Director, Nonclinical Drug Discovery Modeling and Programming

Overview

ViiV Healthcare is a global specialty HIV company, the only one that is 100% focused on researching and delivering new medicines for people living with, and at risk of, HIV. ViiV is highly mission-driven in our unrelenting commitment to being a trusted partner for all people living with and affected by HIV. Our aim is to think, act, and connect differently through a focus on education and treatment for HIV. We go to extraordinary lengths to deliver the sorts of breakthroughs, both in treatments, care solutions and communities, that really count and take a holistic approach to HIV through developing and supporting sustainable community programs and improving access to care. We are fully committed to push through every challenge until HIV/AIDS is eradicated. ViiV has played a significant part in delivering breakthroughs that have turned HIV into a manageable health condition. We offer the largest portfolio of HIV medicines available anywhere, and we continue our work to cater for the widest possible range of needs in response to the HIV epidemic.

We are aware of how much is at stake for those affected by HIV and we show up 100% committed to the patients every day. Our work culture is fast-paced, diverse, inclusive, competitive, and caring. But ViiV isn’t just somewhere to work – it’s a place to belong, an invitation to bring your very best, and a team full of impact-driven team members who are hungry to make a difference.

While we have been improving lives of HIV patients for 30 years, this is an especially exciting time to be at ViiV, as we evaluate novel approaches to treatment and prevention that could further reduce the impact of HIV on individuals and communities.

The **Director, Nonclinical Drug Discovery Modeling and Programming** serves as the scientific and strategic lead for Model-Informed Drug Discovery (MIDD) within ViiV Discovery, driving the application of predictive modeling, simulation, and computational tools to inform portfolio decisions across HIV programs. This predominantly discovery-focused role partners closely with DMPK, Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, and Clinical Pharmacology to enable early dose predictions and guide the design and selection of high-quality clinical candidates as rapidly as possible. Leveraging expertise in PBPK, IVIVE, PK/PD, formulation and route-of-administration modeling, the role develops fit-for-purpose modeling approaches and scalable tools that accelerate decision-making from target validation through candidate selection and into early clinical development for multiple modalities (e.g. SM, Biologic, ADC, LNP, PROTACs). The Director is accountable for advancing ViiV's discovery modeling strategy and translating complex ADME, pharmacokinetic, pharmacological, and translational data into actionable insights that improve candidate quality, dose prediction, and development success.

This role will be based out of Branford, CT & is eligible for a domestic relocation package.

Responsibilities

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Develop and apply fit-for-purpose mechanistic and translational models (PBPK, IVIVE, PK/PD) to guide design teams toward the highest-quality clinical candidates.
• Build scalable computational tools, workflows, and prototypes that accelerate discovery decisions and candidate optimization.
• Apply modeling expertise across diverse modalities, formulations, and routes of administration, including long-acting therapies.
• Drive innovation through advanced modeling, AI/ML approaches, and emerging external scientific developments.
• Establish best practices, standards, and governance for modeling methodologies, tools, and computational workflows.
• Translate complex ADME, PK, PD, and translational data into actionable insights for project teams and senior leadership.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across Discovery DMPK, Discovery Pharmaceutics, Clinical Pharmacology, and Nonclinical Safety to enable rapid, data-driven decisions.
• Build organizational capability in modeling, simulation, programming, and prototyping through mentoring and scientific leadership.
• Represent ViiV externally through scientific publications, regulatory interactions, and thought leadership activities.

Why You?

Basic Qualification

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• MS Degree & 12 years or PhD & 8 plus years of experience (post-graduation) in drug discovery
• Advanced computational programming expertise in model scripting languages (e.g., R, Python, or equivalent) and modeling platforms (e.g., SimCYP, GastroPlus, WinNonLin, etc.) to develop modeling and analysis workflows
• Development of scalable, reproducible modeling frameworks, including version control, modular code structures, and automated workflows for simulation and data integration
• Experience in the application of empirical (e.g. NCA, compartmental modeling) and mechanistic modeling (e.g. PBPK, QSP) approaches to support discovery programs and rapid decisions
• Experience integrating diverse datasets (in vitro, in vivo, clinical, omics where applicable) into unified predictive modeling platforms
• Application of frequentist, Bayesian, and/or AI/ML approaches (e.g., surrogate modeling, parameter optimization, predictive analytics) to enhance model performance and decision-making
• Software/tool evaluation and implementation, including external vendor platforms and internally developed tools, with accountability for scientific rigor and fit-for-purpose use
• Ability to interpret and communicate modeling results to senior stakeholders, cross-functional teams, and through reports and literature articles

Preferred Qualification

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus

• PhD with 12 plus years of drug discovery experience
• Experience working across teams, including matrix and functional leadership, and partnering with internal and external experts
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including experience communicating scientific concepts to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience in infectious disease and/or immunology therapy areas