Executive Director / Vice President, Biology & Translational Pharmacology

Profluent is an AI-first protein design company. Founded in 2022, we develop deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. Based in Emeryville, CA, we are backed by leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Bezos Expeditions, Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures, and have raised over $150M to date.

The Role

Profluent is seeking an exceptional Executive Director / Vice President, Biology & Translational Pharmacology to lead the scientific strategy and execution of our gene editing therapeutic portfolio. You will help realize the full potential of Profluent’s AI-designed, customized base editors by advancing a defined initial pipeline of genetic medicines for severe inborn metabolic diseases.

Our initial therapeutic focus for this role is liver-directed customized base editing, with future opportunities to expand into additional tissues and therapeutic areas as Profluent’s platform and portfolio grow. You will bring deep expertise in liver biology, metabolic disease, pharmacology, and in vivo disease models, along with the strategic range to help extend Profluent’s therapeutic engine beyond liver over time.

You will directly oversee translational biology and in vivo pharmacology, while also serving as the accountable scientific leader for 2–3 cross-functional therapeutic programs from product concept through development candidate nomination and IND-enabling studies. You will partner closely with teams across protein engineering, genome editing, delivery, computational biology, bioanalytics, CMC, regulatory, and external CROs to generate rigorous, decision-enabling data packages.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong drug-hunter mindset, deep experience in genetic medicines, and demonstrated expertise in connecting human genetics to translational biology. Direct experience with genome editing is valuable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Build and oversee a high-performing liver biology and translational pharmacology organization, including direct management of program and in vivo pharmacology leaders.
• Lead scientific strategy and execution for 2–3 liver-directed genetic medicine programs, translating Profluent’s customized base editor platform into a differentiated portfolio for severe inborn metabolic diseases.   
• Provide accountable leadership for cross-functional therapeutic program teams, integrating translational biology, genome editing, protein engineering, delivery, pharmacology, bioanalytics, CMC, regulatory, and preclinical development expertise.
• Partner with functional leaders to define program resourcing, critical-path activities, timelines, risks, and key experiments required to deliver development candidates and IND-ready data packages.
• Guide in vivo pharmacology strategy across rodent and NHP studies, including model selection, dose strategy, biodistribution, editing activity, durability, target engagement, pharmacodynamic biomarkers, tolerability, and translational relevance.
• Bring deep liver and metabolic disease expertise to the design of experiments that distinguish mechanism, causality, pharmacology, and therapeutic impact across genetically defined disease contexts.
• Apply strong scientific judgment to experimental design, data interpretation, and program decision-making, ensuring studies are efficient, well-controlled, and capable of supporting clear go/no-go decisions.
• Translate Profluent’s established liver portfolio vision into actionable program strategy for selected targets, while contributing to future prioritization of additional genetically defined opportunities in liver and other tissues.
• Represent program strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership, board members, external advisors, potential partners, investors, and collaborators.
• Cultivate a collaborative, execution-oriented culture that moves quickly while maintaining scientific rigor, thoughtful prioritization, and high standards for data quality.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent advanced degree in pharmacology, molecular biology, genetics, physiology, hepatology, bioengineering, medicine, or a related discipline.
• PhD in related discipline with significant (12+ years) biopharma R&D experience, with a strong track record in genetic medicines, liver biology, translational pharmacology, and preclinical development.
• Demonstrated track record advancing multiple therapeutic programs from concept through development candidate nomination; experience advancing at least one program into IND-enabling studies or clinical development is strongly preferred.
• Deep experience with genetic medicines or advanced therapeutic modalities, such as RNAi, antisense oligonucleotides, mRNA/LNP therapeutics, gene therapy, genome editing, or related platforms.
• Deep understanding of liver biology and metabolic disease, with the ability to connect human genetics, disease biology, pharmacology, biomarkers, translational models, and development strategy.
• Extensive experience with rare liver diseases, lipid biology, hepatology, fibrosis biology, and / or metabolic liver disease.
• Experience designing and interpreting in vivo pharmacology studies, including rodent and/or NHP studies evaluating PK/PD, biodistribution, dose response, target engagement, pharmacodynamic biomarkers, durability, efficacy, and tolerability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary scientific teams, including direct management of senior scientists or functional leaders and leadership of matrixed drug-discovery project teams.
• Working knowledge of IND-enabling requirements, toxicology interfaces, CMC considerations, bioanalytical assay needs, and regulatory expectations sufficient to guide program-level decisions.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor scientific and strategic messages for audiences ranging from technical project teams to senior executives, board members, external advisors, partners, and generalist investors.
• Direct experience or at least high-level familiarity with gene editing proteins such as nucleases, base editors, prime editors, recombinases, etc. 
• Team-centered and deeply collaborative, with a positive presence that motivates others; inspired by the opportunity to translate great science into meaningful outcomes for patients.

What We Offer

• High-growth opportunity with meaningful impact on the future of protein design
• Competitive compensation package with equity participation
• 401(k) with a strong employer match
• Comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance
• Generous PTO policy and commitment to work-life balance
• Professional development opportunities in a cutting-edge field at the intersection of AI and biology

Profluent Bio, Inc is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must have ongoing work authorization in the United States that does not require employer sponsorship. Sponsorship will not be provided now or at any time in the future for this position.

Employment Eligibility Verification

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired must verify their identity and work eligibility and complete the required employment verification form upon hire.