Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
### Why this Role is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
While this listing sits outside traditional SaaS, it is notable for SaaS-minded professionals because it reflects how software-led operating models are spreading into R&D-heavy domains. Profluent positions itself as an AI-first company, and the role anchors decision-making around high-quality datasets, cross-functional alignment, and repeatable execution patterns that resemble product and platform work in mature SaaS organizations.
From a career-development standpoint, the position offers exposure to building a function rather than simply running established processes. Leading external partners, standardising workflows, and translating complex signals into clear go or no-go recommendations are skills that transfer well across SaaS environments where teams must operationalise experimentation, define decision criteria, and scale reliable delivery across multiple programs or product lines.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
Profluent is an AI-first protein design company. Founded in 2022, we develop deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. Based in Emeryville, CA, we are backed by leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Bezos Expeditions, Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures, and have raised over $150M to date.
Profluent is seeking a rigorous and highly collaborative Associate Director - Director to lead in vivo pharmacology strategy and execution for our customized base editor therapeutics. You will oversee rodent and non-human primate (NHP) studies designed to evaluate editing activity, delivery, biodistribution, durability, tolerability, biomarker response, and translational potential.
The successful candidate will serve as the in vivo pharmacology lead on cross-functional program teams, partnering closely with gene editing, protein engineering, delivery, computational biology, bioanalytics, translational science, and external CROs. You will generate and interpret decision-quality in vivo datasets that guide editor selection, dose strategy, candidate nomination, and IND-enabling development plans.
This is an excellent opportunity to help build the in vivo pharmacology function for a new class of AI-designed gene editing medicines and to shape how Profluent advances therapeutic candidates from discovery into development.
Responsibilities
- Lead in vivo pharmacology strategy for Profluent’s customized base editor programs, spanning rodent and NHP studies from early proof-of-concept through candidate nomination and IND-enabling planning. Initial programs will focus on liver-targeted therapies for inborn errors of metabolism, with opportunities to expand into extrahepatic indications over time
- Design and oversee studies evaluating editing efficiency, delivery performance, tissue biodistribution, exposure, dose response, durability, pharmacodynamic biomarkers, tolerability, and translational relevance
- Serve as the in vivo pharmacology representative on cross-functional program teams, translating complex datasets into clear recommendations for program strategy, candidate selection, dose rationale, and development path
- Lead and manage external study execution with CROs and vivarium partners, including protocol development, vivarium operations, vendor selection, study monitoring, sample logistics, data QC, troubleshooting, and report review
- Partner with bioanalytical, molecular biology, computational, and translational teams (or CROs) to integrate NGS, ddPCR/qPCR, RNA/protein, histology, clinical chemistry, cytokine, immunology, and other study readouts
- Build scalable in vivo pharmacology capabilities, including study design templates, decision criteria, CRO/vendor workflows, sample management processes, and data review standards
- Contribute to regulatory-facing pharmacology packages, including summaries of study design, dose selection, biodistribution, pharmacodynamics, durability, and translational rationale
- Mentor researchers and help establish a high-performing, collaborative, and analytically rigorous in vivo pharmacology function
Qualifications
- PhD or equivalent in pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, bioengineering, or a related field, + 6-8 years of relevant industry experience in in vivo pharmacology and preclinical development
- Demonstrated experience designing, managing, and interpreting rodent and NHP pharmacology studies and supporting IND-enabling studies
- Experience with genetic medicines, such as genome editing, base editing, gene therapy, RNA medicines, oligonucleotide therapeutics, LNP delivery, viral vectors, or related modalities
- Strong understanding of PK/PD, dose response, biodistribution, target engagement, pharmacodynamic biomarkers, translational endpoints, and preclinical development strategy
- Experience leading CRO studies, including protocol design, vendor oversight, study monitoring, data QC, troubleshooting, and report review
- Ability to operate as a senior cross-functional scientific leader, translating in vivo data into program recommendations
- Excellent communication skills and experience presenting strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to program teams and senior leadership
What We Offer
- High-growth opportunity with meaningful impact on the future of protein design
- Competitive compensation package with equity participation
- 401(k) with a strong employer match
- Comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance
- Generous PTO policy and commitment to work-life balance
- Professional development opportunities in a cutting-edge field at the intersection of AI and biology
Profluent Bio, Inc is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must have ongoing work authorization in the United States that does not require employer sponsorship. Sponsorship will not be provided now or at any time in the future for this position.
Employment Eligibility Verification
Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired must verify their identity and work eligibility and complete the required employment verification form upon hire.
Hiring Salary Range
$200,000—$260,000 USD
