Vice President of Translational Sciences

What if cancer drugs could find the tumor – and go nowhere else?

What if this means you could get potent therapy directly to the tumor, sparing healthy cells?

That’s the future we’re building at Shasqi, using Nobel Prize-winning science to unleash powerful therapies only where they’re needed.

We’re a small, driven team encompassing broad backgrounds and experiences, united by a single mission: make cancer treatments more effective with minimal side effects.

 

OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLES

• We move fast because speed matters to cancer patients.

• We aim to communicate openly and challenge ideas regardless of job title.

• We are bold, take risks, and push boundaries being led by science.

• We operate with humble confidence: meaning we can balance our sense of capability and conviction without ego, while being humble to seek advice and learn from our mistakes.

If that fires you up, come build the future of cancer therapy with us!

 

YOU’RE THE RIGHT FIT FOR SHASQI IF YOU..

• Are mission driven and eager to do the best work of your career, developing novel therapies that will transform cancer treatment.

• Can balance scientific rigor with a fast-paced environment.

• Are comfortable with ambiguity and making decisions in the face of uncertainty.

• Operate with a strong sense of agency and invite feedback and advice.

• Can challenge convention and think of creative solutions that meet the needs of the company.

• Are a doer, hands-on, resourceful, and do not hesitate to step up.

• Willing to collaborate, debate, commit to decisions clearly, and revisit when evidence demands it.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This is a foundational hire at a pivotal moment. As VP of Translational Sciences, you will be the scientific bridge between our discovery engine and clinical programs — owning the strategy and execution that translates CAPAC®-based assets to IND-enabling studies and into first-in-human trials.

Reporting to the CEO, this role will partner across our research, clinical, and regulatory teams to build the translational framework that our next wave of programs depends on. This is a high-impact, hands-on role for someone who thrives at the interface of research and the clinic. It also offers the opportunity to build and lead the translational function as our pipeline scales in the future.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

TRANSLATIONAL STRATEGY

• Accountable for the translational development strategy for pipeline assets from drug candidate through IND submission and Phase 1 entry

• Support translational hypotheses and biomarker strategies that connect preclinical biology to clinical endpoints

• Support indication selection frameworks and biomarker-driven go/no-go criteria that guide program progression decisions

• Support targeted patient stratification and enrichment strategies that inform clinical trial design and improve probability of success

• Identify and prioritize experiments, models, and data packages needed to support regulatory filings and clinical decision-making

• Partner with research and clinical leadership to align translational milestones with overall program strategy

• Characterize drug mechanisms of action and resistance to inform clinical hypotheses, patient selection, and combination strategies

IND & REGULATORY READINESS

• Lead the scientific content and coordination of IND-enabling activities, including PK/PD, safety, and biomarker packages

• Author and review translational sections of INDs, investigator brochures, and other regulatory documents

• Serve as the translational science lead in interactions with FDA and other regulatory agencies

• Ensure preclinical-to-clinical bridging is scientifically rigorous and clearly communicated

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Collaborate closely with Research (animal models, PK/PD, efficacy), Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, and CMC to ensure translational readiness at each program gate

• Support clinical protocol development by providing translational rationale for dosing, scheduling, patient selection, and biomarker collection

• Contribute to the design and interpretation of early clinical data to inform go/no-go decisions and Phase 2 design

• Build, mentor, and scale the translational science function as programs grow

EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS

• Identify and manage together with research and clinical leadership, academic collaborators, CROs, and biomarker labs that support translational programs

• Represent Shasqi's translational science at conferences, in publications, and in partnership discussions

• Co-author scientific publications, regulatory documents, and contribute to IP filings that protect and advance Shasqi’s platform

• Articulate Shasqi’s translational strategy and platform differentiation to the board and other external partners/investors as needed.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. in oncology, pharmacology, cancer biology, or a related field.

• 12+ years experience in translational oncology drug development at a biotech or pharma company, including personally leading and advancing at least two programs from preclinical candidates through IND filing and into Phase 1.

• Deep understanding of IND-enabling studies and the preclinical data packages required by the FDA and other regulatory agencies.

• Hands-on experience with PK/PD, biomarker strategy, and dose selection for oncology programs.

• Strong scientific writing skills with experience authoring regulatory documents.

• Ability to work at the bench-to-bedside interface in a small, fast-moving team.

• Comfort being the most senior translational scientist in the company — supporting the design of studies and authoring regulatory documents directly, with limited support infrastructure and a high tolerance for ambiguity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with solid tumor indications.

• Prior experience at a company transitioning from preclinical to clinical stage.

• Comfort working across diverse modality types (small molecules, biologics, ADCs or other targeted therapies) — candidates from a range of therapeutic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

• Experience collaborating with bioinformatics or computational biology teams on biomarker discovery, patient stratification, or translational data analysis.

 

HOW WE WORK:

• We are a remote-first company. We move quickly and operate with a high level of ownership and accountability.

• Core collaboration window: 9:00am–3:00pm Pacific Time. You are expected to be available during this time for meetings and real-time collaboration.

• Async + sync balance: Outside of core hours, we work asynchronously, but timely communication and follow-through are expected.

• Meetings: You should be comfortable joining video calls, sharing availability on calendar and actively participating during core hours.

• You should be comfortable working across common tools including Zoom, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, and similar platforms.

 

COMPENSATION & ELIGIBILITY

COMPENSATION AT SHASQI

• Competitive base salary as part of a broader total rewards package.

• Equity: Included as part of total compensation.

• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k), short- and long-term disability.

• Flexible PTO and a WFH stipend to support remote work.

• Ongoing opportunities for professional development, growth, and mentorship.

SALARY RANGE

• The anticipated base salary range for this role is $300,00 - $325,000 USD, plus annual performance bonus and meaningful equity participation.

• Final compensation will depend on location, experience, skills, education, and internal equity.

• Our ranges are intentionally broad to reflect market conditions and the specialized nature of our work.

ELIGIBILITY

• U.S.-based employees only.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

• We are not currently sponsoring visas.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Travel: approximately 10% for team meetings, scientific conferences, CRO and collaborator site visits, and regulatory interactions.

 

ABOUT SHASQI

Shasqi is a biotech company advancing a new class of targeted cancer therapies, built on Nobel prize-winning technology called click chemistry. Backed by leading biotech investors, we are building a pipeline of first-in-class therapies that are designed to overcome the limitations of ADCs increasing efficacy and limiting toxicities. Our lead asset will be entering the clinic in early 2027.

You can learn more about our company at www.shasqi.com http://www.shasqi.com

Please Note:

At this time, Shasqi is not partnering with external recruiting agencies. We kindly ask that agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this role.

Shasqi is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic under applicable law.