Lindonlight

About Lindonlight

Lindonlight is dedicated to the discovery and development of transformative therapies for pediatric brain tumors. The organization operates as an integrated ecosystem comprised of the Lindonlight Foundation, Lindonlight Collective, and Lindonlight Bio.

Position Summary

The Director, Clinical & Translational Drug Repurposing will lead the development and execution of Lindonlight’s systematic drug repurposing strategy across pediatric glioma. This individual will integrate retrospective clinical trial analysis, molecular subtype stratification, biomarker datasets, and translational validation models to identify FDA-approved and late-stage clinical assets with potential for precision redeployment in pLGG and pHGG. This role requires deep knowledge of the oncology clinical landscape, experience working with large clinical and molecular datasets, and the ability to bridge data insights to actionable translational development strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Design and lead Lindonlight’s drug repurposing platform.
• Identify compounds with signals of activity in molecularly defined subgroups (e.g., H3K27M, FGFR1, BRAF-altered tumors).
• Develop subtype-specific therapeutic hypotheses grounded in mechanistic biology and clinical precedent.

Clinical Landscape & Data Integration

• Analyze large-scale clinical trial datasets and published trial outcomes.
• Integrate genomic, transcriptomic, methylation, and biomarker datasets to stratify potential responders.
• Collaborate with bioinformatics and data science partners to refine target populations.
• Evaluate regulatory and label-expansion feasibility for prioritized assets.

Translational Strategy

• Define preclinical validation strategies in genetically defined in vivo and in vitro models.
• Prioritize candidates for:
• Direct clinical repurposing
• Combination strategies
• ADC payload exploration
• Develop go/no-go criteria and milestone-driven development plans.

External Engagement

• Interface with academic investigators and clinical collaborators.
• Evaluate partnership opportunities for asset access and data-sharing.
• Present findings to internal leadership and scientific advisory stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with medicinal chemistry, immunotherapy, bioinformatics, and clinical strategy teams.
• Contribute to pipeline prioritization discussions.
• Support preparation of scientific strategy documents and investment memos.

Required Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in oncology, molecular biology, genomics, pharmacology, or related field.
• 8+ years experience in biotech/pharma or translational oncology research.
• Deep understanding of oncology clinical trial design and therapeutic landscape.
• Experience analyzing large clinical or molecular datasets (Including NCI-60, DepMap, and others).
• Working knowledge of bioinformatics pipelines and statistical interpretation.
• Strong understanding of biomarker-driven precision oncology.
• Demonstrated ability to translate data into actionable development strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in CNS tumors or pediatric oncology.
• Experience in drug repurposing management.
• Familiarity with IND strategy and regulatory positioning.
• Publication record in translational or clinical oncology.
• Experience collaborating with academic research centers.

Additional Information

• Reports to: Chief Scientific Officer
• Job Type: Full-time
• Schedule: Monday to Friday; Weekends as needed [On-Site]
• Work Hours: Requires flexibility to accommodate early-morning and evening meetings with international collaborators across various time zones, including Europe and Asia.
• Location: Cambridge, MA [Kendall Square]
• Travel: Approximately 10–15% | Includes monthly travel to Houston and occasional travel for scientific meetings or partnership engagements.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off

Lindonlight is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.