Head of Clinical Translational Medicine

Summary

Join Owkin as the Head of Clinical Translational Medicine and lead translational strategy and operations across Owkin's expanding clinical pipeline, focusing initially on OKN4395. This senior role blends strategic oversight with hands-on execution, advancing Owkin's AI capabilities through real-world clinical validation. You will analyze biomarker data, design innovative translational methodologies, drive biomarker development priorities, and shape translational programs to support regulatory approval and investor funding. You will also direct outsourcing and validation of clinical biomarker assays, manage vendor relationships, establish operational frameworks for companion diagnostics, and implement global sample collection workflows. Furthermore, you will foster collaboration between translational medicine, experimental biology, and AI/ML groups, coordinate translational activities across multiple programs, and develop compelling narratives for regulators and investors. The position is based in London or remotely in the UK or Germany.

Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in Life Sciences with demonstrated industry experience in bio/pharmaceutical sector
• Proven track record leading translational programs through collaborative leadership across multiple therapeutic modalities
• Extensive experience across multiple therapeutic modalities in oncology, including for example small molecules and antibody-drug conjugates
• Hands-on operational experience managing programs from preclinical transition through clinical proof of concept
• Experience integrating clinical, experimental, and computational approaches to biomarker development
• Budget management experience across multiple programs in matrix organizational environments
• Strong communication skills for presenting complex data to regulators, investors, and diverse stakeholder groups

Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret biomarker data from ongoing OKN4395 Phase 1 trial to aid proof-of-concept decision-making, optimize dosing, patient selection, and combination strategies
• Design and rapidly implement innovative translational methodologies for strategically important new assets across preclinical and early clinical development stages
• Drive strategic biomarker development priorities that inform both immediate clinical protocols and long-term asset development strategies
• Shape translational programs to support regulatory approval pathways and investor funding objectives
• Direct outsourcing and validation of clinical biomarker assays across small molecule and biologics programs
• Manage and oversee vendor relationships with central labs and analytical services to ensure fit-for-purpose data delivery on-time and on-budget
• Establish operational frameworks for companion diagnostics spanning traditional genetic/IHC and emerging AI-enabled methodologies
• Implement global sample collection and processing workflows that meet both regulatory standards and operational feasibility requirements
• Drive collaborative partnership between translational medicine, experimental biology teams, and AI/ML groups to create integrated bench-to-bedside and back again hypothesis-testing cycles
• Partner with internal experimental teams to design and prioritize mechanistic experiments based on clinical findings
• Collaborate with AI/Data Science teams to advance Owkin K capabilities and drive clinical breakthroughs, generate real-world proof-points, and refine analytical models
• Synthesize insights across clinical, experimental, and computational domains to drive both tactical and strategic portfolio decisions
• Coordinate translational activities across expanding portfolio of programs at different development stages
• Collaborate with Discovery & Development teammates to ensure biomarker strategies strategically shape clinical protocols and asset development while maintaining medical and operational feasibility across global sites
• Develop compelling translational narratives for regulators and investors that support program advancement and funding objectives
• Participate in regulatory interactions with FDA, EMA, and global agencies while contributing biomarker strategies to regulatory submissions
• Lead academic collaborations and build strategic KOL relationships to enhance translational capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Companion diagnostics regulatory knowledge with experience in both traditional and emerging AI-enabled approaches
• Strategic assay development experience - ability to anticipate and prioritize biomarker needs based on clinical insights
• Academic collaboration experience and ability to coordinate experimental and computational teams
• Experience with immuno-oncology mechanisms and AI/ML applications in clinical development
• Global clinical operations experience across multiple regulatory jurisdictions
• Matrix organization experience - proven ability to deliver results through influence and cross-functional collaboration

Benefits

• Flexible work organization
• Friendly and informal working environment
• Opportunity to work with an international team with high technical and scientific backgrounds