(Senior) Director of Translational Genomics

Job Description

We seek a passionate and innovative individual with experience in functional genomics and human genetics to help build and lead Variant Bio’s new Translational Genomics team. This team will be composed of both experimental & computational scientists and will be responsible for translating computationally derived genetic associations into actionable therapeutic targets. The ideal candidate will be expected to not only have experience with a broad range of functional genomics techniques, but also in the design and execution of preclinical assays with high human translatability. Since we are an actively growing start-up, we also seek creative thinkers, agile learners and candidates with an unwavering willingness to do what is necessary to help build the company and mature a human-genetics-backed therapeutic pipeline. Our current disease areas of interest include kidney disease, liver fibrosis, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Responsibilities

• Build a world-class translational genomics team and capability for the company.
• Design and optimize an approach to translate human genetic and molecular associations into actionable therapeutic hypotheses.
• Work closely with our computational genetics team to generate testable hypotheses and prioritize associations from their analyses of human studies. 
• Partner with our disease area teams to develop assays and model systems to identify or test hypotheses around genetic targets.
• Serve as a leader in R&D and work collaboratively across the organization to help deliver new targets for drug discovery programs.
• Recruit top talent into the company and serve as an internal mentor to junior scientists.
• Serve as an external champion of the company

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in a biological discipline with at least 5 years of relevant experience in either an industry or academic setting and an outstanding reputation in your field. 
• Deep understanding of both the computational and experimental approaches to translating human genetic and molecular associations into valuable drug targets; including but not limited to: functional genomics screening technologies, CRISPR and other gene editing approaches, RNAseq and other preclinical omics experiments and analyses, 2D and 3D imaging.
• Familiarity with the process by which therapeutics and/or diagnostics are discovered and developed.
• Familiarity with publicly available databases and user interfaces for the investigation of genetics, biology and human disease data.
• Experience leading and mentoring teams of scientists; an ability to recruit top talent.
• Strong people skills with an ability and willingness to work on a multidisciplinary R&D team.
• Independent, creative, detail-orientated, and a critical thinker. 
• Disease area, public health, genetics or human adaptation expertise is an advantage.   
• Compelled by the company’s mission of great science, a strong ethical stance, and benefit sharing.

Perks

• Opportunity to be part of a startup entering a rapid growth phase grounded in ethics.
• Competitive salary and equity packages as well as a 401(k) plan that includes an automatic 3% employer contribution.  
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental and vision with 100% of monthly employee premiums paid for by the company.
• Flexible paid time off to help employees obtain a healthy work-life balance.
• Company paid professional development opportunities to encourage career progression.
• Orca Card provided by the company for work related transportation.
• Centrally located Eastlake, Seattle location in a new Alexandria building with modern facilities, including a gym.