About Xaira Therapeutics
Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development.
About the Role
We are seeking a visionary scientific leader to direct our Functional Genomics group, a critical driver of innovation at Xaira Therapeutics. This role will focus on pioneering and implementing high-throughput functional genomics platforms while leveraging advanced single-cell omics technologies. The successful candidate will spearhead technology development and collaboration with automation engineers, AI/ML scientists, computational biologists, and translational scientists to unlock novel insights into complex disease biology and therapeutic targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and continue to build the Functional Genomics team to generate high-throughput perturbation data for drug discovery and AI/ML modeling initiatives.
- Continue to develop and implement advanced technologies, such as perturb-seq, CRISPRi/a, single-cell omics and advanced genetic engineering techniques, to drive functional genomics insights.
- Collaborate closely with AI/ML scientists, computational biologists, and disease biology experts to integrate large-scale data into predictive models.
- Design and optimize experiments using complex screening models, including cell lines, primary cells, differentiated cell types and in vivo systems.
- Drive technology innovation to streamline workflows, increase throughput, and enhance data quality in high-throughput perturbation assays.
- Oversee experimental design, protocol development, and resource allocation to ensure project milestones and scientific objectives are met.
- Present scientific findings and progress to internal and external stakeholders, contributing to publications, patents, and conference presentations.
- Mentor, train, and professionally develop research scientists and staff within the team.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in molecular biology, genomics, bioengineering, or a related field with 10+ years of experience in functional genomics or genome engineering.
- Demonstrated expertise in CRISPR-based screening, perturb-seq, and single-cell RNAseq techniques.
- Proven track record in high-throughput data generation, processing, and interpretation for drug discovery or disease model development.
- Strong experience working with complex cellular models, including organoids and primary cell systems.
- Familiarity with AI/ML applications in functional genomics and experience collaborating with computational scientists.
- Effective leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring high-performing research teams.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills for scientific presentations, reports, and publications.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment focused on scientific innovation and impact.
Compensation
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. The base pay range for this position is expected to be $174,000 - $230,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.
Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.
TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Xaira Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or employees. XairaTherapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Top Skills
What We Do
Xaira Therapeutics is an integrated biotechnology company driving advances in artificial intelligence to learn the language of life and transform how we treat disease. The company seeks to rethink the drug discovery and development process from end-to-end by bringing together leading talent across three core areas: machine learning research to better understand biology, expansive data generation to power new models, and robust therapeutic product development to treat disease. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area
