics or the animal health industry.
Experience managing sample repositories and biological material traceability systems.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the CBC biotherapeutics discovery roadmap in line with Ceva’s Pharma/Biopharma R&D strategy.
Contribute to portfolio prioritization with the Chief Scientific Officer and R&D leadership, and identify and integrate relevant external assets for veterinary biologics.
Direct rational design and directed evolution strategies to improve protein function and achieve species specificity across canine, feline, equine, and production-animal targets, including species adaptation, multispecific formats, and half-life extension approaches.
Provide scientific oversight across biopharma technologies, preclinical sciences, and assay platforms to ensure studies are well designed, robust, timely, and within budget.
Oversee CHO and alternative expression-system work to produce material of appropriate quality for proof-of-principle and PoC studies in species.
Lead selected programs through PoC and present clear data packages and recommendations to Ceva’s innovation governance bodies.
Ensure materials, process platforms, and documentation are fit for purpose and ready for technology transfer into development beyond the D0 stage-gate.
Lead, coach, and develop up to four direct reports and approximately 12 scientists; manage performance, development planning, succession, recruitment, and retention.
Build a culture of scientific excellence, accountability, and collaboration in line with site growth plans.
Serve as the primary scientific liaison between the CBC and Libourne R&D for joint project management and knowledge transfer.
Partner with veterinary science, regulatory affairs, CMC/GID, and business development, and represent the CBC in global R&D governance meetings and portfolio reviews as required.
Lead scientific evaluation of external biotherapeutic assets and technologies, including data-room analysis and due diligence, and recommend actions to the Chief Scientific Officer and business development.
Drive intellectual property generation and protection with IP and Legal, maintain a scientific and patent watch, and ensure knowledge is captured and shared across Ceva’s global R&D network.
Design discovery and preclinical work with downstream regulatory requirements in mind, apply GLP-compliant practices to PoC study materials where applicable, and contribute scientific expertise to regulatory strategy with Regulatory Affairs.
Manage the CBC biologics discovery budget and resource allocation; oversee laboratory operations and equipment lifecycle management; and establish and monitor KPIs for scientific productivity, quality, and timelines.
Travel overnight, including internationally to Ceva R&D sites and scientific conferences, approximately 10–20%.