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Sr. Director, Bioanalytical and Biomarker Development

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.

Brisbane, CA, USA

USD 258,300-319,100 / year + Equity

Posted on Oct 3, 2025

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Why Join Us?

Be a hero for our rare disease patients

At Ultragenyx, we fundamentally believe that taking real impactful action to care for the needs of patients and our people is always the right thing to do. To achieve this goal, our vision is to lead the future of rare disease medicine. For us, this means going where other biopharma companies won’t go – challenging the status quo and creating a new model that advances our field so more patients and caregivers can benefit from life-changing treatments. We do this by following the science, applying a novel rapid development approach, making innovative medicines at fair and reasonable prices, and creating a collaborative ecosystem to reach patients in ways that are most meaningful for them.

Our commitment and care for patients extends to our people, so culture is an essential cornerstone for Ultragenyx. We remain continuously focused on creating a supportive and inclusive environment of profound learning and growth – so employees can thrive in all areas of their lives, in and outside of work. Ultimately, we want to be an organization where we would be proud for our family, friends and children to work.

If you want to have a meaningful impact, do the best work of your career, and grow a lot, both professionally and personally, come join our team.

Position Summary:

The Bioanalytical Development & Biomarker Strategy subject matter expert plays a critical, individual contributor role in shaping and executing bioanalytical and biomarker strategies across therapeutic programs. This role combines deep scientific expertise, strategic insight, and cross-functional leadership to ensure high-quality data generation and regulatory compliance in support of drug development.

ultradedicated – Your biggest challenges yield rare possibilities

Work Model:

Flex: This role will typically require onsite work 2-3 days each week, or more depending on business needs. In many locations, the business will set certain days each week that Flex employees are required to be onsite.

Responsibilities:

Specialized Scientific Expertise: Apply deep understanding of disease biology and therapeutic mechanisms of action to guide bioanalytical strategy. Lead assay development, qualification, validation, and execution for measuring drugs (across modalities), metabolites, biomarkers, and other analytes in biological matrices
Strategic input Into Analytical Methods: Select appropriate bioanalytical approaches tailored to therapeutic modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, gene therapies). Collaborate with laboratory teams to develop and validate PK, PD, immunogenicity, and biomarker assays. Ensure analytical methods meet regulatory standards and are fit-for-purpose and validation-ready. Serve as a subject matter expert in resolving complex analytical challenges and integrating cutting-edge technologies
Significant knowledge on the Regulatory processes: Ensure bioanalytical studies comply with GLP/GCP/GMP and other relevant regulatory standards. Review non-clinical and clinical protocols for sample strategy and biological relevance. Author and review bioanalytical reports, protocols, and regulatory submission content. Partner with compliance teams to identify and qualify CROs for regulated studies
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with translational science, clinical development, data management, biostatistics, clinical operations, and regulatory affairs to integrate bioanalytical strategies into program plans. Facilitate method development and transfer to internal or external labs for regulatory support. Communicate complex scientific concepts effectively to non-expert stakeholders
Data management and Interpretation: Deliver high-quality bioanalytical data within tight timelines while maintaining scientific integrity. Oversee integration of complex datasets from diverse analytical platforms. Translate bioanalytical and biomarker data into actionable insights for drug development. Build strong partnerships with pharmacokineticists, pharmacometricians, and clinical pharmacology scientists
External Landscape: Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving regulatory guidance in bioanalysis and biomarkers. Engage with external consortia, working groups, and regulatory bodies to influence industry standards and best practices

Requirements:

PhD or equivalent advanced degree in biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, or related field
Prefer at least 15+ years of relevant industry experience in translational science, and drug development
Strong knowledge and experience with supporting regulated studies

Skills and Expertise:

Extensive experience in bioanalytical sciences within a regulated drug development environment. Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and strategic application of bioanalytical methods
Design and implement biomarker strategies across discovery, translational, and clinical stages. Align biomarker plans with program objectives, regulatory expectations, and intended use. Define context-of-use for biomarkers (diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, pharmacodynamic) at the different stages of drug development
Excellent verbal and written communication skills across all levels both within an organization and with external collaborators/companies with the ability to recognize, articulate, and accept calculated risks to make informed decisions
Experience with multi-modality (biologics, small molecules and oligonucleotides) therapeutics desired. Working knowledge of all functional areas of drug development, including biology, toxicology, clinical development and diagnostic development. Proven leadership in cross-functional teams and external collaborations
Demonstrated experience in the appropriate application of various scientific technologies into translational research strategies and working knowledge of all functional areas of drug development, including, biology, toxicology, clinical development, diagnostic development, etc.
Demonstrated ability of working effectively to influence stakeholders in a highly dynamic matrix organization and the ability to grow new leaders and delegate key projects appropriately

Lab:

Work in a lab environment requiring special protective clothing over the head, face, hands, feet, and body. This role requires the ability to wear personal protective equipment

#LI-CT1 #LI-Hybrid

The typical annual salary range for this full-time position is listed below. This range reflects the characteristics of the job, such as required skills and qualifications and is based on the office location noted in this job posting. The range may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.

This position is eligible for annual bonus and equity incentives. Actual individual pay is determined by demonstrated experience and internal equity alignment.

Pay Range

$258,300—$319,100 USD

Full Time employees across the globe enjoy a range of benefits, including, but not limited to:

· Generous vacation time and public holidays observed by the company

· Volunteer days

· Long term incentive and Employee stock purchase plans or equivalent offerings

· Employee wellbeing benefits

· Fitness reimbursement

· Tuition sponsoring

· Professional development plans

* Benefits vary by region and country

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital and veteran status, and any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all protected statuses or classifications protected by applicable law, including individuals with disabilities, disabled veterans, for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, and based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants can request an accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, you may contact Talent Acquisition by emailing us at talentacquisition@ultragenyx.com.

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It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Note to External Recruiters: All candidate activity and open positions are managed strictly through our Human Resources Department. Our Human Resources Department kindly requests that recruiters not contact employees/hiring managers directly in an attempt to solicit business and present candidates. Please note that failure to comply with this request will be a factor in determining a professional relationship with our organization. Submission of unsolicited resumes prior to an agreement set in place between the Human Resources Department and the recruiting agency will not create any implied obligation. Inquiries on developing a recruiting relationship with us, may be directed to: talentacquisition@ultragenyx.com.