Regional Head of Discovery, India

Position Description

Job Title: Regional Head of Discovery, India

Location: THSTI, Faridabad, India

Reports to: Vice President, Head, Discovery Science

Position Summary:

Are you a passionate leader in who’s eager to translate science into global health solutions? Learn more, and apply below!

IAVI is seeking a Regional Head of Discovery, India is responsible for the design and implementation of IAVIs integrated discovery research initiatives/programs in India in collaboration with IAVIs global laboratory network and partners engaged in accelerating the vaccine & antibody design and development of novel solutions for disease prevention and treatment. The Regional Head is responsible for studies focused on translating the understanding of infectious diseases using next generation technologies in B-cell immunology, antibody isolation, characterization and optimization, vaccine and antibody evaluation for development of products/intervention. The Regional Head oversees the ongoing work in the areas of HIV, TB, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging viral and bacterial infectious diseases, in particular pathogens of specific interest for India. The Regional Head operates under the direction of the Vice President and Head of Discovery Science at IAVI, and with the support and partnership of the Country Director, India. The Regional Head is responsible for the coordination and implementation of activities at the Antibody Translation Research Program (ATRP) a partnership program of IAVI with Translational Health Science Institute Faridabad India.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of scientists in India and work closely with their counterparts at the Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC; San Diego, US) and Design & Development Laboratory (DDL; Jersey City, US), to efficiently and optimally coordinate research activities to best respond to ongoing and emerging infectious disease threats.
• Formulate, lead, and guide all scientific aspects of the Program related to the identification and optimization of monoclonal antibodies from a variety of sources, including human cohorts, to be used for characterization of vaccine candidates or directly as treatment/preventative agents.
• Oversee the conduct of research and research team to help ensure ethical conduct in all aspects of the research process including but not limited to conflicts of interest, data acquisition, management, sharing and ownership, publication practices, responsible authorship, and collaborative research and reporting.
• Develop and manage the project budget & financial plan and report on project progress as outlined in the project plan and maintain accurate records of project related activities and expenses to the Program Director.
• Ensure and establish effective working relationships, scientific linkages and collaborations with scientists within THSTI cluster, other scientific partners of IAVI in India.
• Lead activities designed to characterize vaccine and antibody candidate responses in animal models and in vitro experiments through modern immunological, bacterial and viral assays.
• Support/Design the implementation of automation strategies for high-throughput purification of antigens, antibodies, and bi/multispecific antibodies.
• Accomplish goals under project team timelines.
• Interface with multiple discovery project and matrix teams across the organization.
• Collaborate with other relevant functional areas at IAVI, including Quality, Product Development. Center, Regulatory, Clinical, Epidemiology, Access, etc.
• Effectively manage team, projects and resources to maximize progress.
• Effectively communicate research progress and opportunities to senior management.
• Support data and method transfer within/outside the department.
• Participate in day-to-day laboratory management.
• Write formal technical reports, methods and procedures.
• Train and supervise personnel as required.
• Specify, purchase, install and maintain equipment as required.
• Be a hands-on presence in the laboratory.
• Comply with HSE guidelines.
• Support publications in high-tier journals and present at international meetings, serving as the subject matter expert and present data at international conferences, to regulatory bodies and governmental agencies.
• Support a culture that embraces scientific excellence, continuous learning, and increasing team’s ability to deliver novel drug candidates.
• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Education and Experience:

• M.D., MD/PhD or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, or related discipline with demonstrated capabilities in translational immunology and infectious disease research is required.
• A minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience is required.
• Significant record of professional accomplishment including publications, patents, and invited speaking engagements highly preferred.
• Experience in developing country realities, and expertise in areas relevant to the project.
• A demonstrated record of scientific accomplishment.
• Proven track record in project delivery, particularly in an industrial setting is required.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Willingness to travel and work at the IAVI office in New Delhi regularly (1-2 days week) is required.
• Strong understanding of immunological techniques including ELISA, ELISPOT, flow cytometry, MSD, etc.
• Believes in the potential of collaborative approaches to problem solving; able to contribute to and follow the project plan with minimal guidance from the Head, Discovery Science.
• Experienced in leading and mentoring a group of scientists.
• Ability to manage short-term and long-term lab resource needs and facility budgets to achieve the set objectives.
• Effective scientific communicator as evidenced by publications and presentations at scientific meetings.
• An understanding of priority-setting, resource management and the bridge-building required to foster scientific cooperation.
• Encourages open communication and participation with an emphasis on transparency and the sharing of information.
• Able to handle challenging situations, including daunting tasks and complex interpersonal issues, with a calm, assured, unflagging approach that keeps all “eyes on the prize.”
• A champion of innovation who responds to complex problems and challenges by applying new perspectives and exploring a variety of relevant possible solutions.
• A team player and team-builder who is willing to work with and patiently align diverse stakeholders who maintain their individual autonomy and decision-making.
• Strong capabilities in experimental design, execution and data interpretation.
• Ability to provide scientific guidance, leadership and training to others within/outside the department.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal is required.

Organizational Overview:

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV and tuberculosis. Our mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Through scientific and clinical research in Africa, India, Europe, and the U.S., IAVI is pioneering the development of biomedical innovations designed for broad global access. We develop vaccines and antibodies in and for the developing world and seek to accelerate their introduction in low-income countries. IAVI programs and partnerships are grounded in the regions of the world where the disease burden is the greatest, and our approach emphasizes sustainability. Our network of clinical research center partners in Africa and India helps strengthen in-country research capacity and supports the training and education of the next generation of scientists. The global impact of our science includes fundamental contributions to understanding the biology of HIV infection, which IAVI and others are applying toward advancing vaccine science and immunology. IAVI accelerates scientific discovery and development by fostering unique collaborations among academia, industry, local communities, governments, and funders to explore new and better ways to address public health threats that disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Our global reach, including a clinical research network in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed us to make fundamental contributions to understanding the epidemiology, transmission, virology, and immunology of HIV. This work played a key role in facilitating the design of promising HIV vaccine candidates, as well as the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are now being advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention. Our integrated capabilities in vaccine and antibody discovery, development, and clinical research take advantage of bio-pharmaceutical industry expertise to accelerate the development and testing of prevention methods for HIV and other diseases. Through the Product Development Center, we support external researchers with technical and scientific expertise to accelerate the development of their own products.