Director, Preclinical Development

Addition Therapeutics is advancing transformative therapies using its proprietary PRINT™ (Precise RNA-mediated Insertion of Transgenes) platform, enabling RNA-only therapeutics to insert genetic elements into safe harbor genome sites. Based in South San Francisco, our team drives scientific breakthroughs in a dynamic culture focused on patient impact.

About the role

We seek a highly skilled Director, Preclinical Development to provide scientific leadership for our PRINT™ platform and therapeutic programs. This role involves leading integrated preclinical strategies from early proof-of-concept through IND-enabling activities, with a focus on in vivo pharmacology and translation to NHPs. Depending on experience, the individual may also lead early nonclinical safety assessment and collaborate with external toxicology experts. The role requires integrating in vivo pharmacology with bioanalytical, PK/PD, biodistribution, tissue biology, and safety readouts to build a coherent translational understanding of therapeutics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated preclinical strategies to support PRINT™ platform development, target validation, therapeutic program advancement, and IND-enabling activities.
• Provide scientific leadership for in vivo rodent and NHP studies, including model selection, controls, dose levels, timepoints, endpoints, and tissue collections.
• Integrate in vivo pharmacology with PK/PD, bioanalytical, molecular, biodistribution, histopathology, tissue biology, and other translational readouts to establish relationships between exposure, mechanism, pharmacodynamic activity, efficacy, durability, and safety.
• Provide scientific oversight of early nonclinical safety assessments and contribute to an integrated safety strategy, including interpretation of immune-related findings, histopathology, and other safety signals.
• Manage external CROs and vendors across the study lifecycle, including vendor selection, protocol development, study initiation, oversight, troubleshooting, data review, interpretation, and reporting.
• Serve as a scientific leader in cross-functional program teams, collaborating with Platform Research, Program, Bioanalytical Sciences, Histopathology, CMC/Formulation, and other functions to align preclinical strategy with program milestones.
• Establish and maintain operational processes, systems, and documentation standards to support study execution, data integrity, traceability, and regulatory-filing-ready reporting.
• Mentor and develop scientists within the Preclinical Translation organization and contribute to building a high-performing culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Biology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, or a related discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong track record of leading in vivo pharmacology and preclinical development programs, including direct experience planning and executing NHP studies.
• Demonstrated ability to translate scientific and program objectives into hypothesis-driven, fit-for-purpose in vivo studies addressing key program questions.
• Experience managing external CROs and integrating complex preclinical datasets to interpret study outcomes and inform decisions.
• Experience supporting IND-enabling programs and preparation of regulatory submissions.
• Experience with early nonclinical safety assessment and/or collaboration with toxicology teams is preferred.
• Direct experience with animal models in obesity/metabolic disease and/or in vivo CAR-T therapy is highly desirable.
• Experience with genetic medicines, RNA-based therapeutics, RNA-LNPs, gene delivery technologies, cell therapies, or other complex biological modalities is strongly preferred.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple studies, programs, and priorities.
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to influence program decisions through scientific judgment and clear communication.
• Resourceful, adaptable, and highly motivated, with a commitment to scientific rigor and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Pay

The expected yearly salary for this position is $163,000–$205,000, with exact compensation varying based on skills and experience.

Location

South San Francisco, California