Head of Data Science

About Generate Biomedicines

Generate Biomedicines is a new kind of therapeutics company – existing at the intersection of machine learning, biological engineering, and medicine – pioneering Generative Biology™ to create breakthrough medicines where novel therapeutics are computationally generated, instead of being discovered. Generate has built a machine learning-powered biomedicines platform with the potential to generate new drugs across a wide range of biologic modalities. This platform represents a potentially fundamental shift in what is possible in the field of biotherapeutic development.

We pursue this audacious vision because we believe in the unique and revolutionary power of generative biology to radically transform the lives of billions, with an outsized opportunity for patients in need. We are seeking collaborative, relentless problem solvers that share our passion for impact to join us!

Generate was founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering and has received over $420 million in funding, providing the resources to rapidly scale the organization. The Company has offices in Cambridge, Somerville, and Andover with approximately 150 employees.

Position Summary

We are seeking a talented scientist and leader to build a Data Science team at Generate Biomedicines. At Generate we are bringing data science and machine learning to all aspects of the therapeutics development process to create new medicines that are more precise and targeted while also reducing the time and costs needed to produce new therapies. The Data Science team has a crucial role to play in this vision by developing and applying the computational tools to integrate, synthesize, analyze, and visualize data streams across the entire company. The team will create an integrated data strategy and platform to maximize the utility of data generated by both the wet lab and dry lab and to improve our efficiency, throughput, and agility. The Head of Data Science will serve as a key thought partner to the Chief Technology Officer, to whom the role reports, as well as the broader leadership team. This individual will also oversee recruitment for this group, and will be responsible for continued development of this high-functioning, cross-disciplinary team.

The group will take on a variety of challenges applying statistical and machine-learning techniques to a broad range of biological and protein-science problems. The ideal candidate will have an exceptional technical background in data science (including database administration and design), a track record of applied machine learning experience, strong leadership skills, and experience in developing strong data science teams. The Data Science group will work closely with Machine Learning, Protein Generation, and Informatics teams to provide data science, data modeling, and data tooling support to a variety of projects across the company, with applications including protein design, biological pathway modeling, assay data analysis and automation, target identification, CryoEM data processing, and process development.

Accountabilities:

• Lead a team in developing data tools to analyze, curate, and interrogate our data with statistical models, data processing frameworks, end-to-end dashboards, automated reports, and web apps.
• Develop systems to account for and track model outputs and metrics through all steps of data generation and analysis.
• Leverage data with statistical approaches and ML modeling to inform a wide variety of activities in the company including  protein generation, assay data analysis, high-throughput experimentation and automation, biological modeling, process development.
• Work closely with the Machine Learning group to aid in the development of new models and capabilities, and actively explore their applications across various needs at the company.
• Actively connect with stakeholders across the company to identify areas of data-science needs and opportunities to more fully leveraging the value of data.
• Recruit and manage a team of high-caliber data scientists.
• Proactively provide data-science guidance for assay design and high-throughput method development across preclinical programs.
• Present scientific results to program teams, external conferences, and executive leadership.

Leadership:

• Functional level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate, and drive results.
• Demonstrate the ability to work across functions, regions, and cultures. Embrace a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization.
• Act as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company.
• Invest time in helping others enhance their skills and perform at a higher level, including the skill and career development of direct reports.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related discipline, with 5+ years industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience applying data-science, statistical, and machine-learning techniques to a variety of applications in health sciences and biology.
• Experience managing data scientists and instilling strong software best practices.
• Experience working with modern deep learning frameworks.
• Exposure to structural biology and protein engineering.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

COVID Safety:

Generate Biomedicines enforces a mandatory vaccination policy for COVID-19. All employees must be fully vaccinated and have received a booster.  The purpose of this policy is to safeguard the health of our employees, their families, and the community at large from infectious disease that may be reduced by vaccinations.  The company will make exceptions to this policy if required by applicable law and will consider requests for an exemption from this policy due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, or any other exemptions that may be recognized by applicable law. 

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.