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The Position

Oncology Discovery Research Unit Head - Targeted Drug Delivery

As a Research Unit Head in our Oncology Discovery organization, you will supervise a diverse team of approximately 15 scientists, fostering collaboration and mentoring across all levels. You will guide the team to deliver on high-impact oncology projects while ensuring operational excellence, prioritizing resources, and optimizing processes for efficiency.

The Opportunity

As a member of the Discovery Oncology leadership team, in this position, you lead one of six research units within the Oncology Discovery organization dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics. For this role, we are seeking a dynamic and visionary senior drug hunter to lead and expand our impact in the field of targeted drug delivery platforms & antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). We work closely with the core function collaborators within Oncology and the broader pRED community, and guide our scientific efforts to drive the robust oncology drug development pipeline with both short and long-term horizons in mind. The Discovery Leadership Team collectively leads the Discovery organization, ensuring a cohesive and collaborative approach to achieving our goals.

The ideal candidate brings a deep expertise in cancer biology, translational science, and targeted therapeutics, with a proven track record in ADC discovery and development. This role requires strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and scientific rigor to advance our pipeline and deliver innovative therapies to cancer patients.

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team in alignment with Roche’s leadership principles. Provide mentorship, feedback, and support to nurture professional growth. Encourage experimentation and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Lead cross-functional, high-impact projects with a strategic focus on innovation and discovery. Align efforts with global oncology research priorities and collaborate with internal and external partners to drive portfolio progression.

• Ensure optimal allocation and utilization of resources, maintaining high-quality standards and adhering to budgetary constraints. Continuously refine processes to improve efficiency and deliver timely results.

• Drive the evolution of scientific strategies within oncology discovery by incorporating groundbreaking technologies and research advancements. Represent the research unit at key internal and external forums, contributing to Roche’s leadership in oncology.

• Collaborate with external partners to explore new opportunities, manage innovation pipelines, and implement due diligence on external programs. Act as a key scientific expert in publications and international conferences.

Who You Are

We are seeking a leader who is passionate about pioneering advancements in oncology. You are a strategic thinker with a talent for guiding multidisciplinary teams and fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment where innovative ideas can thrive.

In this role, you will leverage your expertise to drive our drug discovery programs forward. We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

• A strong scientific foundation with a PhD, MD, or equivalent qualification in Molecular or Cellular Biology, complemented by over 10 years of experience in oncology drug discovery within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

• Proven success in drug discovery by initiating and executing targeted drug delivery programs. Your background includes experience with antibody-drug conjugates, novel concepts for targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads, and optimizing linker-payload technologies.

• Inspirational leadership qualities with a track record of building, mentoring, and motivating teams. You make thoughtful decisions with empathy and excel at managing projects and resources within a matrixed organization.

• A forward-thinking and collaborative mindset, with the ability to identify emerging scientific trends and influence key collaborators to achieve results in a dynamic, fast-paced research environment.

• Experience in strategic partnerships, including a history of evaluating external innovations and contributing to business development strategies.

Unwavering focus , collaborative teamwork and exceptional delivery are key behaviors that drive our mission of doing now what patients need next. Together, we can be transformative.

If you’re passionate about advancing oncology research and making a lasting impact on global healthcare, we invite you to join our innovative team at Roche.

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.