VP, Bioassays, Cell Models, and Genomic Screening

About this role

THE OPPORTUNITY

At insitro, we're revolutionizing drug development. We fuse cutting-edge machine learning with large-scale biology and modality-independent drug discovery to tackle major bottlenecks in the pipeline. We've built a leading platform and a team of incredibly talented scientists driven to make a real difference.

We're looking for an experienced and dynamic leader to be our VP, Bioassays, Cell Models, and Genomic Screening. This is a pivotal role in shaping and executing insitro's CellML platform. You'll lead the charge in developing and integrating cell models that truly mimic human biology, crafting innovative bioassays, and overseeing our cell-based arrayed and pooled optical screening platforms to accelerate both target and drug discovery.

You'll be a central figure, collaborating closely with senior management and teams across therapeutic areas, functional genomics, drug discovery, automation, and machine learning. Your mission: ensure our models, assays, and screening efforts precisely meet the demands of our discovery pipeline and platform execution.

This is your chance to join a well-funded AI biotech that's already building a robust pipeline of therapeutic candidates. We're still laying the foundation, which means immense opportunities for you to make a significant impact. You'll work alongside brilliant minds in data science, machine learning, biology, automation, and drug development, applying your expertise to shape insitro's culture, strategic direction, and the success of our discovery platforms.

You'll report to the Chief Technical Operations Officer at our South San Francisco office, with at least three days a week onsite. Some travel for conferences, collaborations, and regulatory interactions may also be required.

Join us and help us make a profound difference for patients!

IN THIS LEADERSHIP ROLE, YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE TO:

- Drive insitro's discovery engine: Set the strategic vision for cell models, image based and genomic screens, as well as bioassay development and execution across all therapeutic areas, fueling our target and drug discovery ML engine

- Lead innovation: Provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership in the development, validation, and implementation of disease-relevant cell models, genomic screening (phenotypic pooled optical screening and arrayed screening), and supporting assay development for drug discovery

- Design impactful assays: Direct, establish, and design bioassays and phenotypic screens to deeply investigate target/pathway biology using human disease-relevant cell-based models

- Be the expert: Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for internal and external biochemical and bioassay strategy and data interpretation for high-throughput drug discovery (small molecules, large molecules, oligonucleotides). You'll also support CRO monitoring and outsourced activities

- Cultivate talent: Lead and mentor a team of 20+ scientists, empowering them to achieve and exceed company goals

ABOUT YOU

- A graduate degree in a technical field (biology, chemistry, biochemistry) or equivalent practical experience

- 12-15+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical/ biotech industry

- Proven experience leading assay development and screening teams, with a keen eye for developing high-throughput workflows, applying automation tools, and driving operational excellence concepts to enable efficient execution

- Extensive experience with a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art cellular, biochemical, and imaging-based assays

- Deep expertise in developing cell-based models and assays that measure disease related biology

- Experience navigating complex genetic, small molecule, large molecule, and oligonucleotide cellular assays

- Familiarity with using computational biology and/or machine learning concepts to generate profound biological insights

- A strong track record of successfully leading high-performing scientific teams

- Exceptional communication and influencing skills at all organizational levels, including executive leadership

- Robust analytical capabilities, including strong quantitative and qualitative assessment skills, and demonstrated critical thinking

- A true collaborator who excels at working effectively in cross-functional teams

- Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building abilities

- A genuine passion for making a difference in the world

NICE TO HAVES:

- Experience in preclinical bioassays and analytical development

- Experience with iPSC-based differentiated cell models

- Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE) for the development of cell models and screening parameters

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS AT INSITRO

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $290,000 - $326,000. 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

- Support to attend professional conferences that are meaningful to your career growth and role's responsibilities

- New hire stipend for home office setup

- Monthly cell phone & internet stipend

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