Staff Computational Biologist

Summary

Join Karius, a life sciences startup, as a Computational Biologist to develop and improve algorithms for maximizing the value of biological data. You will lead the design and development of computational methods and pipelines, contribute to strategic planning, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This role requires a PhD or Masters in a related field with 5+ years (PhD) or 8+ years (Masters) of experience in biotech or pharma. Expertise in probabilistic models, NGS/bioinformatics, and high-dimensional data analysis is essential. The position offers the opportunity to work on impactful scientific problems at the forefront of infectious disease diagnostics, transforming patient care and accelerating scientific discovery. The location is hybrid (Redwood City, CA) or remote (USA).

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Masters in computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, or a related field, preferably with a focus on computational biology
• Proven experience in biotech, pharma, or relevant industry settings: minimum required experience with PhD is 5+ years, Masters is 8+ years
• Demonstrated track record of developing novel quantitative models for biological data, as shown through relevant publications
• Expertise and ability to innovate in probabilistic models (e.g., Dirichlet processes)
• Expertise with NGS/bioinformatics, statistics, and machine learning tools for analysis of high-dimensional datasets
• Excellent communication skills and ability to thrive in collaborative, cross-functional teams
• Comfortable working in a small, agile team where responsibilities span both research and development, and able to shift focus as needed to meet evolving project goals

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, implementation, validation and improvement of novel computational methods and algorithms to extract actionable insights from high-dimensional biological data
• Lead the design and development of computational pipelines for analyzing complex, high-dimensional NGS and other biological datasets
• Contribute to strategic planning and scientific direction for computational biology within the company, influencing roadmap decisions and investment in infrastructure
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with colleagues in Assay Development, Analytics, Research, Engineering, Molecular Biology, and Medical Affairs to understand data properties, clinical context, and opportunities for improvement
• Drive data interpretation and biological contextualization of findings; author technical elements of publications, presentations and regulatory submissions
• Stay current on emerging trends in computational biology, metagenomics, statistics, and software engineering, and proactively apply relevant advances to enhance analytical capabilities and scientific rigor
• Explore diverse approaches to modeling and problem-solving across quantitative disciplines
• Share a passion for ensuring the quality of our computational methods

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in diagnostics is highly desirable, and experience with database technologies is a plus
• Passionate and purpose-driven with a deep connection to Karius’ mission
• Comfortable in a hybrid research-development environment
• Detail-oriented, organized, and effective in a fast-paced startup setting
• Eager to grow and help others grow as part of a collaborative, learning-focused team
• Strong scientific curiosity and a drive to solve complex biological problems through data
• Adaptable and resilient in the face of ambiguity and evolving priorities
• Committed to scientific integrity, transparency, and rigor in every aspect of work
• Excellent communicator who can translate technical insights into actionable biological understanding

Benefits

Hybrid (Redwood City, CA) or Remote (USA)