Scientific Director

Company Description

Aethl Bio, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based biotechnology company developing next-generation platforms at the intersection of wound care and wellness. Grounded in scientific rigor, regulatory discipline, and audacious innovation, we are building solutions for a future where chronic wounds no longer define lives or limit potential.

Role Description

Aethl Bio is seeking a highly motivated, talented, and creative scientist with experience and some expertise in the areas of material sciences, wound dressings, preclinical development, and regenerative medicine for a Scientific Director position. This is a fast-paced and highly innovative opportunity that provides the suitable candidate with full creative control and development of a research and development functional group from the ground up.

The Scientific Director will serve as the lead investigator for development of existing and novel products targeting improvements to chronic wound treatment. This role is responsible for many value-driven tasks spanning all areas of scientific development including scientific communication, experimental design, literature review and comprehension, and scientific oversight. The ideal candidate for this position will have a growth mindset who can lead scientific innovation in a fast-paced environment and who can direct the growth of Aethl’s Research and Development department. This growth may include, but is not limited to, broadening responsibilities as required by business objectives, the sourcing and review of candidates that can aid in scientific development of existing and future products (i.e. lab techs, scientists, etc.), providing relevant training on scientific or engineering principles, development of quality targets, and the review and optimization of manufacturing processes. It is also expected that the Scientific Director will design, source, and purchase all equipment and resources required to develop laboratory capabilities necessary to support Aethl Bio’s research and development goals. This may include direct purchase of equipment, managing contract research organizations, or identifying and partnering with biotech incubator resources.

A key objective for an individual in this role is to drive Aethl Bio’s innovation initiative. Initially this will focus on the development of the company’s existing products, but a parallel path investigating the possibility of technologic platforming will also be expected. This may include evaluating the adoption of existing technology for treatment of additional diseases; identifying and evaluating novel materials, excipients, or pharmaceutics that can aid in resolving chronic wounds; or designing novel medical products that have strong potential for commercial viability. Aethl Bio is actively developing products that would be regulated through 510(k) regulatory pathways, but is interested in developing combination products in the future.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD with 8+ (BS), 5+ (MS), and 0-3 (PhD) years of experience in pharmaceutical or related industry. Preferred educational background includes but is not restricted to Material Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering.
• Competent understanding of the design and development of controllable release systems (i.e. hydrogels, microparticles, nanoparticles, etc.)
• Familiarity with techniques to characterize the macroscale and nanoscale physicochemical properties of medical devices and their interaction with a host
• Ability to design multi-variate experiments towards the optimization of multiple parameters
• Knowledge of preclinical and clinical development formulation design across multiple dosage forms.
• Record of independently leading research for short- and long-term organizational objectives.
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate scientific topics to a broad distribution of scientific knowledge base (i.e. no experience to experienced)

In addition to the qualifications outlined above, candidates will be considered particularly strong with the following

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with 510(k) regulatory filings and associated safety testing requirements
• Experience with CMC regulatory requirements and GMP manufacturing requirements for medical devices, combination products, and pharmaceutical products indicated for use in open skin lesions.
• Process Design and Scale-Up of manufacturing equipment
• Awareness of chronic wound physiology and existing strategies to amplify the repair process in a variety of disease presentations (i.e. Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers, Venous Ulcers, etc.)
• Prior experience with biotech start-ups and demonstrated competency pitching scientific concepts or data to prospective investors
• Strong record of ethics in science and the ability to advocate for the adoption of best practices across manufacturing, quality, and research

Additional Information

Onsite requirements for this position will change over time. For the first 3-6 months, it is anticipated that the responsibilities of this role may be completed fully remote with 10-20% travel. Following this time, the requirements will shift towards hybrid (i.e. 3 days/wk in office, 2 days remote) as required by business objectives. The onsite location will be in central Ohio or Pittsburgh, PA.

Salary range for this position will be determined by relevant experience level but may range from $80,000 - $140,000. Eligible for stock options (ISOs); specific terms provided at offer stage.

This position provides full health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aethl Bio is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants and employees with disabilities.