About Karius
Karius is a venture-backed life science startup that is transforming the way pathogens and other microbes are observed throughout the body. By unlocking the information present in microbial cell-free DNA, we're helping doctors quickly solve their most challenging cases, providing industry partners with access to the microbial landscape to accelerate biomarker discovery and clinical trials, discover novel microbes, to ultimately reduce patient suffering worldwide.
Position Summary
You are highly curious and creative and desire to continuously grow and improve in your goal to make an impact on patients. We are seeking an exceptional Director of Computational Biology to lead our seasoned team of computational biologists and data scientists. The role is pivotal for steering some of our most ambitious innovations, which are grounded on cutting-edge statistical learning algorithms and probabilistic modeling. You are as energized as our team is when it comes to scientific innovation that carries the potential for having a foundational impact on patients, matched with significant academic and professional achievements. You can thrive in multidisciplinary settings, and in this challenging yet rewarding position. The role reports directly to the Chief Technology Officer, influencing the strategic technological direction of Karius.
Why Should You Join Us?
Karius aims to conquer infectious diseases through innovations around genomic sequencing and machine learning. The company’s platform is already delivering unprecedented insights into the microbial landscape, providing clinicians with a comprehensive test capable of identifying more than a thousand pathogens directly from blood, and helping industry accelerate the development of therapeutic solutions. The Karius test we provide today is one of the most advanced solutions available to physicians who aim to deliver better care to many otherwise ineffectively treated patients. Our test is the result of some incredible work done by our scientists, statisticians, engineers, and physicians, all driven by the same mission. You, as part of the Karius team, will be able to see how directly your work has a life-changing impact on people, and at scale.
Reports to: Chief Technology Officer
Location: Redwood City, CA (Hybrid) or Remote
Primary Responsibilities
In a nutshell, develop and lead an innovative team whose mission is to deliver one of the world’s most advanced analytical platforms for analyzing raw microbial data, bridging scientific breakthroughs and significant unmet medical needs.
• Leadership & Strategy - Spearhead the computational biology and data science team towards achieving critical innovation aligned with Karius' strategic goals. Foster a culture of collaboration, excellence, continuous learning, and constructive feedback among the team members. Ensure all projects have clear, well-motivated, measurable goals aligned with leadership’s long-term objectives.
• Research & Development - Lead substantial method development projects, contributing to the development of advanced mathematical constructs, particularly in probabilistic modeling. Work closely with medical experts and integrate domain knowledge to drive the development and improvement of analytical methodologies, with an eye towards improving care for people suffering from infectious diseases. Engage in rigorous data-driven planning, risk and benefits assessment, and goal-setting to ensure the successful execution of analytics projects.
• Innovation & Execution. Drive the development and publication of methodological innovations that contribute to our core product and support extending the application of the core technology and its application beyond infectious disease diagnostics. Demonstrate unparalleled ability in analyzing and interpreting microbial cell-free DNA signals, delivering accurate, reliable, and actionable analytical results.
• Communication & Collaboration - Develop partnerships across teams and departments at Karius, as well as outside of Karius, and across both industry and academia. Engage actively with multiple departments, playing a catalytic role at the intersection of computational biology, machine learning, and domain-specific challenges. Present findings, share knowledge and communicate complex ideas effectively to various stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding across the board. Maintain a track record of publications, talks, and posters, showcasing Karius' groundbreaking work in reputable scientific forums, promoting and developing team members to demonstrate leadership in the ongoing communication of our results. Deeply engage in mentorship, fostering the growth of individual team members and nurturing a collaborative environment.
What’s Fun About the Job?
Karius is operating at the edge of what is now known to be possible in infectious disease diagnostics. With that, comes a wave of new and incredible challenges and opportunities. To deliver on that value, you will be tapping into some of the most advanced technologies, architecting and innovating where the current solutions simply don't suffice. You will get to see how much your work really matters.
Travel: Very minimal travel might be required (e.g., conferences)
Physical Requirements
Subject to extended periods of sitting and/or standing, vision to monitor, and moderate noise levels. Work is performed in an office environment.
Position Requirements
• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Statistics, Genetics, or a related field, with a solid track record of publications in reputable venues that demonstrate significant method development capabilities.
• 7+ years of industry experience leading the development of cutting-edge computational and analytical methods aimed at deriving critical or novel insights from advanced molecular data, including but not limited to next-generation sequencing data. Significant innovation surrounding the derivation of biological insights and complex mechanisms of the microbiome in particular would be advantageous.
• 3+ years of experience in leading a senior team of scientists and computational biologists with a strong academic background, as well as complex multi-disciplinary core teams
• Proficient in probabilistic modeling, machine learning algorithms, and other mathematical tools.
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex ideas clearly and effectively to leading scientific communities and, within the industry setting, leadership teams.
• Post-doc experience in statistics, computational biology, genetics, or biological field with a strong computational aspect, while not required, would be considered as a significant advantage.
Personal Qualifications
The person we are seeking is humble, curious, and has experience both as a mentor and mentee. At Karius, we value innovation, collaboration, and are driven by the impact of our work on real-world problems. If you share our vision and have a relentless curiosity to solve complex scientific challenges, we encourage you to apply.
• Passionate, purpose-driven, and excited about Karius’ mission.
• Excellence at communication and collaboration within a cross-functional team.
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Self-starting mentality and ability to drive results.
• Comfortable working in an environment that combines both research aspects as well as development.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced (startup) environment.
Disclaimer
The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Responsibilities and duties may change or be adjusted to meet the needs of the company, and additional duties may be assigned as necessary. The job description is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Karius.
At Karius, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees, and are committed to honor and invest in the full diversity of people, in our hiring, recruiting, and development of employees across the Company. All qualified applicants for employment are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, and gender expression (including transgender individuals who are transitioning, have transitioned, or are perceived to be transitioning to the gender with which they identify), religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] and we will accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. 