Join Our Team

WHO WE ARE

Patients are at the center of Vanqua’s mission. By combining the power of our exemplary science, talented employees, and strategic collaborations, we are strongly positioned to develop new medicines that will transform the lives of patients with PD, GD, and other neurological diseases.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Join Our Team

Are you eager to be part of a team working tirelessly to discover and develop drugs for patients to live longer, better lives?

We are looking for dedicated and talented professionals who exemplify our values of Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, and Collaboration.

Open Positions

If you are interested in an open position, please select the position below and upload your resume.

We look forward to hearing from you.

About the Position

We are seeking a highly motivated neuroscientist with a passion for the discovery of novel therapeutics to join the Vanqua team. This individual should have demonstrated expertise in lysosomal biology and its role in neurodegeneration and will be responsible for leading early drug discovery efforts to validate novel drug targets in this area. This individual should enjoy working with novel technologies and thrive in a small team environment. Beyond the requirements listed below, the ideal candidate will possess the entrepreneurial attitude key to succeeding in a dynamic early-stage biotech.

Responsibilities:

  • Independently initiate, design, and execute experiments in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the effects of modulating lysosomal function on cell health with the goal of improving our mechanistic understanding of the role of lysosomes in clearance of misfolded proteins
  • Perform exploratory experiments to identify new markers of lysosomal health and dysfunction that can be translated into human studies.
  • Develop new methods, in vitro assays, technologies, and standard operating procedures to influence the direction, progression, and rapid advancement of the project
  • Generate complete data sets to support key Go/No Go decisions on novel drug targets
  • Critically analyze, organize, and communicate results at internal and external meetings
  • Work effectively with internal and external collaborators to advance ongoing projects.
  • Stay up to date on relevant scientific literature
  • Contribute to building the external scientific reputation of the company through publications, posters, patents and/or attendance at external scientific meetings

Education, Skills and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in cell/molecular biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, or related field with a demonstrated emphasis and expertise in lysosomal biology.
  • 6+ years of industry experience, successfully taking small molecules from discovery through Investigational New Drug (IND) Applications preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease.
  • Experience with advanced cell culture techniques including culture and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells to neurons, microglia, or astrocytes to evaluate mechanisms of lysosomal dysfunction in neurodegeneration
  • Experience with the development of cell-based assays for evaluation of novel small molecules using a wide range of detection methodologies (absorbance, TR-FRET/BRET, Alpha, luminescence)
  • Demonstrated ability to learn, understand and master new experimental techniques
  • Strong organizational skills that enable multitasking and working within aggressive timelines
  • Strong scientific writing and verbal communication skills
  • Deep understanding of scientific literature in the field of neurodegeneration
  • Strong team player with the ability to build relationships across and outside the organization.
  • Candidates will be required to work on-site in Chicago, IL.

Job title and level will be commensurate with candidates’ education and experience.

Vanqua is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant successfully completing a background screen.

If interested in this position, please send cover letter and resume through LinkedIn to Nina Pinelli at pinellin@vanquabio.com. For security, resumes will not be accepted directly through email.

Apply Now on LinkedIn

About the Position

We are seeking a highly motivated translational scientist with a passion for the discovery of novel therapeutics to join the Vanqua team. This scientist will drive biomarker identification and development for neurodegeneration to enable the biomarker strategy at Vanqua. In particular, this individual will be focused on evaluation of biomarkers related to Parkinson disease biology using human samples and a variety of animal and cellular disease models. This individual should enjoy working with novel technologies and thrive in a small team environment.

Responsibilities:

  • Independently design and execute high-quality laboratory-based research to advance the translational strategy of the company.
  • Collaborate effectively across internal and external groups to advance ongoing projects.
  • Develop methods, technologies, and standard operating procedures to influence the progression and rapid advancement of the company biomarker programs.
  • Oversee external studies at CROs to support pre-clinical translational work.
  • Generate complete data sets to support key Go/No Go decisions on novel biomarkers and present finding to a broad company audience.
  • Stay up to date on relevant scientific literature.
  • Contribute to building the external scientific reputation of the company through publications, posters, patents and/or attendance at external scientific meetings.

 

Education, Skills and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in cell/molecular biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, or related field with 3+ years of industry experience.
  • Experience with the validation and optimization of research assays for use on clinical samples including sample quality and regulatory considerations.
  • Experience with the development or assays for evaluation of novel analytes in a variety of matrices using a wide range of detection methodologies including ELISA, MSD, activity assays, and mass spec-based methodology.
  • Preferred knowledge of neurodegenerative disease biomarker discovery and validation.
  • Expertise in handling large sample sets in including computational and statistical analysis.
  • Strong organizational skills that enable multitasking and working within aggressive timelines.
  • Strong scientific writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Preferred understanding of scientific literature in the field of neurodegeneration.
  • Strong team player with the ability to build relationships across and outside the organization.

Job title and level will be commensurate with candidates’ education and experience.

Vanqua is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant successfully completing a background screen.

If interested in this position, please send cover letter and resume via LinkedIn to pinellin@vanquabio.com. For security, resumes will not be accepted directly through email.

Apply Now on LinkedIn

About the Position

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with a passion for the discovery of novel therapeutics to join the Vanqua team. This individual should have experience in LC/MS analyses with proven ability to develop quantitative methods for evaluating lipid analytes from in vitro and in vivo models. This individual should enjoy working with novel technologies and thrive in a small team environment. Beyond the requirements listed below, the ideal candidate will possess the entrepreneurial attitude key to succeeding in a dynamic early-stage biotech.

Responsibilities:

  • Plan and conduct LC-MS / MS experiments and analyze and interpret results.
  • Develop, optimize, and validate LC-MS / MS based capabilities for quantification of cellular lipids and lipid metabolites.
  • Generate detailed SOPs for LC-MS / MS analyses
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting of HPLCs and mass spectrometry equipment
  • Provide technical and scientific support to other scientists in all stages of R&D work and advise on lipidomic / mass spectrometry related questions
  • Stay up to date on relevant scientific literature
  • Contribute to building the external scientific reputation of the company through publications, posters, patents and/or attendance at external scientific meetings

 

Education, Skills and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry or related field with 2+ year experience in quantitative mass spectrometry-based analyses.
  • Hands-on experience with quantitative lipid analysis
  • Experience in operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of SCIEX Triple Quad Mass Spectrometer or similar scale of equipment is required.
  • Proficiency in extraction methodologies from a variety of biological matrices.
  • Previous experience in tissue/cell culture is desirable.
  • Ability to work independently on routine experiments
  • Demonstrated ability to learn, understand and master new experimental techniques
  • Strong scientific writing and verbal communication skills
  • Strong team player with the ability to build relationships across and outside the organization

Vanqua is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant successfully completing a background screen.

 

If interested in this position, please send cover letter and resume via LinkedIn to pinellin@vanquabio.com. Please do not send resumes to Vanqua employees or to the company location. Vanqua is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Apply Now on LinkedIn

About the Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Clinical Trial Manager (Sr CTM) to lead the study team, vendors, clinical monitors, and clinical sites through the life cycle of a clinical trial. This individual will develop and implement US and global Clinical Operations strategy for Vanqua Bio’s programs and have broad involvement in work central to the company’s key strategic goals. As an early hire, they will be influential in contributing to the program’s strategic development plan and developing Vanqua Bio’s culture. Experience in either rare or neurodegenerative diseases is a plus. Beyond the requirements listed below, the ideal candidate will possess an entrepreneurial attitude key to succeeding in a dynamic early-stage biotech.

Responsibilities:

· Independently/proactively manage all aspects of one or more clinical studies within a program, including the study team and all external vendors.

· Accountable for clinical operations timelines and providing status updates to stakeholders.

· Develop and ensure execution of activities outlined in various study plans (e.g., sponsor oversight, monitoring, deviation, training, and study communication plans).

· Liaise with clinical site staff and investigators as appropriate to ensure optimal sponsor-site relationships.

· Co-monitor or monitor studies if needed for the program.

· Lead and support Study Execution Team meetings.

· Represent Clinical Operations at Project Team Meetings and proactively escalate potential issues/risks and recommend/implement solutions.

· Contribute to the selection of all CROs/vendors and serve as their point of contact, providing ongoing management to ensure execution of deliverables within the approved budget, study timeline, and study protocol.

· Manage study contracting, budget, forecasting, accruals, and payment process for all clinical trial vendors including investigational sites.

· Demonstrated ability to mitigate and escalate changes in scope appropriately.

· Participate in preparation of regulatory filings (e.g., IND, pre-IND, orphan applications) as needed.

· Draft and coordinate review of relevant documents including study protocols, informed consents, monitoring plans, investigator brochures, and clinical study reports.

· Ensure correct case report form (CRF) content is collected, prepare/implement CRF completion guidelines, and coordinate delivery of data listings and study reports.

· Be accountable for clinical trial enrollment (e.g., develop recruitment strategies) and risk mitigations.

· Create and manage standardized clinical trial tools, processes, and SOPs.

· Provide oversight and guidance to the internal Clinical Operations team.

 

Education, Skills and Experience:

· BS/BA required.

· 5+ years of Clinical Operations experience.

· Rare/neurodegenerative disease experience a plus.

· Ability to travel as required for the program.

· Proven track record as a study lead, responsible for leading the internal study team, CROs, consultants, and vendors.

· Clinical Operations experience across all phases of development from Phase 1-3 with emphasis on early phase development.

· Demonstrated knowledge of FDA, ICH, and GCP guidelines.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills at a project level.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

· Ability to deal with time demands, incomplete information, or unexpected events.

· Outstanding organizational skills and ability to prioritize that enables multitasking and working within aggressive timelines.

· Comfortable in a fast-paced small company environment and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities.

· Strong team player with the ability to build relationships across and outside the organization.

Job title and level will be commensurate with candidates’ education and experience.

Vanqua is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant successfully completing a background screen.

If interested in this position, please send cover letter and resume via LinkedIn to pinellin@vanquabio.com. For security, resumes will not be accepted directly through email.

Please do not send resumes to Vanqua employees or to the company location. Vanqua is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Apply Now on LinkedIn

Please beware of phishing emails posing as Vanqua Bio representatives falsely claiming to have information about jobs, interviews, offers, and related matters. You can contact Vanqua Bio at info@vanquabio.com with questions.

Recruiters: Vanqua Bio does not accept resumes from recruitment agencies for our positions. Please do not send resumes to Vanqua Bio employees or to the company location. Vanqua Bio is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

“As a boy, I saw the crippling effects of Parkinson’s disease on my uncle John. As the disease progressed, my tender, outgoing, and physically strong uncle regressed to a withdrawn, disconnected and physically disabled shadow of his former self. Equally tragic to the disease was the extreme burden of care placed upon my aunt Naomi. Every part of her life – emotional, physical, financial – suffered as the disease slowly, yet relentlessly, took her husband from her.

In the decades since John’s passing, the science of lysosomal biology and the innate immune system have progressed so that we can both understand and address the underlying pathology of Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Now is the time: I am privileged to lead the science of Vanqua Bio, establish scientific alliances, and come alongside of advocacy groups so that we can discover and develop novel therapies. Together, we will alleviate the suffering of patients, lessen the monumental burden of care, and increase longevity for all.”

– Kevin Hunt, CSO

What We Offer

We offer a comprehensive compensation package including competitive base salary, company ownership and benefits. Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, short-term and long-term disability and many other voluntary supplemental options.

Why We Love Chicago

Stunning architecture, beautiful lakefront, highly rated restaurants, rich cultural landscape, top tier universities and research institutions, and world class professional sports teams are just a few reasons Chicago is a wonderful city to call home. As the largest city in the Midwest, it has a touch of humbleness at its core. With ample public transportation options, many Chicagoans prefer not to have a car. Hundreds of daily non stop flights in and out of O’Hare International Airport connect Chicago with the rest of the country and the world. Chicago hosts countless sporting events and cultural activities throughout the year.  Our museums, Navy Pier and Millennium Park all provide beautiful views and entertainment.