(Senior) Director: Genomic Data Science & Computational Biology

Key Skills

AJAX, AWS, Deep Learning, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Java Programming, Python Programming, PyTorch, R Programming, SQL

Job Description

Key to insitro’s approach to rethinking drug development is the use of machine learning on high-content human data to build models of biological states, to understand the causal effect of perturbations on those states, and to identify genetic interventions that might affect a disease state.

As the Head of Genomic Data Science and Computational Biology, you and your team will develop and apply cutting edge machine learning and bioinformatic methods to integrate and analyze diverse data to build models of biological state and uncover new disease biology. A particular focus for your team are molecular measurements of biological states, including levels of gene expression (transcriptomics) and protein expression (proteomics), which we acquire from both human samples and from our high throughput wetlab. You will lead and grow a team of outstanding data and machine learning scientists with expertise in biological data, to accomplish the following tasks:

• Develop and deploy both classical data science and cutting edge ML methods to analyze data from diverse ‘omic modalities, including transcriptomic and proteomic data, addressing challenges such as distribution shift, experimental artifacts, data sparsity, and more 
• Collaborate with colleagues working on complementary data modalities (Imaging, Clinical ML, Software Engineering, etc) to produce a holistic, multimodal view on human disease state
• Develop and deploy cutting edge methods to deconvolute causal mechanisms of human disease biology from both internal and external (clinical) data
• Partner with our therapeutic programs to interpret the biological significance of our data and help identify intervenable nodes that modulate disease state 
• Work with lab colleagues to design experiments that generate datasets that are fit for purpose for machine learning, including ones generated explicitly for training ML models
• Partner with the corporate development team to acquire relevant external data sets
• Lead yearly and quarterly planning, set impactful goals, and align with with cross-functional stakeholders
• Engineer robust, reusable platform components in partnership with the software engineering team

You will be joining an agile and fast growing biotech startup that has long-term stability due to significant funding. You will have ample opportunities for significant impact. You will work closely with a very talented team, learn a broad range of skills, and help shape insitro’s culture, strategic direction, and outcomes. Join us, and help make a difference to patients!

About You

• Ph.D. in computational biology, genetics or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years practical experience using and developing cutting-edge methods for analyzing biological data sets, including extensive experience with genomic and/or proteomic data sets
• 5+ years working in industry, including experience with managing projects and deliverables, and at least 3 years in a management role
• Experience and demonstrated ability to build and lead teams of engineers and scientists, including recruiting and mentoring team members;
• Demonstrated ability to architect and build reusable code infrastructure and work with engineering teams;
• Strong fundamentals in applied multivariate statistics
• Expertise in machine learning (including deep learning), and familiarity with common deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, Jax, etc);
• Strong programming skills in Python, or strong programming skills in R and proficiency in Python
• Interest in uncovering novel disease biology
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds and job functions in a fast-paced startup environment
• Passion for making a difference in the world

Nice to Have

• Experience working with diverse functional genomic assays (RNA/DNase/ATAC/ChIP-seq, etc); exposure to CRISPR-based experiments a plus
• Some understanding of human physiology or disease biology
• Publication record in high profile venues in machine learning, computer vision, or life sciences;
• High profile venues in machine learning, computer vision, or life sciences
• Familiarity with cloud computing services (e.g., AWS or GCP)

Benefits at insitro

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage; insitro pays 100% of premiums for employees
• Excellent mental health and well-being support
• Open vacation policy
• Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast
• Access to free onsite fitness center
• Commuter benefits
• Paid parental leave
• Competitive pay and 401(k) matching
• Flexible work schedule (on site and remote)