Organizational Overview
Founded in 1998, the ADDF is the only non-profit dedicated solely to developing drugs and diagnostics for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In 2018 with a coalition of philanthropists, the ADDF Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) was launched with the bold mission to accelerate the development of blood-based and digital biomarkers to detect, diagnose, and monitor Alzheimer’s disease utilizing a venture philanthropy model.
The DxA focuses on translating the knowledge we have gained about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease into biomarkers to enable precision medicine. We support an array of biomarker approaches in different stages of development. The venture philanthropy model combines deep disease-focused expertise with funding for high-risk/high-reward translational programs from academia and biotechnology companies worldwide. By assuming the risk, the ADDF DxA enables leading scientists to pursue pioneering ideas that would otherwise go unexplored.
Position Summary:
The ideal candidate is a highly curious and motivated scientist seeking to accelerate the translation of biomarker research projects into products for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. As part of a venture philanthropy model that funds academic and biotechnology programs, this individual will serve as a subject matter expert on fluid and digital biomarkers, work with a team of scientists to support the management of the ADDF DxA research portfolio and strategic partnerships with industry, investors, and other funding agencies.
Placement:
This position will report directly to the Senior Director for Biomarker Development. Title will be commensurate with experience. This is a full-time exempt position based in the NY metropolitan area. Out-of-state applicants can apply if willing to travel to NYC a couple of days per month.
Key Responsibilities
- Support all aspects of the scientific review process by evaluating and prioritizing proposed biomarker approaches and coordinating internal and external review
- Proactively identify promising academic and biotech opportunities in the biomarker space by attending conferences, staying on top of the growing scientific literature, and connecting with key opinion leaders
- Provide strategic guidance to applicants and funded investigators in developing scientific work plans, fostering connections with collaborators and consultants, and identifying qualified service providers
- Monitor funded program progress by ensuring projects meet established timelines and milestones and closely working with investigators to troubleshoot when issues arise
- Produce detailed reporting to partners on the status of the review process and funding decisions on a regular basis
- Develop scientific agendas for ADDF conferences and coordinate strategic advisory meetings that address major obstacles or opportunities in Alzheimer’s and related dementias biomarker development
- Write peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Lead the effort to implement biomarker platforms and work with partners to develop capabilities in Informatics/Data Analytics/Statistics around the aggregation, collection, and interpretation of the high content biomarker data, facilitating effective clinical trial application, and data reuse for institutional knowledge and cross-trial comparisons
- Champion the effort to translate a project team’s biomarker needs into a fit-for-purpose biomarker assay and act as an analytical scientific expert in discussions on science/project progression, bringing rigor and quality to biomarker endpoints. Balance stakeholder expectations with scientific quality and validation requirements ensuring limitations of assays and data are well understood.
- Assist in the validation and commercialization of biomarker program funded by the ADDF
- Other related duties as necessary
Requirements
This position requires a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant biomedical discipline. The ideal candidate will have:
- Research experience in neuroscience, neurology, or a related field. A background in data science, biomedical engineering or management consulting is a plus.
- Experience in translational sciences, biomarker development is a requirement.
- Experience working in a matrixed environment is highly desirable.
- Exceptional project and time management skills with the ability to manage competing requests and shifting deadlines.
- Excellent oral communications and writing skills with demonstrated ability to communicate to both scientific and lay audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with partner organizations, key opinion leaders, donors, and staff.
- Strong experience interacting with project and regulatory teams, and delivering high quality data for nonclinical and clinical studies.
- Track record of managing complex technical, scientific and operational activities
- Strong external profile and key opinion leadership. Well connected with the leading relevant industry peers, regulatory development and academic thought leaders.
- Strong commitment to ADDF’s mission and cause.
To Apply:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Please state “Associate Director DXA” on the subject line. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. Applicants are directed to reach out to HR; please send a cover letter, resume and salary expectations to jobs@alzdiscovery.org.
ADDF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people. We welcome and encourage applicants for all positions respecting the full spectrum of education, experience, age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or other military status, or citizenship status, genetic carrier status, genetic information, AIDS or AIDS-related complex or HIV status, being a victim of domestic violence, protected activity (i.e., filing a charge of discrimination, participating in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposing prohibited discrimination), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.