Senior Staff/Principal Scientist, AI and Data Science

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is a highly successful nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate cures through stem cell research.

Over the past decade, we have built automated infrastructure to perform cell biology at an unprecedented scale, allowing us to create some of the largest imaging-based datasets in the world. Using cell models from hundreds to thousands of donors, we are aiming to understand disease progression, unlock novel cellular phenotypes, and work to identify the patients who can benefit most from both existing and new therapeutics.

NYSCF is seeking a Senior Staff/Principal Scientist, AI, and Data Science to lead a growing team of data scientists and engineers in developing and deploying novel machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) pipelines to extract disease-relevant phenotypic insights in primary and stem cell-derived cell types. You will oversee and perform the analysis of such data and help design and build the infrastructure and tools for the development of multimodal models combining datasets of other modalities, including genomics and transcriptomics. You will be vital to our future goals, working closely with an interdisciplinary team of biologists, automation specialists, researchers, and engineers.

We are seeking a self-motivated applicant with an advanced degree in computer sciences, life sciences, or biomedical engineering and a strong background in machine learning and computer vision. You will have a strong interest in biology, a curiosity to explore datasets and drive novel research, and a desire to lead a team as NYSCF grows.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and grow a team of data scientists specializing in AI/ML methodologies. 
• Lead research in developing and deploying ML tools to unlock phenotypes in in-vitro cell models.
• Drive projects from inception to results, including designing cohorts to minimize batch effects, use AI and Computer Vision to identify morphological phenotypic differences between cohorts. 
• Design High Content Imaging (HCI) screens to highlight phenotypic differences between cohorts. 
• Work with teams to manage image data acquisition, storage, quality analysis, and transfer.
• Develop quality control and data visualization tools for developing and performing high-content screens.
• Communicate technical results and methods clearly, and interact cross-functionally with various people and teams.
• Collaborate with computational biologists to integrate complementary datasets, including omics, to produce multimodal models of human disease.
• Write and procure grants and scientific papers. 

What we're looking for:

• PhD degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., statistics, computational biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or similar) or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience leading a team in the ML space, including interactions with engineers and scientists demonstrating experience beyond just analysis in developing pipelines and workflows.
• 5+ years experience with Python.
• 5+ years experience with exploratory and statistical data analysis (such as linear models, multivariate analysis, predictive modeling, and stochastic models).
• 5+ years experience extracting and cleaning data sets.
• 5+ years experience in AI and Computer Vision.
• Familiarity with software engineering practices and experience developing production.
• Software and using cloud computing (AWS preferred).
• Familiarity with microscopes, scientific imaging, and image analysis.
• Demonstrated willingness to teach others and learn new techniques.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Familiarity with scientific image analysis tools (ImageJ, FIJI).
• Familiarity with cell biology.

At NYSCF, we believe diversity in all forms makes us a better team, and we celebrate it. Yet studies have shown that women, people of color, and other minoritized individuals in STEM may be less likely to apply to jobs where they do not meet all of the criteria. Therefore, if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We offer all full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that goes into effect on the first of the month following your start date. It includes a choice of medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403b retirement plan with 2% employer match (immediate vesting schedule which starts after your first 90 days), short and long term insurance, life insurance, inclusive paid parental leave program, pretax transit and parking, legal aid benefits and wellness benefits. Our paid time off includes vacation, sick, personal days, flexible holidays, summer flex program, and all company holidays. If a visa is required, NYSCF will cover all of those costs. Relocation will sometimes be necessary; therefore, we will provide you with an allowance. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification upon hire.

NYSCF is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We provide equal opportunities to all applicants for employment without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The position is based at our location in Manhattan.

Recruitment Phishing Scams:

Fake job advertisements and offers are increasingly appearing on the internet. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond and report it to the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice.You can also contact our team [email protected] to report details of your experience.

Please be mindful of the following:

· NYSCF will only reach out to you through an “@nyscf.org” email address.

· Other than your email address or telephone number, which you may provide via a job application portal, NYSCF will never ask you to provide personally identifiable information about yourself (such as a Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number) via a messaging application (like that used on the LinkedIn platform or Microsoft Teams or Zoom).

· NYSCF will conduct interviews face-to-face over Zoom or in person.

· All job postings will be listed on NYSCF's official career page (nyscf.org/careers). If someone contacts you about a job or position that is not listed on the official career page, please contact the NYSCF recruitment team at the contact information below.

· If you have any questions regarding the validity of a recruitment inquiry or an interview, please contact the NYSCF’s recruitment team at [email protected] to confirm before proceeding.