Head of Biomarkers
ProQR Therapeutics
Leiden, Netherlands
Our Development department is currently looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Biomarkers (Full-time) to lead biomarker strategy and execution across our pipeline, with a focus on central nervous system (CNS) and liver diseases. This role is critical for driving the strategic use of biomarkers as tools to inform and enable translational science, clinical decision-making, and disease understanding.
Reporting directly to the CMO, the Head of Biomarkers will define a comprehensive biomarker vision that bridges mechanistic insight, patient biology, and clinical application. The ideal candidate will combine deep scientific expertise, a strategic mindset, and cross-functional leadership skills to integrate biomarker science into all stages of drug development.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership in Translational & Disease Biology
- Define and execute an integrated biomarker strategy rooted in the mechanism of action, target biology, and disease pathophysiology, especially in CNS and liver indications;
- Champion the use of biomarkers to enable translational hypotheses, patient selection, pharmacodynamic assessment, and early signals of efficacy;
- Act as a cross-disciplinary thought partner to Translational Medicine, Discovery, Clinical Development, and Regulatory teams to ensure biomarker plans are aligned with both therapeutic hypotheses and clinical objectives;
- Drive internal alignment around biomarker value propositions in the context of overall development strategy and portfolio decision-making.
Operational & Scientific Excellence
- Lead biomarker development from discovery through clinical application, ensuring scientific rigor, operational feasibility, and regulatory readiness;
- Oversee biomarker assay development, validation, and deployment across platforms (genomic, proteomic, imaging, digital, etc.);
- Manage external collaborations (CROs, academic labs, consortia) to access novel technologies and accelerate biomarker development;
- Ensure data integrity and integration across studies and modalities to support translational learnings and clinical interpretation.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Foster a culture of scientific curiosity, strategic thinking, and delivery excellence;
- Represent biomarker function in internal governance, program teams, and external meetings with partners and regulators;
- Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, and biomarker thought leadership initiatives.
We expect our Head of Biomarkers to have:
- PhD, MD, or equivalent in a relevant life sciences discipline (e.g., molecular biology, neuroscience, internal medicine, systems biology);
- Minimum 6 years of industry experience in biomarker development, translational medicine, or precision medicine, including strategic and operational roles;
- Demonstrated track record of integrating biomarkers into translational development and disease-informed strategies;
- Deep understanding of biomarker technologies across multiple platforms and their relevance in CNS and liver diseases;
- Experience with cross-functional teams across discovery, nonclinical, and clinical development phases;
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
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