Genome Therapeutics
Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) Programme Leader
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Department: Early Oncology Discovery / Biotherapeutics
Reports To: Head of Research and Development
Location: Central Cambridge; full-time onsite
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly driven, multidisciplinary drug discovery scientist to lead ADC drug development at GTx. The successful candidate will bring a documented track record of novel ADC discovery and pre-clinical study proposal/execution through lead optimisation to formal development candidate (DC) selection.
Key Responsibilities:
Scientific Strategy & Programme Execution
- Design and execute operational roadmaps for the early ADC discovery portfolio, establishing target product profiles and rigorous, empirical go/no-go screening cascades.
- Accountability for advancing programs from exploratory biology through lead optimisation to formal DC selection.
- Partner with Translational Oncology and Clinical Development teams to ensure pipeline molecules align with clinical positioning and biomarker strategies.
Platform & Conjugation Chemistry Optimisation
- Lead the strategic selection and optimisation of novel payloads, cleavable/non-cleavable linkers, and stabilising architectures.
- Direct the deployment of conjugation chemistries to ensure homogeneity, stability, and manufacturability.
- Oversee physicochemical profiling to systematically identify and remove liabilities related to hydrophobicity, plasma instability, premature payload de-conjugation, and high non-specific clearance.
Target Biology Integration
- Drive the biological screening cascades, including receptor occupancy assays, target-dependent internalisation assays, in vitro cytotoxicity, bystander killing dynamics, and in vivo efficacy models (CDX/PDX).
- Provide biology-driven insights into payload mechanism of action, tumor context, and therapeutic index considerations.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
DMPK, Translational Safety & DC Nomination
- Establish integrated PK/PD/efficacy relationships, quantifying payload release, total antibody, and intact ADC exposure in circulation and within target/non-target tissues.
- Partner with early safety/toxicology to define dose-limiting toxicities in rodent and non-rodent (e.g., non-human primate) pilot studies, driving design iterations that expand the therapeutic index.
- Author and defend formal DC nomination packages, ensuring scientific rigor, robust CMC manufacturability assessments, and audit-ready data.
Matrix Management
- Represent payload/linker and ADC platform expertise in cross-functional project teams, governance discussions, and external collaborations.
- Direct external research collaborations and contract research organizations (CROs) for chemistry synthesis, antibody discovery, and in vivo efficacy/tox models.
Candidate Qualifications & Experience:
Education:
- Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic/Bioorganic Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or Molecular/Cellular Biology.
Track Record:
- Direct authorship and leadership in advancing at least one novel ADC program to formal DC status; track record of contributing to IND filings is highly preferred.
Experience:
- 10+ years of biopharma industry experience, with a minimum of 5 years dedicated specifically to ADC or targeted conjugate discovery and lead optimization.
DMPK & Safety:
- Proven ability to translate in vitro data and multi-species PK/PD models into actionable chemical/biological design iterations to optimize the human therapeutic index.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Leadership Skills:
- Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary matrix teams, managing laboratory resources, and steering external CRO partnerships.
Communication:
- Effectively communicate scientific concepts, study findings, and interpretations to multidisciplinary teams and executive governance committees including Scientific Advisory Boards, and regulatory bodies.
Preferred Attributes:
- Familiarity with next-generation conjugate formats, including dual payloads, bispecific ADCs, immune-stimulating antibody conjugates (ISACs), small-molecule drug conjugates (SMDCs), or degradation-activating conjugates (DACs).
- Experience interacting with early CMC and formulation development teams to de-risk high-concentration stability and scale-up early in discovery.
Equal Opportunities & Right to Work:
Genome Therapeutics is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation and we make recruitment decisions based on merit.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application; unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
To apply:
Send your CV together with a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for this role to recruitment@genometx.com quoting reference: “Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) Programme Leader - 0008”
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London