Job Description

At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives.

We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: “What would I do if this patient were my mom?”That question drives everything we do.

But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose.

Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.

The Director, Peptide Therapeutics will lead the formulation, design, development, and advancement of peptide-based therapeutics intended to target clinically relevant genetic mutations. This role will oversee scientific strategy and execution across peptide therapeutic discovery, formulation development, candidate optimization, and early-stage translational development.

This position will work cross-functionally with research, molecular oncology, bioinformatics, translational medicine, clinical development, regulatory, quality, and external partners to advance peptide-based drug candidates from concept through preclinical development. The Director will provide scientific leadership, manage project priorities, guide experimental design, and ensure that peptide therapeutic programs are aligned with Caris’ broader precision medicine and therapeutic development objectives.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of peptide therapeutic programs focused on targeting disease-associated mutations.
• Oversee peptide design, synthesis strategy, formulation development, optimization, characterization, and candidate selection.
• Direct the development of peptide-based drug candidates, including evaluation of potency, selectivity, stability, delivery, manufacturability, and translational relevance.
• Partner with genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, oncology, and translational science teams to identify mutation-driven therapeutic opportunities.
• Establish and manage workflows for peptide formulation, screening, lead optimization, and preclinical candidate advancement.
• Evaluate emerging peptide drug discovery technologies, delivery platforms, conjugation strategies, and formulation approaches to enhance therapeutic performance.
• Provide scientific oversight for internal teams, contract research organizations, academic collaborators, and external development partners.
• Design and review studies supporting mechanism of action, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and early development planning.
• Translate mutation biology and molecular profiling insights into actionable peptide therapeutic development strategies.
• Build project plans, define milestones, manage timelines, assess risks, and communicate program progress to senior leadership.
• Support intellectual property strategy through invention disclosure, patent review, and competitive landscape assessment.
• Contribute to regulatory and quality documentation related to peptide therapeutic development, as applicable.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop scientific staff, fostering a collaborative, rigorous, and innovation-focused research environment.
• Maintain current knowledge of peptide therapeutics, precision oncology, targeted drug development, formulation science, and relevant regulatory expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmacology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in peptide therapeutics, drug discovery, formulation development, pharmaceutical development, or targeted therapeutic development.
• Demonstrated experience leading peptide design, formulation, synthesis strategy, characterization, optimization, or development programs.
• Experience advancing therapeutic candidates through discovery, lead optimization, or preclinical development.
• Strong understanding of peptide chemistry, peptide stability, delivery technologies, formulation principles, analytical characterization, and developability considerations.
• Experience managing scientific teams, external partners, CROs, or matrixed development programs.
• Demonstrated ability to translate biological targets or mutation-specific insights into therapeutic development strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex scientific information to executive, technical, and cross-functional audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, priorities, and stakeholders in a fast-paced scientific environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, Outlook, and general working knowledge of Internet for business use.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in oncology, precision medicine, genomics-informed drug development, or mutation-specific therapeutic targeting.
• Experience with peptide conjugates, macrocyclic peptides, stapled peptides, cell-penetrating peptides, peptide-drug conjugates, or targeted delivery systems.
• Experience with IND-enabling studies, CMC planning, GLP toxicology preparation, or regulatory interactions for therapeutic candidates.
• Experience working in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or translational research environments.
• Familiarity with computational peptide design, structure-based drug design, AI-enabled discovery, or molecular modeling approaches.
• Experience contributing to patent filings, scientific publications, or external research collaborations.
• Prior experience building or leading a peptide therapeutics function or platform.

Physical Demands

• Must possess ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time.
• Must possess ability to perform work using a computer, keyboard, mouse, and telephone.
• May require occasional work in laboratory or research environments, including adherence to applicable safety procedures and use of required personal protective equipment.
• May require occasional lifting of laboratory materials, supplies, or equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders in person, by phone, and through virtual meeting platforms.

Training

• All job specific, safety, and compliance training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee.

Other

• This position may require periodic travel to scientific conferences, partner sites, vendor facilities, or other company locations.
• This position may require some evenings, weekends, and/or holidays based on business needs, project timelines, or urgent program requirements.
• Job may require after-hours response to time-sensitive scientific, operational, or program-related issues.

Conditions of Employment: Individual must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check( applicable for certain positions) and reference verification.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.