Back to jobs

Director, Artificial Womb Technology Research

Dallas, TX

The science of exogenous development is at an inflection point, and Colossal intends to be the organization that moves it from theoretical possibility to biological reality. This role exists for the scientist who has thought deeply about what becomes possible if the resource and freedom constraints were removed — because at Colossal, they are. Colossal is offering the right scientist not just resources and autonomy, but the conditions to achieve world firsts in exogenous development that no academic institution, government lab, or competitor can currently replicate. The work you do here will define the field. 

Reporting to the Chief Biology Officer, the Director of AWT Research will spearhead groundbreaking research on techniques of embryo manipulation in model and non-model organisms. The new Director, AWT will lead an interdisciplinary team of talented reproductive biologists and engineers to develop, implement, and maintain strategic plans for the Artificial Womb Technology Team. The successful candidate will be a skilled scientist and leader across Colossal Biosciences’ multi-disciplinary team. This individual will be a key driver and partner in achieving the short-term milestones in the Company’s first live births leading to the scale and expansion of species-specific programs that meet the overall vision of Colossal. 

This position is based on-site in Dallas, TX and relocation assistance is available. 

Why this role is different

  • Access resources and engineering capability unavailable in traditional academic environments.
  • Lead an integrated team spanning developmental biology, reproductive biology, biomaterials and engineering.
  • Translate discoveries rapidly into scalable technologies with real conservation impact.
  • Shape the scientific direction of one of the world's most ambitious biotechnology programs.

Core Accountabilities

  • Deliver the first successful live births using Colossal's Artificial Womb Technology platform.
  • Build a world-leading multidisciplinary research program integrating developmental biology, reproductive biology, biomaterials and engineering.
  • Translate scientific discoveries into scalable technologies supporting Colossal's conservation and de-extinction programs.
  • Recruit, mentor and inspire a globally recognised scientific team.
  • Build the intellectual property portfolio defining the future of exogenous development.

Supporting Duties & Responsibilities

  • Serve as a strategic partner to the Chief Biology Officer and the development team on all AWT research efforts overseeing multiple projects, leveraging resources from cross functional areas, to advance AWT research programs into clinical proof-of-concept and final product.
  • Provide scientific leadership, expertise, management from discovery through translational activities with a focus on rapidly progressing research programs through an R&D process.
  • Serve as the overall program leader of multiple interdisciplinary teams for each species-specific program.
  • Responsible for the successful collaboration and overall development and implementation activities driving Colossal’s AWT platform for the initial and future designated species programs.
  • Oversee mixed teams of scientists and engineers who lead the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo experiments to validate novel technology and approaches to create species specific artificial wombs.
  • Ensure appropriate scientific rigor in the design, conduct, validity, and interpretation of results.
  • Recognize and conceptualize patents and validate innovative solutions and approaches to anticipate emerging needs.
  • Serve as the scientific translational and developmental biology leader for external collaborations and scientific presentations to investors, investigators, and academic community.
  • Provide guidance on biology/translational science and execute on resulting plans with regulatory agencies.
  • Work with internal and external legal teams to build an IP portfolio including regulatory filings, patent applications and manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Lead efforts to build collaborative relationships and alliances with internal and external partners to drive innovation and influence the AWT portfolio.
  • Develop and manage annual, quarterly, and monthly objectives and timelines.Maintain deep expertise in emerging science and technology across developmental biology, genetic engineering, and reproductive medicine, translating that knowledge into strategic analysis, technical problem solving, and continuous improvement that keeps AWT programs on timeline and ahead of the field.
  • Animal ethics - ensure that all operations are performed with appropriate regulatory oversight including IACUC, USDA, IATA, others as appropriate.
  • Talent development - Recruit, develop, and retain scientific talent that enables achievement of strategic path milestones

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a recognized Scientific Leader in the developmental biology discipline with knowledge and enthusiasm for ambitious projects and a passion for species conservation and de-extinction.

Ideal Experience

  • 10+ years of relevant research and management experience beyond post-doctoral research including hands-on leadership and competence in the scientific and technical aspects of genetic engineering, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, reproductive technology, animal health combined with a novel medical device. Knowledge or experience in genetic engineering, AI and machine learning, embryology, stem cell programming, animal husbandry, and exogenous development would be a significant plus.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary scientific and technical teams, with experience advancing research programs from discovery through the continuum to product registration.
  • Experienced in communicating science in a manner both accessible and engaging to a broad audience.
  • Responsive to the changing landscape and demands of novel product development with the ability to envision and execute on alternative strategies.
  • Evidence of independent thinking and leadership skills are vital. Ability to work well under pressure and drive multiple projects that impact critical timelines is essential.
  • BS, MS, PhD, or ScD in a technical field. Educational level is less important than a demonstrated ability to think rigorously, lead successful teams, innovate, and manufacture novel, complex products.

Personal Characteristics & Leadership Skills

  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and written/verbal communication skills, confidence, and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of scientific, technical, medical, research, and others.
  • A goal-orientated individual who operates with a high sense-of-urgency and is comfortable in a nimble, risk-taking environment.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize with flexibility required in a start-up environment.
  • Forward thinking, creative, and strategic with a decisive “can do” attitude that will proactively address challenges and create multiple options to meet business goals.
  • An inspirational leader in words and actions, in everything said and done.
  • A commitment to curiosity and innovation, and the ability to bring others to the same level of commitment.
  • Comfort and the ability to drive deliberate change in an organization and across multiple Research and Development teams.



What Colossal Offers Full-Time Employees:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Excellent paid time off and company holidays so you can rest and recharge 
  • Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
  • Company matched 401k retirement plan
  • Paid parental leave at 100% salary for up to 12 weeks
  • Education reimbursement 
  • An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state

The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That’s why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices. 

Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we’re doing something big. Something Colossal.

Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive. 

EEO is the Law 

Search Firm Representatives: Colossal does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms. No fees will be paid for a hired candidate where no pre-existing agreement is in place. We handle most recruitment in-house. 

Colossal is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by BuiltIn for 4 years in a row across multiple categories in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026:

  • #1 on the 50 Best Startups to Work For in Dallas in 2023!
  • 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Dallas in 2024 & 2025
  • 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas, TX (All Size Employers) in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Built In 2026 Award Lists

Great Place to Work Certification Page

Most Loved Workplace Certification Page - Proud to be certified as a most loved workplace including: most loved CEO, most loved workplaces for LGBTQ+, most loved workplaces for women, and most loved workplaces for young professionals.

Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces 2024 Award List - Excited to be amongst the winners of Newsweek's 2024 Most Loved Workplaces! 

              

 

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Colossal Biosciences’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.