Dermaliq is a private clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on dermatology. Our mission is to develop breakthrough topical skin care products based on hyliQ, a unique, validated and proprietary enabling technology platform. More on www.dermaliq.com.

The skin is one of the body's strongest protective barriers. We want you to help us cross it to treat severe, inherited skin diseases effectively and safely.

We are expanding our research and development activities and are looking for a

Senior Scientific Lead, Early Development – Topical Nucleic Acid Therapy m/f/d

For our progressing R&D program of topical nucleic acid skin therapies we are looking for a passionate scientist who enjoys pushing topical skin therapy boundaries to new frontiers with scientific excellence and dedication for topical gene therapies.

• Advance science. Develop nucleic acid-based technologies from early research towards candidates for topical dermatology, bringing in your own ideas and scientific concepts into proof-of-concept.
• Prove feasibility. Translate early nucleic acid-based formulation technologies into functional and cell-based assays to demonstrate technical feasibility and clinical relevance. Design pre-clinical models and studies, and interpret and present your data to peers and experts.
• Drive the work with our partners. Own your projects starting with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) with operational excellence and full budget accountability, including the selection, recommendation and management of external research organizations, ensuring high-quality execution and scientific rigor.
• Shape the direction. Help define the development strategy, present results and recommendations to management, and take the opportunity to build a team as the program evolves.

• PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry or similar.
• Several years of relevant experience in nucleic acid therapeutics within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Deep expertise in nucleic acid-based technologies such as siRNA, ASO, and/or mRNA.
• Hands-on experience in nucleic-acid delivery system for cellular and tissue targeting including in-vitro, ex-vivo, functional or cell-based assays.
• Experience with nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms (e.g. LNPs).
• Track record in running early development projects.
• Experience in managing external partners, e.g. external research providers, CROs.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to present complex science convincingly to cross-functional teams, governance committees, and company stakeholders.

• We are highly innovative and act within the international biotech environment with a strong scientific foundation, patient focus and a promising and growing product pipeline in dermatology.
• You will work with a high degree of independence within a bigger team, shape the scientific direction, and see your own ideas turn into results.

Company name: StepStone Deutschland GmbH