Director, Pathology

Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities including RNAi silencing and RNA editing provides us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline is focused on our obesity, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and PNPLA3 I148M liver disease programs and includes clinical programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, as well as several preclinical programs utilizing our versatile RNA medicines platform.  Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Description

The Preclinical Development Pathology Group is seeking an on-site accomplished Director-level Scientist to provide strategic pathology leadership across discovery and development programs. This role will generate decision-enabling pathology data, support nonclinical safety assessment and candidate advancement, and partner closely with internal teams and external providers to advance Wave’s pipeline.

Experience

• DVM or equivalent degree with ACVP or ECVP board certification required
• D. in Pathology, Toxicology, Immunology, or related discipline preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic pathology leadership across pharmacology, investigative pathology, and preclinical safety studies to support target identification, candidate selection, biomarker development, and efficacy assessment
• Perform primary pathology read and peer review regulatory and non-regulatory studies, ensuring scientific rigor, data integrity, high-quality reporting, and regulatory readiness
• Shape study strategy, protocol design, data interpretation, and report content in partnership with toxicology, discovery, CRO, and technical teams
• Serve as the accountable Project Pathologist for assigned targets, therapeutic areas, and development programs
• Partner across functions to evaluate candidate risk, investigate mechanisms of pharmacology and toxicity, and guide risk mitigation strategies
• Advance digital and translational pathology capabilities, including image analysis algorithms and biomarker-focused approaches
• Contribute to scientific innovation and external visibility through cross-functional collaboration, external engagement, and publications

Key Skills

• Senior-level expertise in toxicologic and/or investigative pathology, with experience generating data that informs portfolio, program, and governance decisions
• Experience supporting drug discovery pharmacology, investigative toxicology, mechanism-of-action studies, and development-stage programs
• Strong knowledge of GLP regulations, regulatory expectations, pathology peer review, documentation quality, and regulatory readiness
• Expertise in oligonucleotide therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs, preferred
• Experience in academic, CRO, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical settings, with demonstrated effectiveness in cross-functional drug development programs
• Knowledge of advanced pathology methodologies and digital pathology/image analysis platforms, including IHC, multiplex IHC, ISH, immunofluorescence, H&E/IHC image analysis, multiplexed cell phenotyping, and HALO
• Strong ability to communicate pathology strategy, study results, and actionable recommendations to scientific, project, and leadership audiences
• Ability to lead and prioritize multiple concurrent programs while maintaining scientific quality, timeline discipline, and stakeholder alignment

Pay Range Disclosure Statement

$230,000—$310,000 USD

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the annual base salary pay range for this position at the time of posting. Actual annual base salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, qualifications, position criticality, and internal equity.  This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and discretionary stock-based long-term incentives.  In addition to compensation, Wave offers a comprehensive and competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical and financial health and overall well-being. These include, but are not limited to, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability insurances, generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), 401K participation with matching contributions, and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Wave Life Sciences provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wave Life Sciences complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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