Director, Precision Biology Innovation Hub

What You Will Contribute to Altos

The purpose of the Altos Bay Area Institute (BAI) Precision Biology Innovation Hub (PBIH) is to leverage the design and deployment of cutting-edge synthetic biology technologies for perturbing and measuring critical variables in living cells and organisms. The PBIH will seamlessly integrate with the Altos BAI Computational and Electrophysiology Hubs to provide tools for a) system identification and mathematical modeling that guide experimental thrusts and produce predictive models of complex cellular behaviors, and b) synaptic and circuit function manipulations.

The PBIH will ensure the close coupling of cutting-edge optogenetic, pharmacogenetic, and related synthetic biology expanding modalities (e.g., nascent ultrasonic, magnetic, etc. and actuation and reporter technologies) with theoretical frameworks to dissect three fundamental pillars of homeostatic signal transduction modulation underlying cellular rejuvenation: signaling dynamics, signaling plasticity, and signaling autonomy. Understanding signaling dynamics (intensity, frequency, and duration), signaling plasticity (output differences), and signaling autonomy (transmission of information within and among cells) has the power to reveal how specific molecular circuits perform computations that control cellular decisions, opening a door for the interventions aimed at cell rejuvenation reprogramming.

The Director of the PBIH will ensure that the PBIH is a linchpin between the many different groups at Altos BAI (and other Altos institutes) in the form of multiple collaborations, cutting-edge technology integration and development as well as data analysis. The Director will also coordinate integration between systems and synthetic biology, cell engineering and synthetic biology, state-of-the-art microscopy, custom light delivery devices, and access to microfabrication and electronics to build customized solutions.

In addition to personnel required to develop the PBIH optimally and successfully, Altos will provide the Director with up to three positions (PhD level) to pursue the Director’s own visionary projects under the general umbrella of the Altos mission. The PBIH Director and his/her scientific team will have full access to our core and CRO services, plenty of opportunity to collaborate, and a sufficient operational budget to be negotiated according to need.

This role is responsible for the overall operations of the PBIH, including management of equipment and personnel. Scientists inside the PBIH are directly supervised by the PBIH director. Responsibilities include:

• Managing different PBIH scientific thrusts and ensuring progress in their support and research missions
• Working with Operations on budget and scheduling
• Hiring and supervising personnel, including research scientists, research specialists, technicians and management personnel
• Communicating with PI’s about scientific needs and problems
• Planning future expansions and updates
• Interfacing with the Altos institutes PIs on a regular basis to thrust scientific projects, collaborative efforts, and foster creative teamwork among the PIs and the PBIH
• Interfacing with various BAI cores to identify opportunities for research and collaboration
• Supervising/guiding/expanding research in various thrusts
• Inventing, optimizing and maintaining state-of-the-art approaches in collaboration with scientists
• Working with scientists inside and outside the PBIH to develop project-specific experimental strategies, techniques, and procedures, and to interpret and model data

 Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline
• 6+ years of post-PhD experience successfully leading research and technology groups

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