(Senior) Director, Translational Medicine and Diagnostics

About this role

THE OPPORTUNITY

The unprecedented convergence of multi-modal data, advanced disease modeling, and computational power is revolutionizing drug discovery. insitro is harnessing this moment to redefine how medicines are developed for complex diseases. Our AI/ML-enabled platforms integrate and scale data to rapidly discover novel biological insights, identify new targets and drugs, and redefine complex diseases. To enable this vision, we are seeking a Director (or Senior Director) of Translational Medicine and Diagnostics.

This role is an opportunity to directly improve patients' lives by leading translational medicine across our three therapeutic areas — neurology/neurodegeneration, metabolism/cardiovascular, and ophthalmology — and by making clinical trials more efficient and beneficial for patients and drug developers through AI/ML and innovative translational strategies.

Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, you will lead the translational medicine function at insitro, supporting the development of multiple therapeutics — biologics, oligonucleotides, and small molecules — along with multimodal biomarkers and diagnostics. This position can be onsite (three days per week) or hybrid (~one week per month) in our South San Francisco office, with additional travel to relevant medical and translational science conferences and health authorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Translational Strategy & Leadership

- Build the Function: Build and lead insitro's translational medicine function, from IND/CTA through clinical proof-of-concept, across biologics, oligonucleotides, and small molecules

- Lead Key Assets: Serve as translational lead for advanced pre-clinical and initial clinical-stage assets

- Own End-to-End Strategy: Be accountable for translational medicine strategy, GCP adherence, and regulatory-authority interactions, including biospecimen CRO selection and oversight

Biomarker Science & Patient Stratification

- Design Stratification Strategies: Design innovative approaches to patient stratification using laboratory and digital biomarkers

- Generate Proof-of-Mechanism Evidence: Generate proof-of-mechanism evidence that drives objective, data-driven, and timely go/no-go decisions

Regulatory Strategy, Partnership & Influence

- Interpret Regulatory Requirements: Interpret regulatory translational medicine requirements and quantify the return on investment of translational strategies

- Partner Across Functions: Collaborate closely with preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and computational teams

- Shape the Field: Influence emerging AI/ML policy in translational science through original publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement

ABOUT YOU

Experience & Qualifications

- Advanced Degree: Advanced degree in life sciences, technology, chemistry, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience

- Proven Tenure: 10+ years of experience in translational science in biotech and/or pharma, including direct experience as a translational lead delivering therapeutics and diagnostic biomarkers from FIH through proof-of-concept to NDA/BLA submission

- AI/ML Exposure: Experience applying AI/ML approaches to drug discovery and development

- Technical Breadth: Deep understanding of diagnostic and device regulations, good clinical practice, clinical trial design and execution, clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, and the application of computation to drug development

Core Competencies

- Cross-Functional Collaborator: Track record of communicating and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders across clinical, translational, computational, and life sciences functions

- Motivating Leader: Strong interpersonal skills that inspire others to do their best work

- Patient-Driven: Genuine passion for bringing better medicines to patients in need

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS AT INSITRO

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $224,000 - $299,000. 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 as well as mental health and well-being support

- Open, flexible vacation policy

- Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)

- Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development

- New hire stipend for home office setup

- Monthly cell phone & internet stipend

- Access to free onsite baristas and daily lunch for employees who are either onsite or hybrid

- Access to a free commuter bus network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area

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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