Scientific Director | tRNA Biotherapeutics

<h1>Scientific&nbsp;Director –&nbsp;tRNA Biotherapeutics</h1> <h2>Company Overview</h2> <p><strong>XtRNA Bio</strong>&nbsp;is a pioneering biotechnology company developing a&nbsp;proprietary tRNA therapeutic platform for underserved patients with rare genetic diseases and high unmet medical needs. XtRNA Bio is advancing a novel approach to correct translational defects at their root,&nbsp;from discovery through to the clinic — with a focus on meaningful, durable benefit for patients who currently have no options.</p> <p>XtRNA's proprietary engineering capability enables both elevation and suppression therapy, delivered via synthetic and vectorized formats — giving us access to a broad and expanding universe of treatable diseases.</p> <hr> <h2>Role Summary</h2> <p>We are seeking an experienced and visionary&nbsp;<strong>Scientific&nbsp;</strong><strong>Director</strong>&nbsp;to lead and shape XtRNA Bio’s scientific strategy and translational research programs.</p> <p>This role sits at the interface of&nbsp;<strong>discovery, preclinical development, and company strategy</strong>, working closely with the CEO and broader leadership team. You will drive the advancement of our tRNA platform from proof-of-concept toward IND-enabling studies and early clinical readiness.</p> <p>The position is primarily remote, with frequent travel to our scientific partners (Radboud University, The Netherlands; Hamburg University, Germany), and flexibility for strategic collaboration across the world.</p> <p><strong>Location:&nbsp;</strong>Remote (Preferred&nbsp;Europe)<strong><br>Commitment:&nbsp;</strong>80% (approximately)&nbsp;<strong><br>Compensation:&nbsp;</strong>Primarily&nbsp;equity-based,&nbsp;modest base salary until fundraising.</p> <hr> <h2>Key Responsibilities</h2> <h3>Scientific Leadership &amp; Strategy</h3> <ul> <li>Define and execute the&nbsp;<strong>scientific vision and R&amp;D roadmap</strong>&nbsp;aligned with company milestones (preclinical → IND → clinical entry)</li> <li>Lead the development of XtRNA Bio’s&nbsp;<strong>dual tRNA platform</strong>&nbsp;(elevation and suppression modalities)</li> <li>Translate cutting-edge RNA biology into&nbsp;<strong>therapeutic strategies with clinical relevance</strong></li> </ul> <h3>Program Leadership</h3> <ul> <li> <div>Oversee&nbsp;<strong>lead&nbsp;</strong><strong>preclinical&nbsp;</strong><strong>programs in&nbsp;</strong><strong>focus indications</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong><strong>(tRNA elevation in neuromuscular diseases</strong>, particularly CMT2D, and tRNA suppression in respiratory diseases, particularly CF)</div> </li> <li> <div>Guide optimization of&nbsp;<strong>AAV-tRNA constructs</strong>, including vector design, capsid selection, and delivery strategies</div> </li> <li> <div>Drive development of synthetic tRNA delivery systems to the respiratory tract</div> </li> <li>Supervise&nbsp;<strong>in vivo and in vitro studies</strong>, including rodent and NHP models, biomarker development, and functional endpoints</li> <li>Drive&nbsp;<strong>IND-enabling studies</strong>, including biodistribution, toxicology, and dose-finding</li> </ul> <h3>Platform Expansion</h3> <ul> <li> <div>Identify and characterize potential clinical applications of the XtRNA platform</div> </li> <li> <div>Further develop and optimize our delivery modalities</div> </li> <li> <div>Engage with relevant academic partners for PoC studies</div> </li> <li> <div>Develop and nurture a dedicated Scientific Advisory Board&nbsp;</div> </li> </ul> <h3>Cross-Functional Collaboration</h3> <ul> <li>Partner with teams in:</li> <ul> <li>CMC and vector manufacturing</li> <li>Regulatory and clinical strategy</li> <li>Intellectual property and business development</li> </ul> <li>Align scientific execution with&nbsp;<strong>fundraising, partnerships, and corporate milestones</strong></li> </ul> <h3>Leadership</h3> <ul> <li> <div>Establish a culture of&nbsp;<strong>scientific excellence, rigor, and innovation</strong></div> </li> <li> <div>Interface with external collaborators, KOLs, and Scientific Advisory Board members</div> </li> <li> <div>On the long-term,&nbsp;build, mentor, and inspire a&nbsp;<strong>high-performing multidisciplinary R&amp;D team</strong></div> </li> </ul> <h3>External Representation</h3> <ul> <li>Present scientific progress to&nbsp;<strong>investors, partners, and scientific conferences</strong></li> <li>Contribute to&nbsp;<strong>publications, patents, and company visibility</strong></li> </ul> <hr> <h2>Qualifications</h2> <h3>Education &amp; Experience</h3> <ul> <li>PhD (or equivalent) in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience, or related field</li> <li> <div>8–12+ years of experience in&nbsp;early-stage&nbsp;biotech/pharma, with&nbsp;<strong>progressive scientific leadership roles</strong></div> </li> <li>Strong expertise in:</li> <ul> <li>RNA biology and/or translation mechanisms</li> <li>Gene therapy, particularly AAV-based delivery</li> <li>Neuromuscular or rare genetic diseases</li> </ul> </ul> <h3>Technical Expertise</h3> <ul> <li>Proven experience with:</li> <ul> <li> <div>AAV vector design, delivery, and analytics</div> </li> <li> <div>LNP delivery modalities</div> </li> <li>Preclinical models (rodent; NHP experience is a plus)</li> <li>Molecular and cellular assays (RNA-seq, qPCR, histology, biomarkers)</li> </ul> <li>Track record advancing programs toward&nbsp;<strong>IND-enabling stages</strong></li> </ul> <h3>Leadership &amp; Impact</h3> <ul> <li>Demonstrated ability to:</li> <ul> <li>Translate early science into&nbsp;<strong>therapeutic development pipelines</strong></li> <li> <div>Lead cross-functional&nbsp;collaborations&nbsp;in a&nbsp;<strong>startup or high-growth environment</strong></div> </li> <li>Contribute to&nbsp;<strong>strategy, fundraising, and partnerships</strong></li> </ul> </ul> <h3>Additional Strengths</h3> <ul> <li>Entrepreneurial mindset with hands-on execution</li> <li>Strong communication and stakeholder management skills</li> <li>Experience in&nbsp;<strong>rare diseases or platform-based therapeutics</strong>&nbsp;is highly preferred</li> </ul> <hr> <h2>Why Join XtRNA Bio?</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Pioneer a new therapeutic modality</strong>: tRNA-based medicine</li> <li>Work on a&nbsp;<strong>platform with broad applicability</strong>, shifting from “one gene–one drug” to “one mechanism–many diseases.”</li> <li>Directly shape a company advancing toward&nbsp;<strong>first-in-human studies</strong></li> <li>Collaborate with leading scientists and experienced biotech entrepreneurs</li> <li>Play a central role in delivering&nbsp;<strong>transformative therapies for patients with unmet needs</strong></li> </ul> <hr> <h2>Role Evolution</h2> <p>This role is designed to grow into a&nbsp;<strong>Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)</strong>&nbsp;or equivalent executive leadership position as the company scales.<br><br></p>