Scientist/Senior Scientist Translational Science and Biomarkers

Volastra Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City, formed from the laboratory of Dr. Lewis Cantley, along with Drs. Olivier Elemento and Samuel Bakhoum.  Volastra is dedicated to the discovery and development of treatments for patients with cancer.  The Company’s therapies will target novel pathways and apply insights gained from its scientific founders into chromosomal instability (CIN) and its clear association with the formation, progression, and maintenance of disease.  Our lead program, a KIF18A inhibitor, is on track to enter the clinic in the second half of 2023 for patients with advanced cancer.

Volastra has raised funding from top US and European venture firms, including Vida, Polaris, Droia, and Arch, and has a multi-year up to $1.1B drug discovery collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb leveraging Volastra’s proprietary CINtech platform to identify CIN-related targets. In addition, Volastra has a partnership with Microsoft to develop AI technologies for the interrogation of CIN. The company has a world class advisory board as well as a highly experienced senior leadership team. The company operates out of 15,000 square feet of office and state-of-the-art laboratory space in West Harlem, New York City, within easy traveling distance of Columbia, Cornell, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and most other areas of the city, Westchester County, and New Jersey.

Please visit www.volastratx.com for more information.

The Role of Scientist/Senior Scientist Translational Science and Biomarkers will report to the Director of Biomarkers as part of the Clinical and Translational science team and be responsible for developing and executing preclinical translational research and biomarker strategies to inform the design of early clinical trials. At times the role may span the translational spectrum from supporting translational direction of early discovery programs all the way to the interpretation of clinical trial biomarker data. The ideal candidate will have industry experience in oncology translational research, including preclinical tumor models and biomarker development and interpretation.

• Develop and execute translational biomarker strategies for programs within Volastra with a focus on target engagement, pharmacodynamics, mechanism-of-action, indication and patient selection and stratification, and rational therapeutic combination partner selection.
• Perform biomarker assay development and validation
• Design, execute or oversee complex experiments (in vitro and in vivo) assessing primary tissues, including phenotypic or functional analysis
• Work closely with data scientists to analyze, interpret, and communicate clinical biomarker readouts
• Contribute as an important member of a diverse and motivated team of researchers across oncology disciplines and key internal and external collaborators
• Provide guidance and mentorship to RAs/Scientists

• Ph.D. plus postdoctoral training in cell biology, cancer biology or related field with at 2+ years of industry experience supporting translational research and biomarker activities that inform clinical programs
• Experience in the discovery and implementation of pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarkers using preclinical models
• Knowledge and extensive hands-on experience with a range of relevant research technologies (e.g., tissue culture, histology, cell-based assays, molecular and cellular biology)
• Excellent knowledge and extensive hands-on experience with in vivo mouse models are highly desirable (e.g., mouse handling, tumor implantation/growth studies, mouse injections, blood and tissue collection).
• A clear understanding of rigorous data interpretation and comfort with basic data analysis (e.g. GraphPad/Prism)
• Experience evaluating, selecting, and managing projects with external scientific CROs on budget and on schedule.
• Excellent interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written communications
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where meeting deadlines is paramount
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Volastra is a team of dedicated individuals working to advance therapies for patients with cancer.  As such, individuals will, from time to time, have the opportunity to work on projects and take on responsibilities that may fall outside his/her scope of work. The job is based in NYC. Hybrid work schedules are permitted with the understanding that significant in-person work will be required to accomplish the job responsibilities. 

 Approximately $120,000 -$180,000 depending on experience and qualifications.