Director, Tumour Microenvironment Research

See Yourself at Telix

The Director or Tumour Microenvironment (TME) Research will independently lead the design, development and management of a portfolio of discovery research projects aimed at enhancing existing pipeline assets or developing new products that address unmet clinical & commercial needs.    This role is pivotal in driving innovation that adds value to Telix’s pipeline and supports long-term strategic objectives.

Leveraging deep expertise in TME, cancer biology, radiobiology and oncology, the Director will identify and prioritize opportunities to improve treatment options—whether by expanding indications for current products, optimizing their performance or identifying new cancer targets to create novel diagnostic and therapeutic radiolabeled agents.  Working closely with VP, Discovery Science, commercial leadership, Key Opinion Leaders, collaborators, and strategic partners, the Director will stay at the forefront of TME advancements, the field of cancer targets to shape a research theme aligned with Telix’s needs.

Other key responsibilities include developing a long-term research strategy, conducting due diligence on new opportunities, and evaluating the feasibility of new assets for progression into preclinical and early-stage development. This role aims to contribute to Telix’s future pipeline by delivering impactful research that both supports clinical innovation that is meaningful to patients and provides commercial success for shareholders.  

Key Accountabilities

Developing and managing a TME research plan in line with Telix’s strategic & commercial needs.

• Creation of commercially-relevant TME research plans to identify synergies between pipeline programs & research outcomes, to evaluate new cancer targets and to seek ways to add value to existing products in the pipeline.
• Working collaboratively with commercial leads, development program heads and other R&D leadership to identify clinical and commercial opportunities of interest and prioritize research accordingly.
• Demonstrated active identification and pursuit of academic or commercial collaborations and novel developments to support the research program. Including evaluating in-licensing opportunities.

Leading and Managing research projects with a commercial mindset to deliver meaningful research & clinical outcomes and effective delivery.

• Establishing effective plans and reporting milestones to deliver impactful research producing measurable research outcomes (e.g. data, patents, publications, conference abstracts) that directly support the design of new clinical studies.
• Building key relationships, network partnerships and collaborations through research partners, in-house and externally sourced resources to support the conduct of research projects.
• Manage the delivery of projects on time and budget; building cost-effective resourcing plans, including grant applications where appropriate, for implementation and achievement of research goals.

Providing scientific thought leadership on developments in the TME field, encouraging strategic partnerships with industry and academia to identify new opportunities.

• Embody the role of ‘subject matter expert’ regarding Cancer Target biology for radiation delivery via in-depth literature reviews, analysis of existing cancer biomarker datasets or the conduct of bespoke target validation studies as required.
• Evaluate scientific opportunities to optimize the performance of existing assets by expanding into new indications of interest (target evaluations), dosing improvements or drug combinations as suitable.
• Identifying validated or novel cancer targets of interest that are suitable for delivery of a diagnostic or therapeutic radiation payload.
• Based on understanding of TME and radiobiology; make recommendations for the selection of optimal radioisotope payloads for each targeting agent format.
• Through self-directed research, attendance at conferences or requests from programs, identify & prioritise prospective new opportunities and review and present data packages on targets or agents suitable for exploration in preclinical studies.

Supporting internal programs, key collaborations and potential commercial partnerships by providing technical support and advice.

• Partnering with a range of internal stakeholders from R&D colleagues, preclinical, clinical, project teams and into development streams and strategic alliances and business development to provide scientific and SME input.  Contributing to evaluation of opportunities and building new partnerships for development and commercial opportunities.

Education and Experience

• Post-graduate scientific qualifications required (minimum masters’ degree / PhD preferred)
• Relevant applied research experience in cancer biology, tumour microenvironment, oncology, radiobiology or radiopharmaceutical drug development projects.
• At least 10 years of relevant R&D experience with at least 2 years in clinical or commercial drug development. With a solid understanding of the pharmaceutical research environment and development and lifecycle management.
• Proven prior experience managing complex technical research programs and successful 3^rd party academic or commercial collaborations.

Key Capabilities:

• Inclusive mindset: Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for diversity, and actively work to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected
• Creativity and innovation: Possess a willingness to think outside the box and come up with unique and creative solutions to challenges
• Commitment to excellence: Take pride in your work and consistently strive for excellence in everything you do
• Results-oriented: Driven to achieve goals and objectives, with a strong focus on delivering measurable results
• Ethical behavior: Act with integrity and demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior in all interactions with colleagues and stakeholders
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, able to adjust to changing priorities, and willing to take on new challenges
• Strong communication skills: Able to communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, using clear and concise language
• Collaboration: Work effectively as part of a team, actively sharing knowledge and expertise to achieve common goals
• Resilience: Demonstrate the ability to bounce back from setbacks and persevere in the face of challenges
• Continuous learning: Show a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, continually seeking out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills