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Head of Biology

Boston, MA

Company Overview 

1910 Genetics is a Series A stage biotechnology company that is pioneering a novel Input-Transform-Output (ITO™) platform as the first ever horizontal AI infrastructure for drug discovery. 

In a crowded space with hundreds of AI drug discovery companies, 1910’s ITO™ platform is differentiated by: 

  • Modality agnostic drug discovery: our platform is capable of designing both small molecule and large molecule therapeutics across all disease areas, with an initial focus on neuroscience, oncology, and autoimmune diseases.
  • Proprietary massive multimodal data, which overcomes the data scarcity problem that prevents frontier AI models from being utilized for drug discovery.
  • Multi-AI agent systems that include a robust collection of frontier AI/ML models, each of which works in a task-oriented manner to achieve the multi-parameter optimization problem of drug discovery and development.
  • A state-of-the-art (SOTA) fully-automated, high throughput wet laboratory in the premier Boston Seaport District for both data generation for AI model training as well as validation of the safety and efficacy of drug candidates that are outputted by our frontier AI models.
  • An unprecedented partnership with Microsoft, which positions 1910 as the only biotech/pharma company leveraging Azure Quantum Elements, a groundbreaking, AI-driven, high performance computing (HPC) cloud architecture for advanced AI.
  • Bespoke conversational AI chatbots that provide a customer friendly UI/UX to access our platform for specific drug discovery tasks.
  • Being the only biotech company helping pharma companies integrate 6 core areas of AI infrastructure.

“Biology is King” and the Head of Biology for 1910 Genetics will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of a team transforming drug discovery through utilizing proprietary, cutting-edge technologies in AI, computation, and biological automated systems.  S/he will lead and grow The Biology Team and own all aspects of Biology to enable 1910 Genetics' AI and computational drug discovery platforms to design better medicines (small molecules and biologics) faster than traditional approaches used by pharma companies.   

Role Description 

  • Lead & grow The Biology Team; unleash the individual talents to achieve the company’s mission and ensure that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts through the coaching and team development that will yield the best results 
  • As a key member of 1910’s Senior Leadership Team, own and represent all aspects of “Biology” in the overarching corporate strategy, including short and long range planning 
  • Serve as the key liaison between the Biology Team and other members of the Senior Leadership Team 
  • Own all aspects of “Biology” ranging from finding a platform-disease fit, target selection/ID, target competitive landscape analysis, target vetting, target validation, assay development, scale-up automation of assays, HTS, hit identification, hit to lead, lead optimization, etc.  
  • Manage an Automation Scientist to build out the bio-automation lab infrastructure 
  • Implement processes for how The Biology Team functions internally (e.g., daily syncs, weekly syncs, departmental events, etc.) and externally (e.g., how Biology interfaces with all other departments at the company, specifically key drug designers in AI Research, Computational Chemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry) 
  • Develop a framework for “platform-disease fit” -- essentially, 1910’s computational and AI platforms can, in theory, design small molecule and protein therapeutics for any target
  • Define which disease areas are best suited for 1910’s platforms and corporate goals 
  • Implement a robust target ID/selection/vetting/competitive landscape analysis process for the company 
  • Implement a robust, robotics- and automation-enabled assay development and HTS process 
  • Lead the selection and the purchase of lab equipment 
  • Coordinate with the Software Engineering (SWE) team to build the lab automation infrastructure  
  • Scale up biological assays for high throughput screening 
  • Collaborate with key drug designers in 1910 (AI Research Scientists, Computational Chemists, and Medicinal Chemists) to advance 1910’s programs from Target ID to Novel Hit Discovery to Hit to Lead, to Lead Optimization, and finally, to IND filing 

Qualifications

  • PhD + Postdoc in Biology (e.g., Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology) 
  • Experience on a Senior Leadership Team 
  • Experience leading, growing, and mentoring a high-performing team of scientists 
  • At least 8 years of experience in target ID, validation, assay development, HTS 
  • At least 3 years at a VC-backed biotech startup, owning all aspects of biology 
  • Experience working with medicinal chemists to drive hit ID, hit to lead, and lead optimization 
  • Experience managing CROs on major drug discovery initiatives 
  • Program management: previously responsible for managing the progression of a drug program from Hit ID to IND 
  • Experience driving candidates to IND; ideally joined the program at inception (i.e., hit discovery) 
  • Experience in neuroscience, immunology, infectious disease, and/or oncology 
  • Expertise in laboratory automation 
  • Experience interfacing with VCs and Board of Directors  
  • A combination experience in big pharma and biotech 
  • Talent magnet who thrives in hiring, retaining, mentoring, coaching, and professionally developing top 1% talent  
  • Excited about working onsite 5 days a week and leading a team that is onsite 5 days a week 

#LI-Onsite

Diversity and Inclusion (1910’s Promise) 

At 1910, we believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace furthers relevance, resilience, and longevity. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. 1910 is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We 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. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation during any part of the interview process, please let your recruiter know. While 1910 supports visa sponsorship, sponsorship opportunities may be limited to certain roles and skills. 

Benefits and Perks 

  • Competitive compensation package   
  • Above market benefits  
  • Generous vacation and parental leave  
  • Super cool team building activities  
  • Great colleagues 

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