Scientific Director

Title: Scientific Director

Location: Primarily in office at 3535 Market Street | Philadelphia, PA 19104 with some flexibility for remote work

Compensation: $100,000-115,000, Salaried, Exempt

Application Deadline: Friday, October 18, 2024

Skills: Detail oriented, reliable and dependable, excellent problem solving skills, strong team player, collaborative, focused on results/mission/impact

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The Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) is a global nonprofit organization on a mission to create a world where all Castleman disease patients live full lives. The CDCN is dedicated to accelerating research and treatment for this rare and potentially life-threatening disease, supporting patients on their journeys, and revolutionizing biomedical research for countless other diseases. In the last 12 years, we have led the development of the first-ever diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines for Castleman disease, uncovered multiple new treatments, and helped thousands of patients around the world. Our work has been highlighted by the New York Times, Good Morning America, CNN and other major media outlets. 

Position Summary

We are seeking a Scientific Director to play a vital role on the leadership team of the CDCN and to lead all scientific activities for the organization in order to maximize patient impact. This position reports directly to the CDCN Executive Director, Mary Zuccato, and partners closely with the CDCN President, David Fajgenbaum.

The Scientific Director is instrumental in providing scientific leadership, expertise, and support across the organization while also overseeing the Scientific Advisory Board, research projects, and scientific publications. Leveraging extensive scientific knowledge and experience, the Scientific Director plays a critical role in advancing Castleman disease research, ensuring scientific rigor, and aligning research efforts with organizational goals, while also communicating externally to inspire others and promote our mission.

Ideal Candidate 

The ideal candidate is experienced as a senior scientific leader in academia or industry. This candidate maintains both the integrity of the details and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Strong interpersonal skills, collaboration, founder’s mentality, and diplomacy are needed!

The Scientific Director’s contributions have a profound impact on the organization’s scientific integrity, research outcomes, and mission to find life-saving treatment for Castleman disease.

Responsibilities 

• Partnering with the CDCN President, David Fajgenbauum, and members of the Scientific Advisory Board to develop and implement the scientific research plan for the CDCN. Monitor progress and ensure that scientific initiatives align with the goals and objectives of the CDCN.
• Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Castleman disease physicians, immunology researchers, scientific advisors, and others partners from biotech, pharma, and venture capital. Develop strategies to enhance scientific collaboration and synergy across members of the CDCN. Identify potential partnerships, negotiate, and manage partnerships, collaborations, and agreements with external entities to advance goals of the CDCN.
• Engage the patient, physician, and researcher communities to determine the most high-priority research opportunities
• Engage with researchers from around the world and distribute funding to perform studies that will have the greatest impact on patients
• Work closely with researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory (CSTL) to interpret, analyze, and advance research findings related to Castleman disease
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, trends, and breakthroughs in Castleman disease and immunology research, leveraging innovative approaches to drive scientific discovery and therapeutic development.
• This position will also play a critical role in identifying key gaps in Castleman disease research, helping to prioritize transformational research that will have the greatest clinical impact on patient care.
• Advance strategic research priorities such as developing a diagnostic blood test for Castleman disease.
• Roles and responsibilities related to the mission of the organization, as needed.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) required (MBA or MPH a plus)
• Work Experience: Proven 5-10+ years experience in a senior scientific leadership role, such as Scientific Lead, Research Director, or similar.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in biomedical research, or related scientific fields.
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable strategies and recommendations.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively across diverse teams.

How to Apply

Please email a cover letter detailing your interest and fit for this role and a resume to gifts@castlemannetwork.org by Friday, October 18, 2024. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

About the CDCN

The Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) was formed in 2012 and is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating research and treatment for this rare and potentially life-threatening disease, supporting patients on their journeys, and revolutionizing biomedical research to cure countless other diseases. The CDCN offers much-needed hope to individuals with Castleman disease (CD) and their loved ones, skillfully turning hope into action and promising research into permanent cures. See this video from our celebration marking 10 years of lifesaving research! The CDCN is also a leading rare disease nonprofit, with our work highlighted by the New York Times, Good Morning America, CNN and other major media outlets over the past several years.

The role of Program Coordinator will be critical to the success of the organization and our mission to cure Castleman disease and related conditions.