Senior Director, DMPK
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 26, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 22, 2026.
Senior Director, DMPK
Location: Bay Area, California
Working model: Hybrid, two days per week on site
Employment type: Full-time
Sector: Clinical-stage biotechnology
Focus: Small molecules
Can you lead the DMPK strategy that transforms promising science into clinical success?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an accomplished Senior Director, DMPK to join a well-funded, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.This is a highly influential scientific leadership position with responsibility for shaping and executing drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics strategies across a growing portfolio of small molecule programmes. You will guide assets from early discovery and clinical candidate selection through first-in-human studies and subsequent clinical development.
Working across discovery, translational science, non-clinical development and clinical teams, you will ensure that high-quality ADME, pharmacokinetic and PK/PD data are translated into clear programme decisions. The position offers considerable scientific visibility, broad cross-functional influence and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within an agile, growth-stage biotechnology environment.
Key Responsibilities
Establish and execute integrated DMPK, ADME and PK/PD strategies across discovery and development programmes.
Provide scientific leadership and DMPK expertise within multidisciplinary project teams.
Design, oversee and interpret in vitro and in vivo DMPK studies.
Guide clinical candidate selection and the progression of small molecule assets into development.
Integrate DMPK data into programme strategy and evidence-based decision-making.
Develop translational strategies and generate first-in-human dose projections.
Partner with medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, CMC, translational and clinical colleagues.
Build and manage productive relationships with CROs, consultants and external scientific collaborators.
Author and review pharmacokinetic and DMPK content for INDs, CTAs, Investigator's Brochures and marketing applications.
Present scientific findings, strategic recommendations and programme risks to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
Maintain rigorous scientific, documentation and reporting standards across the DMPK function.
About You
You are an established DMPK leader with experience of advancing small molecule drug candidates from discovery through clinical development. You combine strong scientific expertise with the commercial and strategic judgement required to influence programme direction and organisational decision-making.
You will bring:
A PhD in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Metabolism, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related discipline.
10+ years of industry DMPK experience within biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug development.
Deep expertise in small molecule drug discovery and development.
Demonstrated experience supporting clinical candidate selection and progression into the clinic.
Strong knowledge of ADME, pharmacokinetics, PK/PD modelling and translational sciences.
Experience developing first-in-human dose projections and translational development strategies.
Expertise preparing regulatory documentation and supporting interactions with health authorities.
A track record of leading programmes and influencing cross-functional teams within innovative drug development environments.
Why Join?
This role offers the opportunity to:
Shape DMPK strategy across multiple discovery and clinical-stage programmes.
Play a key role in progressing innovative therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.
Operate as a recognised scientific leader with significant influence across the organisation.
Work alongside experienced scientists and drug developers in a highly collaborative environment.
Join a well-funded biotechnology company where individuals can directly impact programme success and company growth.
Benefit from a flexible hybrid work model in Palo Alto.
Compensation & Benefits
A highly competitive compensation package is available and will be aligned with experience, expertise and market benchmarks. The package may include:
Competitive base salary - €230,000 - €300,000
Annual performance bonus
Equity participation / long-term incentives
Medical, dental and vision coverage
Retirement savings programme
Generous paid time off
Paid parental leave
Life and disability insurance
Comprehensive wellness programmes
If you are having difficulty in applying or if you have any questions, please contact Neil Walton at[email protected]
If you are interested in applying to this exciting opportunity, then please click 'Apply' or to speak to one of our specialists please request a call back at the top of this page.
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