Job Description

ABOUT US 

Synthesize Bio is an early stage startup using generative AI to fundamentally change life sciences research and accelerate the pace of biomedical discovery. 

Genomic data are at the heart of most modern molecular studies and tools, from basic research to clinical decision support, but these data are hard to work with. Genomic data require expensive laboratories, sophisticated computational infrastructure, and big teams to produce and analyze. Generating and analyzing genomic data takes weeks or months. We're building generative AI models to cut that time down to minutes or hours.

Our platform addresses a huge need in the large and rapidly growing use of genomics in research, from basic science to therapeutic development. mRNA therapeutics alone - a subset of the overall market we serve - is projected to be a $100 billion market by 2026. This is an opportunity to be part of a mission to transform life sciences R&D by dramatically accelerating the pace of discovery.

WHO WE ARE

Our team has dedicated their careers to moving the needle in biomedical research and education and has a deep understanding of how to build a transformative product in this space. Our founders each have ~20 years of experience in life sciences, genomic data generation and analysis, and AI/ML and data science. Our team has leading experts in the design, execution, collection, and application of AI/ML methods to large biological studies; has previously led and scaled startups; and are experts in scientific training and enablement. We have lived the problem and are ready to solve it!

WHAT YOU'LL DO IN THIS ROLE

We are looking for a senior computational biologist to join our mission and be an early part of building our AI-powered platform at the intersection of machine learning and life sciences discovery. This role sits on the data team. We drive the company's internal research, external partnerships, and training data creation.

You will help to set and build out our data and bioinformatics strategy and long-term technical vision. Specifically:

• Collaborate with our AI team to design and evaluate generative AI models
• Develop internal research leveraging our AI models that showcase their capabilities
• Develop benchmarking strategies and methods to compare externally developed models to our internal models
• Work with external collaborators to help them maximize the impact of our platform

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

The best candidates do not always match the limited criteria mentioned in the job description. If you are excited about our vision and feel that you could be a valuable asset to our team, please apply.

This role requires experience analyzing genomics data; the exact types of data and analyses can vary, but a desire and ability to learn quickly is essential. An interest in applying your skills to our mission is the key ingredient. 

Tech skills

• Fluency with data manipulation and processing in R and/or Python (e.g., dplyr and pandas) and collaborating with git/GitHub
• Experienced quantifying gene expression from bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data, including QC, expression estimation, normalization, etc. including use of standard tools, languages, and packages (e.g., Seurat, Scanpy, kallisto, etc.)
• Knowledge of high-throughput sequencing, IIlumina sequencing protocols, library generation, etc.
• Excitement about generative AI and interest in employing AI to change how science happens
• Desired: experience managing and working with large datasets in the cloud (AWS, GCP)

Experience

• Demonstrated experience generating insights through genomics data analysis and communicating those results with broad audiences
• Experience and perspective that empathizes with and represents the voices of life sciences customers
• No minimum number of years or degree requirements, provided demonstrated experiences and skills to perform the role
• Ideally, you have been part of a team or project at a commercial biotech company and have ideas about how to accelerate drug development with data and AI models

Approach

• Open-minded and adaptable; willing to change focus and direction quickly in response to product/market demands
• Comfortable working both independently and in close collaboration with your own team as well as other teams with complementary expertise
• Strong communication and desire to be a key player

WHY YOU'LL LOVE WORKING WITH US

Our founders have strong reputations as thoughtful, forward-thinking colleagues and mentors who cultivate talent. We'll think intentionally and collaboratively about your career and how we build our team. Our founders' experiences in workforce development and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our approach. 

• Impact — Our platform will accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and therapy development to advance human health. This is an opportunity to build something from the ground up in a space that has a real, positive impact. 
• Early employee impact — As a member of the very early team, you will play a pivotal role in helping shape our product, team, and culture. For the rest of our days, no matter how many thousands of people join after you, you will always have that honor and distinction. It looks great on a resume, too.
• Early stage equity — A benefit of joining early. None of us (neither our founders nor our investors) would be here if we didn't think that our company will create tremendous value over time. 
• Flexible location and hours – We are whole people with whole lives and expect that you are, too. We'll trust each other to make progress as a team, in times and places that work for everyone. Preference for Seattle area. Travel to Seattle will be required from time to time – it's a beautiful city!
• Visa support - We cannot provide visa support at this time.

TIMELINE

All applications received by December 31st, 2024 will be reviewed. Interviews will start in early January 2025 for start dates between then and no later than late-February.

SALARY

• Computational Biologist $110-145K
• Senior Computational Biologist $140-170K
• Principal Computational Biologist $165-185K

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