Clinical Research Scientist / Medical Director

Clinical Scientist / Medical Director

Chesterford Research Park – Cambridge

Full Time Permanent

Hybrid and on-site working – Flexible on presence

On Site Parking

Full benefits package

Never losing sight of our purpose

Mestag Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting cancer and inflammatory disease. Our science is rooted in fibroblast immunology, leveraging cutting-edge biological and translational insights to uncover novel pathways that drive immune modulation in disease. 

Mestag is backed by committed leading global investors, has world-class founders and a highly experienced leadership team.

We are now building a clinically focused, scientifically rigorous team to advance our pipeline through early and late-stage development.

There has never been a better time to join us! #Mestag

Scope of role

We are seeking an experienced Clinical Scientist/Medical Director to provide clinical leadership for MST-0312, our lead oncology asset currently in Phase 1 development in solid tumours.

Reporting to our CMO, this individual will act as the clinical lead for the programme, providing day-to-day medical and scientific oversight of the ongoing study, contributing to development strategy, and representing Mestag externally with investigators, key opinion leaders, and regulatory authorities.

This is a hands-on clinical leadership rolesuited to someone who has previously taken full ownership of an oncology clinical programme, from protocol concept through to Clinical Study Report and who is comfortable operating in a small, fast-moving biotech environment. The role provides the opportunity to lead clinical strategy & execution for an active, clinical-stage oncology programme at a critical stage of development.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as clinical lead for the MST-0312 programme, providing scientific and medical direction for the ongoing Phase 1 solid tumour study. Represent the clinical science function on the project team and subteam(s).
• Partner with the CMO to shape overall clinical development strategy for MST-0312, including evaluation/monitoring of the development & commercial landscape in which the programme is operating.
• Partner with the leadership team & project leader on development of target product profiles for the molecule in the indications selected.
• Provide clinical oversight of sponsored trials, including protocol interpretation, safety review, and eligibility/data queries in conjunction with the CRO medical monitor and safety team.
• Lead or significantly contribute to the clinical sections of regulatory submissions, including INDs/CTAs, briefing documents, and responses to regulatory authority queries.
• Author or oversee authorship of pre-IND (or equivalent pre-submission) briefing materials for interactions with major regulatory authorities
• Lead protocol, investigator brochure, DSUR & CSR development, partner with clinical operations lead on informed consent documents and study plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with investigators, clinical sites, and key opinion leaders in relevant oncology indications to support trial execution, scientific credibility, and future development planning.
• Represent Mestag at scientific conferences, advisory boards, and investigator meetings.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with clinical operations, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and translational/biomarker teams.
• Support data interpretation, abstract/manuscript development, and presentation of clinical results.

Qualifications and Experience Required.

Must Have:

For the Medical Director: Hold a Medical Degree such as (MBBS, MBChB, MD or equivalent) with experience as outlined below

For the Clinical Scientist : A bachelor’s degree or higher with experience as outlined below

• Direct experience having taken a clinical study through its full lifecycle, from pre-protocol concept and design through to final Clinical Study Report (CSR).
• Substantial prior experience working in solid tumour oncology.
• An existing, active network of key opinion leaders (KOLs) in relevant oncology therapeutic areas.
• Experience authoring clinical sections of a pre-IND briefing book, or equivalent pre-submission briefing package, for interaction with a major regulatory authority (MHRA, FDA, EMA, or similar).
• Strong understanding of GCP, clinical trial regulations, and drug development processes in both early (Phase 1) and later-stage oncology settings.
• Experienced in oversight of real time clinical trial data, either from CRO or sponsor-side.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to internal leadership, external investigators, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to operate effectively in a small company environment, adaptable, balancing strategic input with hands-on execution.

Desirable

• Prior experience in a small or mid-sized biotech, particularly in a company building out its clinical function.
• Experience with immune-oncology clinical development.
• Experience with adaptive or biomarker-driven trial designs.

In return we can offer you

We work  with a strong team spirit and offer a highly competitive total rewards package including competitive salaries, pension contributions, private medical insurance, income protection and more. We have access to a range of onsite facilities including a gym, canteen, golf course and free on-site parking.

As a team we achieve great things each day, and we take the time to celebrate successes, share and learn. We value the relationships of our close-knit team and strive to make meaningful connections in our community. We frequently hold Town Halls and team lunches, and have an active social committee, organizing regular events and ‘giving back’ activities supporting charities close to our hearts.

Feel free to have an informal discussion with us for any questions you may have after submittal of your CV, we are happy to talk to you.

About Mestag Therapeutics

Mestag harnesses new insights into fibroblast immunology to develop impactful treatments for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. We are progressing a unique pipeline of novel antibodies designed to direct and drive the immune system using known and emerging fibroblast-immune biology. 

Our pipeline includes MST-0312, a FAP-targeted LTBR agonist bispecific antibody that leverages a new understanding of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in solid tumors and their role in driving improved patient outcomes; MST-0312 is currently in phase 1 clinical development (NCT07610941);the M402 program, an agonist antibody targeting a stromal inhibitory receptor to dampen down the activation of specific immune cell subsets in inflammatory disease; and earlier programs in discovery stage.

Separately, we are also identifying novel targets for future therapies utilizing our specialist fibroblast-immune RAFT Platform. In 2024, we entered into a license and research collaboration with MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA) to identify novel targets for inflammatory diseases, and licensed a novel target to Johnson & Johnson under a 2021 target discovery, option and license agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Our founders are global experts in inflammatory disease, cancer, computational biology and fibroblast biology from the University of Oxford, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Mestag was founded by SV Health Investors and is supported by leading life science investors Johnson & Johnson, through its corporate venture capital organization, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., Forbion, GV (Google Ventures) and Northpond Ventures.

For further information, please visit our websitewww.mestagtherapeutics.com.