About Phare Bio
Phare Bio is a mission-driven biotech startup using generative AI to design and develop a pipeline of novel antibiotics to address the escalating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis.
Launched in 2021 in partnership with the Collins Lab at MIT, Phare is a recipient of the Audacious Project that supports potentially powerful solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges. With a recent ARPA-H government grant award of $27M, Phare Bio is enhancing its AI discovery platform with unprecedented generative AI drug-design capabilities and rapidly growing its antibiotic pipeline. This accelerated growth represents a key inflection point for the organization as it looks to scale its science, operations, and team.
The Role
Phare Bio is seeking a Head of AI & Computational Science with deep expertise in applying machine learning (ML) and generative AI to small molecule drug discovery, particularly in antibiotic development. In this leadership role, you will drive Phare Bio’s AI strategy, spearhead the development of cutting-edge computational methods, and shape our drug discovery pipeline by building on the innovative work of the Collins Lab at MIT. Additionally, you will engage with external stakeholders, articulating Phare Bio’s AI platform's capabilities and impact to both technical and non-technical audiences. This is a unique opportunity to lead AI-driven innovation in pharmaceutical research and address urgent global health challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership in Machine Learning: Define and execute Phare Bio’s ML strategy, ensuring alignment with the company’s broader drug discovery initiatives. Lead the development and expansion of Phare Bio’s ML infrastructure and pipeline for discovering novel antibiotics.
- Reproduce & Advance Cutting-Edge Research: Oversee the replication and enhancement of computational models and workflows from the Collins Lab at MIT, ensuring their application in real-world antibiotic discovery. Partner with experimentalists to validate ML-driven predictions and guide the drug discovery process.
- Machine Learning Model Innovation: Build and refine ML and generative AI algorithms to predict small molecule activity against bacterial pathogens, focusing on overcoming resistance mechanisms and optimizing drug-like properties. Develop de novo compound designs leveraging state-of-the-art AI methodologies.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Integrate diverse datasets to create robust predictive and generative models for evaluating antibiotic efficacy and safety. Continuously refine models to enhance predictive accuracy and translational utility.
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Team Development: Manage interdisciplinary teams, ensuring that ML insights align with strategic experimental objectives. Mentor and develop junior scientists in computational drug discovery methodologies.
- Workflow Automation & Model Validation: Oversee the validation of models using experimental data and in silico studies. Develop scalable, automated workflows for high-throughput and virtual screening of small molecule libraries to accelerate candidate identification.
- External Engagement & Scientific Advocacy: Serve as a public face of Phare Bio’s AI-driven drug discovery efforts. Present findings and strategic insights to internal and external stakeholders, including board members, investors, government agencies, and research collaborators. Effectively communicate complex computational approaches to diverse audiences, influencing key decisions and partnerships.
Required Skills & Experience
Education & Experience
- Ph.D. or Master’s in Cheminformatics, Machine Learning, Computational Biology or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in computational drug discovery, focusing on small molecule screening and lead optimization.
- Experience in developing and deploying ML models in an industry setting, particularly in pharma or biotech.
Technical Expertise
- Machine Learning & AI: Deep expertise in ML techniques (e.g., deep learning, reinforcement learning, transformer-based models) applied to cheminformatics and drug discovery.
- Computational Drug Discovery: Strong understanding of cheminformatics, molecular modeling, and AI-driven compound design.
- Programming & Data Science: Proficiency in Python, R, or Julia, with experience in ML frameworks(TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) and cheminformatics libraries (RDKit, OpenBabel, ChemProp).
- Big Data & Cloud Computing: Experience managing and analyzing large-scale biological and chemical datasets, with familiarity in cloud-based ML deployment.
Leadership & Soft Skills
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to define and drive a long-term vision for AI in drug discovery.
- Scientific Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to present complex ML concepts to executive leadership, investors, and scientific audiences.
- Collaboration: Proven ability to work cross-functionally with medicinal chemists, biologists, and external research partners.
- Mentorship & Team Building: Experience managing and mentoring computational scientists and data scientists in an R&D setting.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with discovery workflows similar to those used in the Collins Lab or other leading academic/industry AI-driven drug discovery platforms.
- Track record of securing external funding(e.g., government grants, industry partnerships) for AI-driven research.
- Experience interacting with regulatory agencies and aligning computational models with drug development requirements.
Perks
- Competitive Compensation: Receive a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package.
- Career Advancement: Grow your expertise and accelerate your career in a cutting-edge and rapidly evolving field.
- Innovative Environment: Collaborate within a dynamic and forward-thinking team, leveraging state-of-the-art tools and technologies.
- Purpose-Driven Work: Contribute to groundbreaking research tackling critical global health challenges, including antibiotic resistance.
This is a full-time, remote position with in-person meetings in Boston and NYC. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Are you a good fit?
If interested, please apply by sending us your resume.
It is the policy of Phare Bio to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate of the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
