Director, Screening and Automation

Position: Director, Screening and Automation

Location: Newark, CA

Job Id: 407

# of Openings: 0

Responsibilities

• Recruit, manage, and mentor a team of scientists and technicians. Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for laboratory automation to support our drug discovery pipeline. Identify and implement new automation technologies and workflows to increase efficiency and capacity.
• Oversee the design, development, and execution of high-throughput screening campaigns. Ensure the quality and reliability of screening data.
• Lead the adaptation and scaling of cell-based and biochemical assays for automated platforms, including target engagement assays.
• Work closely with other teams in Discovery to support their automation needs and ensure seamless project execution.
• Be responsible for the maintenance and performance of all screening and automation equipment. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.

Qualifications

• Education: A Ph.D. in a relevant field such as biology, biochemistry, or engineering is required.
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Technical Skills: Extensive hands‑on experience with laboratory automation, including liquid handlers, robotic systems, and high-throughput screening instrumentation. Proficiency in developing and optimizing a variety of cell-based and biochemical assays. Experience with data analysis and visualization software.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop a team of scientists.
• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across different teams and disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Technologies: Experience with acoustic liquid handling, high-content imaging, and other advanced screening technologies is highly desirable.
• Data Management: Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and large-scale data management.
• External Collaboration: Experience managing relationships with external vendors and contract research organizations (CROs).
• A demonstrated track record of implementing novel automation platforms and workflows that have significantly impacted drug discovery programs.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $210,000 and $250,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.