Director, Immunology

About Hillstar Bio:

Hillstar Bio is revolutionizing autoimmune disease treatment through a precision-driven approach that selectively depletes pathogenic cells while preserving healthy ones. This method holds the promise of providing durable relief and improving patient outcomes compared to traditional immunosuppressive therapies. Additionally, the company's versatile approach leverages tailored discovery techniques for each therapeutic, free from the constraints of traditional drug development platforms. The new funding will propel Hillstar Bio’s lead program, which specifically targets TRBV9+ T cells, into clinical trials in 2026. Initially, the focus will be on treating axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and potentially other immune and inflammatory conditions associated with HLA-B27. The investment will also support the expansion of Hillstar Bio’s portfolio, which includes a variety of precision immunology therapies aimed at specific immune cell subsets across a range of autoimmune diseases.

Job Description:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Immunology to lead our immunology research team. This individual will play a critical role in guiding our scientific strategy, overseeing experimental design and execution, and advancing programs from target discovery through IND filing. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in immunology, particularly in T and B cell biology, and strong leadership and team management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mentor and manage a growing team of scientists and research associates; foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance culture.
• Oversee the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments to advance our therapeutic programs.
• Drive the advancement of drug candidates through preclinical development through IND filing
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external partners (e.g., CROs).
• Stay current with emerging scientific trends and breakthroughs in immunology and autoimmune disease to inform R&D strategy.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology (preferred), Cell Biology, or a related discipline.
• At least 8-10 years of relevant industry experience, including leadership of immunology programs.
• At least 5 years of people management experience with proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire scientific teams.
• Deep expertise in T and B cell biology and immune mechanisms underlying autoimmune diseases.
• Demonstrated experience in progressing drug discovery programs, including taking candidates through IND-enabling studies and regulatory filings.
• Experience with biologics, ideally antibody, drug development.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative biotech environment.

Benefits

Hillstar Bio offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes unlimited vacation and market-leading parental leave.

Additional Information

This is a full-time position located in our Boston, MA office. Hillstar is committed to creating a diverse work culture and we are seeking individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.