The Opportunity

The heart of insitro’s strategy is the combination and application of machine learning to disease biology at scale, and novel analyses from clinical and cellular datasets that address key shortcomings in the target discovery and drug development process. To accomplish that, we are putting together an incredible team of highly-talented motivated biologists with a passion for target discovery and therapeutic advancements. In this cross-functional project-team leadership role, you will help build the Metabolic Disease therapeutic area (TA) pipeline. Our efforts have focused on high-density multi-modal clinical and cellular datasets for MASLD/Liver fat and Obesity/Adiposity to generate a distinct pipeline of novel targets and/or insights for therapeutic intervention. Our successful ML-driven target discovery approaches have positioned the group to be sitting on many unique insights which require prosecution as therapeutic targets, towards delivering Drug Candidates and INDs. Reporting to the VP of Metabolic Disease, his role will primarily be a cross-functional drug discovery project leadership role, focused on rapid development candidate generation from a pool of targets in Metabolic Disease.

This position is onsite and requires you to be in our South San Francisco headquarters five days per week.

Your primary responsibilities will be:

• Provide cross-functional project team leadership to create a portfolio of therapeutic assets
• Contribute to insitro’s strategy in Metabolic Disease focusing on obesity and liver diseases (with future expansion into the cardio space)
• Conceptualize and design strategies for drug discovery using insitro’s platforms from hit to lead using industry standard preclinical pharmacology models and standard drug development models by applying insights exposed by insitro’s unique target discovery credentialization
• Provide regular updates to Executive team on project plans, vision and status
• Lead efforts to follow up on targets with the goal of producing viable therapeutic interventions
• Lead external collaborations with partners and other organizations and individuals in efforts related to hit-to-lead in the Metabolic Disease area

You will join a growing biotech startup that has long-term stability due to significant funding, but yet is very much in formation. A lot can change in this early and exciting phase, providing many opportunities for significant impact. You will work with a very accomplished 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 and find the next generation of therapeutics!

About You

• PhD in a biological science related field (Pharmacology, Genetics, Biochem etc.) with 8+ years of industry experience in drug discovery.
• A strong scientific track record in Metabolic Disease, obesity/adiposityand/or cardio and contribution to delivering multi-modality drug candidates and contribution to INDs.
• Experience leading and influencing a high-performing team of scientists
• Demonstrated track record of leading cross-functional project teams, building partnerships and collaborations with scientists of diverse disciplines
• Capable of communicating effectively and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds and job functions, including a track record of collaborating with life scientists
• Strong interpersonal skills that motivates others to excel and achieve their very best
• Ability to chart the course in a clear and direct manner

Nice to Have

• Experience with multi modalities for drug candidates
• Experience in navigating efficacy and safety studies in preclinical models
• Understanding of standard drug development process, defining in vivo pharmacology, assessing PKPD and deriving margins to provide clinical starting doses

Compensation & Benefits at insitro

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $180,000 - $200,000. To determine starting pay, we consider multiple job-related factors including a candidate’s skills, education and experience, market demand, business needs, and internal parity. We may also adjust this range in the future based on market data.

This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Performance Bonus Plan (based on company targets by role level and annual company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies.

In addition, insitro also provides our employees:

• 401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage (insitro pays 100% of premiums for employees on our base plans), as well as mental health and well-being support
• Open, flexible vacation policy
• Paid parental leave
• Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
• Support to occasionally attend professional conferences that are meaningful to your career growth and development
• New hire stipend for home office setup
• Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
• Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast
• Access to free onsite fitness center
• Commuter benefits

insitro is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams–grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences–and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.

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