Expressions that Create Impressions

Syros is pioneering the understanding of the non-coding region of the genome to advance a new wave of medicines that control expression of genes. Syros has built a proprietary platform that is designed to systematically and efficiently analyze this unexploited region of DNA in human disease tissue to identify and drug novel targets linked to genomically defined patient populations. Because gene expression is fundamental to the function of all cells, Syros’ gene control platform has broad potential to create medicines that achieve profound and durable benefit across a range of diseases. Syros is currently focused on cancer and is advancing a growing pipeline of gene control medicines. Syros’ lead drug candidates are SY-1425, a selective RARα agonist in a Phase 2 clinical trial for genomically defined subsets of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, and SY-1365, a selective CDK7 inhibitor in a Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with advanced solid tumors. Led by a team with deep experience in drug discovery, development and commercialization, Syros is located in Cambridge, Mass.

Syros Pharmaceuticals is seeking a dynamic and experienced pharmacologist/toxicologist to join a team of highly motivated scientists that are translating fundamental insights into transcriptional regulation to discover and develop novel medicines targeting gene control.  Reporting directly to the Vice President of Biology, this is a unique opportunity to take on a leadership role with a broad range of responsibilities. 

The Director will assume primary responsibility for leadership in providing non-clinical pharmacology and toxicology expertise to Syros’ discovery and development teams. The successful candidate will have broad subject expertise including pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology with extensive experience in design, execution and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo studies.                                             

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership - provide expert scientific leadership in the areas of non-clinical pharmacology, DMPK and toxicology to preclinical discovery project teams, and ensure preclinical packages support clinical development.
• CRO selection & oversight - principle accountability for delivering critical project data through a network of external study providers. In collaboration with project teams, select CROs and participate in study design, troubleshooting, data analysis and interpretation, QC/audit and oversight of study reports.
• Pharmacology/DMPK - in partnership with project team, apply understanding of PK/PD and ADME to support compound advancement and evaluation.
  • Utilizing mouse tumor models and animal genetic disease models, define efficacy, pharmacodynamics and translational principles for selection of development candidate molecules.
  • Design, conduct and analyze DMPK studies to elucidate metabolic fate, drug-drug and transporter interactions.
  • Apply state-of-the-art allometric scaling and dose prediction models for oral and parenteral drugs.
  • Assist project team in developing clinical PK and PK/PD/pharmacology plan
• Toxicology - design, operationalize and interpret studies to evaluate candidate molecule toxicities, therapeutic index, and overall risk/benefit assessment.
• Translational and Biomarker studies - facilitate project transitions to Clinical Development in close collaboration with discovery, translational and clinical scientists.
• Regulatory - manage the preparation and/or presentation of nonclinical pharmacology sections of external documents (e.g. Investigator’s Brochure, IND/CTA, PIP, CTD, etc.).
• Flexibility - must be able to contribute to a portfolio of projects spanning early and late preclinical discovery, translational medicine, and clinical development.
• Vision - in collaboration with senior management provide a vision and plan for future growth of pharmacology/DMPK/toxicology functions at Syros.
• Communication - play a key role in representing to external parties data, interpretations and nonclinical plans for molecules in our pipeline.

Job Requirements:

• Must have 10+ years of experience in the pharma/ biotechnology industry
• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Pathology or other discipline with appropriate experience / PharmD in Pharmacology or Pharmaceutical Sciences / DVM with appropriate experience
• Strong, demonstrable track record of scientific leadership excellence
• Demonstrated small molecule drug discovery experience: track record of advancing multiple novel therapeutic agents from discovery into preclinical and subsequent clinical development as project team leader or member
• Experience in successfully selecting and managing CROs to provide high quality, timely and on-budget studies
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills - the ability to clearly and persuasively articulate complex concepts and strategies to a diverse audience.
• Experience in oncology is required and additional experience with animal models of genetic diseases strongly preferred
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary project team through successful transitions is preferred
• Desire and ability to work in a fast paced, cross-functional, flexible and team-oriented environment

Candidates who are enthusiastic team players that have a passion for making a difference in the discovery and development of life-saving medicines are encouraged to apply.

Finally, the candidate will need to embrace our values:

As a team we:

• are committed to transform the lives of patients
• are pioneering in our science
• challenge each other to achieve excellence
• work with passion, integrity and respect
• like rigorous work and serious fun

We are not seeking assistance from 3rd party agencies at this time.