Head of Machine Learning

The Company:

FL85 is a Flagship backed, privately held biotechnology company on a mission to transform the current approach to information molecule therapeutics to unlock their full therapeutic potential. In recent years, we have begun to experience the power of information molecules in treating historically undruggable diseases and in designing therapies with unprecedented turnaround times. FL85’s platform integrates nanoparticle development with world-class informatics technologies and a novel pipeline of experimentation and discovery to drive a new generation of highly effective, therapeutically relevant information molecule therapies. We are seeking collaborative, relentless problem solvers that share our passion for impact to join us!

FL85 was founded by Flagship Pioneering. Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category life sciences companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, the firm has applied a unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in over $30 billion in aggregate value. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 37 transformative companies, including: Moderna Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MRNA), Indigo Agriculture, Sana Biotechnology (NASDAQ: SANA), Generate Biomedicines, and Tessera Tx. 

Position Summary:

FL85 is seeking a Head of Machine Learning to drive the vision, strategy, and execution across machine learning and data generation efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Develop the vision at FL85 for the machine learning team to drive novel discoveries in information molecule delivery
• Own philosophy and technical strategy behind core machine learning platform technology and applications
• Define, innovate, and execute on a generative approach for delivery
• Collaborate with the experimental team to design data generation experiments and pipelines to support machine learning needs, creating a data-driven organization.
• Build and lead the machine learning team
• Define team mission, org structure, and interaction model to ensure successful execution of multiple projects in parallel
• Grow the existing team to support both mission-critical projects and future R&D innovation
• Embody FL85’s core mission to transform R&D in information molecule medicines as we know it, and live and set a culture at FL85 that is highly resilient, optimistic, innovative, solutions-oriented, transparent, and inclusive

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in machine learning, statistics, computer science, mathematical modeling, operations research, or related fields from a recognized higher-education establishment
• >10 years of experience of machine learning leadership in the life sciences industry or in academia
• Demonstrated mastery of a broad array machine learning and deep learning approaches across a variety of deep learning architectures, deep learning libraries, and cloud-computing development environments, with an emphasis on techniques for studying biodistribution, nucleic acid medicines, and macromolecule assembly
• Proven ability to innovate on generative machine learning models with novel architectures, deeply informed views on areas for potential creativity, and a high degree of flexibility in structuring models and workflows to adapt to experimental needs and data streams
• Demonstrated ability to effortlessly interface with, communicate with, and motivate diverse teams, including experimental platform builders. This includes knowledge of in vivo screening techniques and how they can integrate into a computational workflow, as well as an ability to clearly and persuasively direct effective data generation strategies among experimental teams to support model needs
• Demonstrated ability to quickly move between high level vision and goals and the technical details required to trouble shoot model development and scaling on cloud-computing environment. Experience with multi-GPU and multi-node training of industrial scale models a plus
• Demonstrated ability to successfully recruit, hire, and develop a team of machine learning scientists
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and grow a team of junior scientists with varying backgrounds and skillsets, with an emphasis on team member career growth and advancement as machine learning scientists
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, for both technical and more general audiences
• Proven problem-solving skills, collaborative nature and adaptability across disciplines, with unquestionable personal integrity and ability to attract, inspire, develop, and retain an exceptional team across all levels

Location: Cambridge, MA

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.