Head of Platform Biology

Key Responsibilities

• Work with stakeholders across the organization to define and execute a strategy that grows the AI platform to unlock new genetic medicines.
• Develop a biology-focused screening platform to support multiple AI platform goals.
• Lead screening campaigns from target selection through hit finding and validation in preclinical animal models, leveraging the AI platform as appropriate. 
• Deliver proof of concept data for optimized molecules that demonstrate value of our AI-platform.
• Evaluate, triage, and cross-validate targets discovered using Deep Genomics platform by orthogonal approaches including functional genomics, mechanistic biology, biochemistry, and disease models.
• Contribute to key corporate initiatives to advance findings from the AI platform into clinical development through strategic partnering and business development activities.
• Build an environment & culture focused on generating high-quality proprietary data.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on cell biology & therapeutics development in setting strategy on initiatives to validate and expand the platform in close collaboration with the machine learning, Target ID, and Genomics teams.   
• Demonstrate strong leadership, accountability, interpersonal and mentorship skills.
• Present in internal and external venues, and publish in peer-reviewed journals as appropriate.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in the biological sciences with 15+ years of experience in relevant roles (or equivalent) working in early-stage drug development focused on target validation and nucleic acid therapies.
• 8+ years building, managing, and leading teams successfully to meet goals of the organization, partners, and patients.
• Breadth of therapeutic area expertise, and exposure to multiple therapeutic modalities -  ideally including gene editing and RNA-targeted therapies.
• Well versed in target discovery via human genetics, with a focus on experimental validation of novel target hypotheses. 
• Proven ability to work independently and cross-functionally with highly skilled teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and technical environment.
• Strong managerial qualities, including a strategic and scientifically oriented mindset, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, emotional intelligence, credibility, integrity, creativity, and a willingness to have ideas challenged by team members and to challenge them.
• Ability to organize and communicate complex data sets in a clear and concise manner to key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Prior experience working with or leading collaborations with external biotechnology, academic, and contract research organizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The current areas of focus are genetically defined targets in the liver and CNS, so familiarity with corresponding cell models, animal models, and delivery systems would be beneficial.
• Hands-on experience developing and running industrialized NGS-based workflows is preferred.
• Strong computational background or demonstrated ability to interface with computational biology teams to develop scalable analytical tools.
• Experience with multi-site project management and team leadership.

What we offer:

• A highly competitive salary, a meaningful equity ownership stake in Deep Genomics, and exceptional opportunities for learning and growth.
• Company paid benefits.
• You’ll also be joining a bright, collegial, highly-motivated group working at the intersection of two of the most exciting areas of science and technology: AI and biotechnology.