About Voyager Therapeutics
Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VYGR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to leveraging the power of human genetics to modify the course of – and ultimately cure – neurological diseases. Our pipeline includes programs for Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, and multiple other diseases of the central nervous system. Many of our programs are derived from our TRACER™ AAV capsid discovery platform, which we have used to generate novel capsids and identify associated receptors to potentially enable high brain penetration with genetic medicines following intravenous dosing. Some of our programs are wholly owned, and some are advancing with partners including Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease; Novartis Pharma AG; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.; and Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. For more information, visit www.voyagertherapeutics.com.
Voyager Therapeutics® is a registered trademark, and TRACER™ is a trademark, of Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.
Job Summary
Voyager Therapeutics is seeking an experienced Director or Senior Director of Vector Engineering to create, articulate, and lead an ambitious scientific vision and strategy for internal AAV gene therapy vector genome research and external innovation at Voyager. She/he/they will be empowered to develop and implement the strategic agenda and road map for the next generation of gene therapy payload platforms and programs, working in close collaboration with the Chief Scientific Officer and the VP of Novel Capsid Discovery. They will have a key role in identifying and accessing external innovation and developing strategic industry and academic collaborations that will enhance Voyager’s leadership in CNS gene therapy.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish and lead the strategic gene therapy AAV vector engineering roadmap and provide exemplary scientific leadership for the company’s AAV research programs to support the overall corporate strategy.
- Recruit, motivate, and develop a world-class, highly innovative gene therapy engineering team; drive a culture that promotes creativity, open communication, and collegiality; ensure projects are run cost-effectively with a sense of patient-centricity and urgency that is recognized by all.
- Manage transgene-related activities in discovery research, drive innovation in payload/cargo design, and will seek to build inter-department synergy using excellence in communication.
- Support the continued protection, creation, and expansion of the company’s intellectual property.
- Participate in the process of selecting, prioritizing, and accelerating the development of assets.
- Responsible for interrogation of candidate sequences, and reduction-to-practice of sequences intended for clinical application, for numerous gene therapy initiatives.
- Working with Research, responsible for establishment and testing of constructs in appropriate model systems, including in vitro and/or in vivo screens.
- Responsible for ensuring data integrity throughout the vector design team, including plasmid nomenclature and archiving.
- Key point of contact with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure suitability and timely manufacture of candidate gene therapy cassettes for downstream applications.
- Oversight and implementation of high-throughput gene synthesis and expression screening strategies.
- Strong interpersonal skills which acknowledge the team nature of shared success, and a communication style conducive to successful coordination to meet shared timelines.
- As needed, present to the company’s Board of Directors and/or Scientific Advisory Board as well as to external stakeholders and the investment community.
Qualifications
- A Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. in a scientific discipline required with minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience.
- The ideal candidate will be an established scientific leader in the field of gene therapy and have had senior-level scientific/technical responsibility with substantial experience in the successful discovery and/or development of AAV gene therapies, with deep experience in creative and novel AAV vector payload engineering.
- Must be highly motivated, and will derive motivation from working in a small, entrepreneurial biotech environment, accepting the challenge of broad responsibilities and opportunities within a fast-paced, matrix-focused can-do culture. A hands-on operational approach and ability to deliver on corporate goals integrating internal and external resources will be critical for success in this role.
- Must have intellectual and scientific curiosity and integrity; must be scientifically rigorous and creative; committed to patient-centricity, transparency, and ethical research values.
- Excellence in drug discovery/translational skills demonstrated by experience with payload design/expression control and a successful track record of advancing therapeutically oriented AAV gene therapies.
- Enthusiasm for operating effectively within an entrepreneurial and science-driven company environment.
- Can-do team-oriented attitude which is consistent with Voyager core values.
- Track record of driving innovative ways of thinking and/or innovative ways of using data.
- Sophisticated scientific management skills and business judgment with an ability to evaluate alternatives, establish priorities, and apply resources effectively.
