Head of Clinical Pharmacology

Retained Search | On-Site, San Diego, CA

We've been retained by a clinical-stage biotech in San Diego that is precision-engineering a new generation of T cell immunotherapies. Through proprietary bispecific platforms designed to selectively activate T cells within the tumor or tissue microenvironment, our client is advancing a differentiated pipeline across oncology and autoimmune disease — with multiple programs already dosing in the clinic and additional INDs on the horizon. Backed by a strong balance sheet and a leadership team with a track record of building category-defining biotechs, this is a rare opportunity to shape clinical pharmacology strategy where the science is genuinely novel.

Location: 100% on-site in San Diego. No hybrid or remote option. The client believes great drug development happens in person.

The Opportunity

As Head of Clinical Pharmacology, you'll own the design, analysis, and interpretation of clinical pharmacology strategy across multiple oncology and immunology programs. This is a hands-on leadership role for a scientist energized by PK/PD analyses, exposure-response modeling, and the regulatory craft of translating data into decisions — working shoulder-to-shoulder with Translational Medicine, Biometrics, Clinical Development, and Regulatory to move molecules from IND through early proof-of-concept.

What You'll Do

• Serve as Clinical Pharmacology Lead and subject matter expert across multiple programs, owning plans from IND through early clinical development
• Provide strategic input into dose selection, study design, and benefit–risk assessment
• Design and oversee PK, PD, and exposure-response analyses; lead population PK and exposure-response modeling in partnership with Biometrics and external modeling vendors
• Oversee clinical pharmacology components of trials, including food effect, DDI, organ impairment, and QT/QTc studies; support healthy volunteer and early-phase design
• Author and review clinical pharmacology sections of INDs, NDAs, and briefing books; support health authority interactions
• Partner with Translational Medicine and Biomarker teams to integrate mechanistic and biomarker data into PK/PD interpretation

What You Bring

• MD, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent in Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field
• 12+ years in Clinical Pharmacology and/or Pharmacometrics within biotech or pharma
• Direct experience designing and executing early-phase studies, including healthy volunteer trials
• Strong PK analysis and exposure-response expertise
• Oncology and/or immunology experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated regulatory submission experience and health authority interaction
• Experience managing external CP vendors and modeling partners
• Strong communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed, science-first environment

Reach out for a deeper conversation about the client, the pipeline, and the team.