Associate Director/Director, Translational Biology

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BridgeBio seeks an Associate Director/Director of Translational Biomarker Science in San Carlos, CA, onsite. You will lead assay development, validation, and biomarker strategies across programs, blending biology with leadership to accelerate decisions from discovery through IND. The role includes supervising scientists, defining study plans, and ensuring regulatory readiness. Requirements: MS or PhD in biology or related field, 10+ years in translational science with cell-based and biochemical assays (ELISA, multiplex, Western), assay transfer to CROs, and regulatory filings. Tips: tailor your CV to highlight end-to-end biomarker programs, IND experience, leadership impact, and clear metrics; demonstrate collaboration with biostatistics and clinical operations and alignment with BridgeBio’s mission.

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Mavericks Wanted

When was the last time you achieved the impossible? If that thought feels overwhelming, you might want to pause here, but if it sparks excitement...read on
 
In 2015, we pioneered a “moneyball for biotech” approach, pooling projects and promising early-stage research from academia together under one financial umbrella to reduce risk and unleash innovation. This model allows science and small teams of experts to lead the way. We build bridges to groundbreaking advancements in rare disease, and develop life-changing medicines for patients with unmet needs as fast as humanly possible. 
 
Together we define white space, push boundaries and empower people to solve problems. If you're someone who defies convention, join us and work alongside some of the most respected minds in the industry. Together, we'll ask "why not?" and help reengineer the future of biopharma. At BridgeBio, we value curiosity and experimentation—including the ethical & thoughtful use of AI to improve clarity, speed, and quality of work.

What You'll Do

The Associate Director of Biomarker Science will be leading assay development, validation, and translational biomarker strategies across BridgeBio affiliate programs. This role requires a hands-on scientific leader who can design and validate assays, integrate biomarkers into clinical development, manage vendor partnerships, and communicate results to internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of discovery, preclinical development and clinical operations- providing scientific leadership and operational rigor to accelerate program decision-making. This position includes supervisory responsibilities: you will both lead scientific work and manage a team of scientists and technical staff, providing coaching, career development, resource planning and performance management.

Responsibilities

Discovery & Biology Strategy

• Define the biology strategy to support target validation, mechanism-of-action studies, and medicinal chemistry optimization
• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments that demonstrate target engagement, functional pharmacology and disease-relevant biology to inform med chem SAR and lead optimization
• Coordinate with medicinal chemistry, structural biology and pharmacology teams to prioritize compounds, define target product profiles, and support lead selection
• Translate discovery findings into criteria and experimental plans that feed into IND-enabling studies and inform go/no-go decision points

Assay Development and Validation:

• Lead design, development and validation of biomarker and pharmacodynamic assays (cell-based, biochemical, ELISA/multiplex immunoassays, Western blotting, biophysical protein characterization, etc.) to support translational and clinical programs
• Set assay performance criteria and qualification/validation plans; author SOPs and validation reports; implement QA/QC practices to ensure reproducible assay performance

Clinical Trial Support:

• Translate preclinical biomarker findings into clinical biomarker strategies and practical assay deployment plans
• Collaborate with clinical operations, sample management and biostatistics to design sample collection, processing, storage and chain-of-custody procedures
•  Oversee incorporation of biomarker testing into Phase 1–3 protocols, including sample handling, endpoint definitions and analysis plans

Vendor Management:

• Identify, qualify and manage relationships with external vendors, CROs and CLIA laboratories for assay development, transfer and routine execution
• Lead vendor qualification, technology transfer, assay bridging and vendor audits to ensure regulatory readiness and data quality

Regulatory Compliance and Filings:

• Ensure biomarker assays and data collection comply with applicable regulatory standards (GCP/GLP where applicable)
• Contribute clinical assay sections and assay validation summaries for regulatory submissions (INDs, briefing packages, NDAs) and support responses to regulatory questions

Data Management and Analysis:

• Partner with biostatistics to develop statistical analysis plans, define analytical endpoints and produce tables, listings and figures for decision-making and regulatory documents
• Oversee rigorous data capture, QC and reporting for clinical biomarker datasets and preclinical/clinical study reports
• Contribute to statistical analysis plans and the design of tables, listings, and figures

Scientific Communication & Leadership

• Prepare and present scientific reports, publications and conference abstracts; engage with key opinion leaders to inform biomarker strategy
• Present translational data to program teams and senior leadership; mentor and develop early-career scientists
• Support internal initiatives to capture lessons learned, propagate best practices and continuously improve biomarker workflows
• Collaborate with drug discovery, clinical development, and regulatory affairs teams to integrate biomarker strategies
• Present data to the broader MLBio team, including scientific, clinical, and business leaders

Where You'll Work

This role involves primarily hands-on laboratory responsibilities in our San Carlos, CA location.

Who You Are

• Minimum Education requirement:
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related discipline.

Relevant Experience

• Minimum 10 years of industry experience in translational science, biomarker development, or related roles supporting clinical development.
• Demonstrated track record developing and validating cell-based and biochemical assays for clinical use; experience with ELISA, multiplex immunoassays, Western blotting and protein characterization methods.
• Hands-on experience with assay transfer to CRO labs, vendor qualification, and supporting regulatory filings.
• Strong understanding of clinical study design, GCP, and regulatory expectations for biomarker data.
• Experience writing scientific and regulatory documents and collaborating with cross-functional teams including biostatistics.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong scientific judgment and experimental design skills; ability to interpret complex datasets and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and oral communication; experience presenting to scientific and business audiences.
• Proven leadership and mentorship skills; collaborative, proactive and team-oriented approach.
• Detail-oriented with strong project management abilities and a commitment to high quality data and documentation.

Travel

• Travel for vendor management/audits and scientific meetings as required.

Rewarding Those Who Make the Mission Possible

We have high expectations for our team members. We make sure those working hard for patients are rewarded and cared for in return. 

Financial Benefits:

• Market leading compensation 
• 401K with 100% employer match on first 3% & 50% on the next 2%
• Employee stock purchase program
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Referral program with $2,500 award for hired referrals

Health & Wellbeing:

• Comprehensive health care with 100% premiums covered - no cost to you and dependents
• Mental health support via Spring Health (6 therapy sessions & 6 coaching sessions)
• Hybrid work model - employees have the autonomy in where and how they do their work 
• Unlimited flexible paid time off - take the time that you need
• Paid parental leave - 4 months for birthing parents & 2 months for non-birthing parents
• Flex spending accounts & company-provided group term life & disability 
• Subsidized lunch via Forkable on days worked from our office

Skill Development & Career Paths:

• People are part of our growth and success story - from discovery to active drug trials and FDA pipelines, there are endless opportunities for skill development and internal mobility
• We provide career pathing through regular feedback, continuous education and professional development programs via LinkedIn Learning, LifeLabs, Spring Health & BetterUp Coaching
• We celebrate strong performance with financial rewards, peer-to-peer recognition, and growth opportunities

 

 

At BridgeBio, we strive to provide a market-competitive total rewards package, including base pay, an annual performance bonus, company equity, and generous health benefits. Below is the anticipated salary range for candidates for this role who will work in California. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type, and length of experience within the industry, educational background, location of residence and performance during the interview process. BridgeBio is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions based in other states. Salary$214,400—$258,700 USD