Description

About Us

Lunar Therapeutics is on a mission to revolutionize cell therapy for metabolic diseases. As a stealth stage biotech startup, we are pioneering the development of cellular medicines through cutting-edge advancements in SC-islet manufacturing, organoid biology, and transplantation. Our team is composed of leaders in stem cell research, gene editing, and bioprocessing, working collaboratively to push the boundaries of therapeutic innovation. We foster a fast-paced, mission-driven culture that values scientific excellence, adaptability, and teamwork. 

The Vice President of Research & Development (R&D) will provide strategic and operational leadership for Lunar Therapeutics’ scientific programs, overseeing discovery, process sciences, preclinical development, and translational research. The VP will guide the advancement of iPSC-derived cell therapy programs for diabetes, with a particular emphasis on the differentiation of PSCs into functional beta cells and related lineages.

This position requires a leader with deep technical expertise in PSC-to-beta cell differentiation, and who can integrate cutting-edge science with translational strategy, driving programs from early-stage research through IND-enabling studies. The VP of R&D will manage multidisciplinary teams, foster a culture of innovation, and ensure that all activities align with corporate objectives and regulatory expectations

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Technical Leadership

• Along with executive leadership, define and execute the company’s R&D strategy to deliver curative diabetes cell therapies
• Lead the scientific direction of programs from discovery through preclinical and IND-enabling stages
• Oversee research in PSC differentiation, beta cell maturation, pancreatic lineage and other relevant cell type specification, allogeneic cell therapy strategy, and iPSC gene editing
• Guide integration of process sciences, analytical development, and translational research into cohesive development plans
• Identify emerging technologies and partnerships that can accelerate program advancement
• Represent the company in scientific, regulatory, and investor meetings

People Management

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Set clear performance goals and provide ongoing feedback to ensure individual and team success
• Recruit and retain top-tier talent in relevant scientific disciplines
• Develop training and succession plans to strengthen technical and leadership capabilities across the team.

Project Management

• Partner with other senior leaders to define project scopes, timelines, budgets, and deliverables in alignment with corporate priorities
• Implement best practices in project planning, tracking, and risk management
• Support integration between R&D, clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, and business functions
• Provide regular project status updates and recommendations to executive leadership during early stages, transitioning responsibilities as the organization grows

Site Head Responsibilities

• Oversee facility operations, laboratory management, and environmental health and safety (EHS) activities
  Coordinate with dedicated staff, contractors, and facility managers to ensure compliance and operational readiness
• Ensure site-level operational excellence and a safe working environment

External Collaboration and Partnerships

• Establish and manage productive relationships with CDMOs, CROs, academic collaborators, and/or industry partners
• Leverage external partnerships to expand process sciences capabilities and accelerate development timelines
• Serve as a scientific lead in partner and alliance management discussions

Requirements

Qualifications

• PhD in Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Bioengineering, or related discipline, or equivalent advanced degree with relevant industry experience
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in biotech or pharma R&D, with significant experience in diabetes cell therapy research
• Proven track record in developing, optimizing, and scaling PSC-to-beta cell differentiation processes
• Strong understanding of allogeneic cell therapy strategies, iPSC gene editing, pancreatic lineage specification, beta cell maturation, functional assessment, and preclinical animal models
• Demonstrated success leading programs from discovery through IND submission
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with CDMOs, academic groups, and industry partners
• Excellent communication, leadership, and strategic planning skills
   

Key Competencies

• Demonstrates strategic thinking with strong execution capabilities
• Leads and inspires high-performing team members to achieve ambitious goals
• Integrates discovery, process sciences, and translational research into unified development strategies
• Collaborates effectively across internal teams and external partnerships
• Builds and sustains a positive, collaborative, and high-performance team culture
• Adapts readily to uncertainty, ambiguity, and evolving priorities in a small company environment
• Demonstrates resilience, resourcefulness, and creativity in addressing complex technical and organizational challenges
• Consistently models a professional demeanor, demonstrating integrity, respect, and composure in all interactions