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Outer Biosciences is seeking a Head of Applied Biosciences to lead the applied science team conducting client-sponsored research and collaborative programs. This is a director-level, highly external-facing role focused on scientific leadership, team development, building trusted relationships with research partners, and ensuring successful project delivery from initial discussion through final delivery.
The role translates partner needs into scientifically rigorous programs, coordinates internal R&D resources, interprets integrated datasets, and communicates clear conclusions and scientific recommendations. This is not a bench-based position; it requires close collaboration with commercial, product development, and project management teams to ensure high-quality execution and meaningful scientific outcomes. The ideal candidate combines broad expertise in skin biology and translational research with strong commercial judgment, scientific program leadership, data interpretation, and presentation skills across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer or skin-care applications. Reports directly to the Chief Scientific Officer.
Key responsibilities include: leading and mentoring the applied science team while ensuring scientific rigor and successful delivery of client-sponsored studies; translating client objectives into proposals and protocols; serving as the senior scientific contact for clients, managing expectations and communicating progress and study limitations; managing concurrent programs including scope, timelines, budgets, staffing, and deliverables; reviewing integrated datasets and overseeing client reports with scientifically supported conclusions; collaborating with internal discovery, data science, operations, and commercial teams; building trusted client relationships and identifying follow-on opportunities; establishing consistent study planning and reporting practices; and representing Outer Bio at scientific conferences and industry events.
Outer Biosciences' mission is to improve human skin health by discovering and developing novel bioactives. Founded by a scientific team with deep experience in engineering advanced organ systems, the company's fully integrated technology platform combines complex, long-lasting, clinically relevant ex vivo skin models with multimodal data analysis and predictive machine learning. The company helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and cosmetic partners evaluate therapeutic approaches, drug-induced skin toxicity, and the efficacy and biological effects of products and ingredients.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum Education: PhD or equivalent advanced degree in skin biology, dermatology, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, bioengineering, or related discipline
- Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, consumer-health, CRO, or scientific services settings
- Strong expertise in skin biology and translational research, with demonstrated judgment in experimental design, troubleshooting, data interpretation, and assessment of model limitations
- Experience in one or more of the following highly desirable: skin immunology, skin disease biology, skin aging, or cutaneous pharmacology and toxicology
- Demonstrated success leading a contract research services portfolio and/or complex external scientific programs involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, budgets, and deliverables
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted client relationships and support new and expanded research opportunities through consultative scientific engagement, proposal development, excellent delivery, and identification of follow-on opportunities
- Exceptional scientific communication and presentation skills, including ability to explain complex datasets, limitations, and recommended next steps while maintaining client trust
- Demonstrated experience directly managing and mentoring scientists, with effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and ability to create accountability across concurrent programs
- Highly organized, proactive, pragmatic, and resilient
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize and successfully deliver multiple concurrent studies, balancing scientific rigor, client needs, timelines, budgets, and shared resources
