Wave Life Sciences is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking the broad potential of RNA medicines to transform human health. Our RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation and deep insights in human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. Our toolkit of RNA-targeting modalities including RNAi silencing and RNA editing provides us with unmatched capabilities for designing and sustainably delivering candidates that optimally address disease biology. Our diversified pipeline is focused on our obesity, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and PNPLA3 I148M liver disease programs and includes clinical programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, as well as several preclinical programs utilizing our versatile RNA medicines platform. Driven by the calling to “Reimagine Possible”, we are leading the charge toward a world in which human potential is no longer hindered by the burden of disease.

Description

The Preclinical Development Pathology Group is seeking an on-site accomplished Associate Director/Director-level Scientist to provide strategic pathology leadership across discovery and development programs. This role will generate decision-enabling pathology data, support nonclinical safety assessment and candidate advancement, and partner closely with internal teams and external providers to advance Wave’s pipeline.

Experience

DVM or equivalent degree with ACVP or ECVP board certification required
PhD in Pathology, Toxicology, Immunology, or related discipline preferred

Minimum of 3 years of experience working in pathology within a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or related research environment

Responsibilities

Provide strategic pathology leadership across pharmacology, investigative pathology, and preclinical safety studies to support target identification, candidate selection, biomarker development, and efficacy assessment
Perform primary pathology read and peer review regulatory and non-regulatory studies, ensuring scientific rigor, data integrity, high-quality reporting, and regulatory readiness
Shape study strategy, protocol design, data interpretation, and report content in partnership with toxicology, discovery, CRO, and technical teams
Serve as the accountable Project Pathologist for assigned targets, therapeutic areas, and development programs
Partner across functions to evaluate candidate risk, investigate mechanisms of pharmacology and toxicity, and guide risk mitigation strategies
Advance digital and translational pathology capabilities, including image analysis algorithms and biomarker-focused approaches
Contribute to scientific innovation and external visibility through cross-functional collaboration, external engagement, and publications

Key Skills

Senior-level expertise in toxicologic and/or investigative pathology, with experience generating data that informs portfolio, program, and governance decisions
Experience supporting drug discovery pharmacology, investigative toxicology, mechanism-of-action studies, and development-stage programs
Strong knowledge of GLP regulations, regulatory expectations, pathology peer review, documentation quality, and regulatory readiness
Expertise in oligonucleotide therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs, preferred
Experience in academic, CRO, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical settings, with demonstrated effectiveness in cross-functional drug development programs
Knowledge of advanced pathology methodologies and digital pathology/image analysis platforms, including IHC, multiplex IHC, ISH, immunofluorescence, H&E/IHC image analysis, multiplexed cell phenotyping, and HALO
Strong ability to communicate pathology strategy, study results, and actionable recommendations to scientific, project, and leadership audiences
Ability to lead and prioritize multiple concurrent programs while maintaining scientific quality, timeline discipline, and stakeholder alignment

Willingness to travel up to 4-5 times annually to CRO sites and partner organizations to support project execution, vendor oversight, and cross-functional alignment