Earli tackles the #1 problem in the $100B cancer drug market: systemic toxicity. On-target/off-tumor effects force suboptimal dosing, reduced efficacy and sidelining some of the most potent drug classes such as cytokines. Earli’s BioAI approach flips this paradigm: Drugs are produced only where needed—in the tumor, by the tumor, against the tumor. Cancer cells become their own drug factories, enabling localized immune activation, even in cold tumors.
This was enabled by three core innovations:
- Extrahepatic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that reach tumors such as lung cancer
- AI-designed genetic switches that activate only in malignant cells by sensing transcription factor dysregulation
- Local production of immune therapies (TCEs, cytokines, multispecifics) at the tumor site — “produce locally, consume locally”
Together, these technologies create a new biological control layer, allowing tumors to self-identify and trigger their own targeted immune attack—achieving specificity beyond current targeted or IO therapies.
Earli plans to enter the clinic by mid-2027 with a Phase 1/2 lung cancer trial. The company is backed by a16z, Khosla, Perceptive, Alex Gorsky, Marc Benioff, Breyer, Emerson Collective, Sands Capital and others. The SAB includes Jim Allison (Nobel Laureate, MD Anderson), Bob Langer (Co-founder Moderna, MIT), Phil Greenberg (Co-founder Juno), Amy Abernethy (frm. Principal Deputy FDA Commissioner), Bill Hait (former J&J EVP Oncology R&D), and Alan Ashworth (President UCSF Cancer Center). The leadership team brings deep gene therapy, LNP, CMC and tech experience; CEO Cyriac Roeding previously led a $250M (11x return) exit.
Who You Are
- You share our same sense of dedication, scientific passion and entrepreneurial spirit
- You work well in a fast-paced and extremely focused startup environment
- You are not only smart, but clever and constantly think outside the box
- You are able to make logical decisions in an instant when there is little time to evaluate
- You are a natural communicator and relationship builder
- You stay calm under high pressure and stress
- You have the ability to multi-task in a serious way, with an extreme attention to detail
- You become a representative of the core DNA of the company through who you are
The Position
Earli Inc. is currently seeking a top caliber Senior Scientist, Bio AI to join our Synthetic Bioengineering team.
Your Primary Responsibilities
- Leverage cutting-edge ML, bioinformatics, and high-throughput assay data to design cancer-specific synthetic promoters and novel genetic medicines that will directly impact Earli’s clinical pipeline.
- Train generative AI models for designing genetic medicines by leveraging Earli’s proprietary Massively Parallel Reporter Assay (MPRA) data as well as external data sets
- Contribute to wet lab experimental design and data evaluation to benchmark AI model performance against ground truth wet lab data and create a rapid iteration loop
- Perform routine computational analyses to analyze MPRA and other large experimental datasets using existing packages as well as bespoke analysis where needed. Provide accessible interfaces (e.g. Shiny apps) for routine data analysis (e.g. RNAseq profiling) for team members
- Perform routine bioinformatic analyses on multi-modal omics data (RNAseq and scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, proteomics, phospho-proteomics etc.) using individual as well as coherent multi-omic ML-based pipelines to identify key dysregulated targets and pathways in selected cancer indications
- Routinely deploy code and execute on Earli’s infrastructure hosted by Cloud Service Providers (e.g. GCP) with appropriate engineering adaptations as needed. Help develop and work within budgets for GPU usage/compute
Your Required Experience, Knowledge and Skill
- Master’s or PhD degree in a relevant field (bioengineering, computer science, data science, etc.) with a minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience using AI/ML applied to genomic/bioinformatic data using state-of-the-art GenAI models
- Deep, direct expertise (preferably with high-quality publications) in developing novel GenAI models trained on massive biological data. Hands-on expertise in model training, fine-tuning, and in silico evaluation is a pre-requisite for this role.
- An expert level of competence in data analysis on large and complex empirical data, such as MPRA data, multi-modal omics data, etc.
- Familiarity with and prior experience collaborating with wet lab scientists to generate and curate high-throughput screening data on large libraries of DNA or RNA sequences
- Proficiency in routine bioinformatic analyses such as differential gene expression, ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analysis, etc.
- Expert level coding skills in Python and R
- Basic knowledge of fundamental cancer biology is required. Deep expertise in cancer -omics, biomarkers, targets and pathways is preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication as well as interpersonal skills are required
- Able to multi-task, manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively within a team
- Ability to think independently and fully integrate into a high achieving team environment
The base salary for this position is $205,000-$235,000 per year.
If interested in applying, please attach a CV or have a well-developed LinkedIn profile for us to be able to assess your background.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Skills Required
- Master's or PhD in bioengineering, computer science, data science, etc.
- Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience using AI/ML applied to genomic/bioinformatic data
- Expertise in developing GenAI models trained on massive biological data
- Proficient in data analysis on large complex empirical data
- Expert level coding skills in Python and R
- Basic knowledge of fundamental cancer biology
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects
What We Do
Earli mission is to make cancer a benign experience. Rather than rely on biomarkers that cancer may - or often may not - naturally provide, Earli's technology *forces* cancer cells to make a synthetic, non-human biomarker using gene therapy approaches. It's called a Synthetic Biopsy. It can then localize the cancer in a PET scanner. Earli has been funded by Andreessen Horowitz's Bio Fund, Khosla, Perceptive Advisors, Casdin Capital, Sands Capital, Marc Benioff, Menlo Ventures, ZhenFund. Earli is based in the West Coast’s prime biotech hub in South San Francisco.
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