Head of Cell Line Development
Alloy Therapeutics
Waltham, MA · $150k–$215k a year · Posted August 27, 2026
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About the job
Role Location: Waltham, MA
The Company We are Alloy Therapeutics — a biotechnology ecosystem and Product Development Organization (PDO) empowering the global scientific community to make better medicines together. Through a community of partners, we democratize access to pre-competitive tools, technologies, services, and company creation capabilities that are foundational for discovering and developing therapeutic biologics. The company facilitates affordable, non-exclusive access to the entire drug discovery community from academic scientists, small and medium biotech, to the largest biopharma. At Alloy, we believe our industry should compete on getting the best drugs to patients as quickly as possible, not exclusive access to the best platforms. As a reflection of our relentless commitment to the scientific community, we reinvest 100% of our revenue in innovation and access to innovation. May the Best Drug Win.
Alloy has evolved from a startup into a global product development organization operating 11 divisions across 5 research sites in 4 countries on 3 continents. Our model - Integrated Independence - combines centralized capabilities with entrepreneurial operating divisions. Successful members thrive in our shared culture of accountability, deliberate trust, and open communication. As a team we aspire to work together to exceed expectations and collectively contribute across the global organization to always maintain our nimble, startup culture.
At Alloy, we have an ethos of "Mentorship-By-Apprenticeship" in all of our positions. We strive to have workers in the office when needed to interact organically and face-to-face. Of course, as a lab-based operation, our cells and animals grow 7 days a week, 365 days per year. We respect and value our colleagues for their hard work that requires them to be in the lab every day. We ask our people who have more flexible accommodations to appreciate their colleagues who have less flexibility. We are all one team!
About the Role at Alloy Therapeutics As Head of Cell Line Development, you will lead technology evaluation, development, and strategy for stable cell line technologies. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping the scientific and technical direction of our cell line development capabilities, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation in stable transfection, clone selection, and cell line engineering.
This role will report directly to the CEO of the Antibody Powered Division in Waltham, MA, with autonomy owning various stakeholders, projects, and tasks in a dynamic start-up environment while keeping up the pace of Alloy.
How You’ll Drive Impact Drive : Scientific direction and execution of cell line technology development projects.
Innovate: Ensure the application of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in cell line engineering.
Collaborate : Integrate cell line development product offerings and engage with external collaborators in preparation of manufacturing of biologics.
Deliver : Efficient execution of partner projects balancing quality, timelines, and costs, while ensuring successful completion of cell line producution that meet our partners’ objectives.
Lead : Marshall, inspire, and mentor a cross-functional team of scientists. Lead by example by going the extra mile to ensure we are successful delivering on projects.
Communicate : Communicate effectively with key stakeholders externally and internally, fostering productive interactions both upward and downward, and across teams at different sites.
Key Responsibilities Lead technology evaluation and development strategy for stable cell line platforms, including host cell engineering, vector design, transfection methods, and clone screening/selection technologies
Identify, assess, and implement next-generation technologies for stable transfection and cell line generation to improve titer, stability, product quality, and speed to clinic
Set scientific strategy and roadmap for cell line development capabilities in alignment with broader organizational goals
Stay current on emerging trends in stable cell line technologies (e.g., targeted integration, site-specific recombination, novel selection systems, high-throughput single-cell cloning, and next-gen expression platforms) and evaluate their applicability
Represent the organization's cell line development capabilities in interactions with clients, partners, and at scientific conferences
Develop and oversee IP strategy related to proprietary cell line technologies
Ensure development activities meet relevant regulatory expectations (e.g., ICH Q5D) and support regulatory filings as needed
Manage budgets, timelines, and resource allocation for cell line development programs
Required Qualifications Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of hands-on experience in cell line development within a CDMO or pharmaceutical/biotech company setting
Demonstrated proven track record of successfully developing and advancing stable mammalian cell lines (e.g., CHO) for biologics production
Deep familiarity with current and emerging technologies for stable transfection and cell line generation (e.g., electroporation, lipofection, viral-mediated delivery, targeted integration systems, novel selection markers, high-throughput clone screening platforms)
Strong understanding of clone selection, cell banking, stability testing, and characterization requirements (including regulatory expectations such as ICH Q5D)
Experience leading teams and managing complex, multi-stakeholder technical programs
Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting to internal leadership, clients, and/or regulatory bodies
Preferred Qualifications Prior experience evaluating or implementing novel cell line development platforms (e.g., targeted integration systems, next-generation expression vectors, single-cell dispensing/imaging technologies)
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