AVP, AI/ML - Generative Foundation Models for Biotherapeutics

Scorpion Therapeutics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly BioTDR is seeking a Vice President of Generative Foundation Models for Biotherapeutics in San Diego to lead AI-driven protein design platforms for antibodies and VHH therapeutics. You will shape the scientific strategy for structure-based generative models and oversee pretraining, fine-tuning, and validation efforts.

You will build and mentor a team of AI researchers and engineers, collaborate across biology and data science disciplines, and communicate strategy to senior leadership and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in computer science, computational biology, or related STEM with 5+ years post-Ph.D. research or MS with 10+ years.
• Extensive experience in deep learning, generative modeling, and large-scale GPU training.
• Proven record in biomolecular structure modeling and first-author contributions.
• Fluency in Python and PyTorch.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute scientific strategy for structure-based generative models, oversee model pretraining, fine-tuning, and validation.
• Build and lead a team of AI researchers and engineers.
• Collaborate across disciplines to integrate biological data and drive innovation.
• Communicate strategy to leadership and scientific community.

Skills

Deep learning

Generative modeling

GPU training

Python

PyTorch

Biomolecular modeling

Publications (first-author)

Education

Ph.D. in computer science, computational biology, or related STEM

5+ years post-Ph.D. research or MS with 10+ years

Tools

PyTorch

GPU hardware experience

Job description

Role: Vice President of Generative Foundation Models for Biotherapeutics at Lilly BioTDR, leading the development of AI-driven protein design platforms for antibody and VHH therapeutics.

Responsibilities

• define and execute scientific strategy for structure-based generative models, oversee model pretraining, fine-tuning, and validation
• build and lead a team of AI researchers and engineers
• collaborate across disciplines to integrate biological data and drive innovation
• communicate strategy to leadership and scientific community.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in computer science, computational biology, or related STEM with 5+ years post-Ph.D. research or M.S. with 10+ years, extensive experience in deep learning, generative modeling, and large-scale GPU training
• proven record in biomolecular structure modeling and first-author contributions
• fluency in Python and PyTorch

Preferred

• experience in antibody or VHH design, equivariant architectures, uncertainty quantification, and leading research teams
• ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate in large, matrixed organizations

High Value

• focus on antibody and biotherapeutic modalities, structure-based generative modeling, AI/ML leadership, and strategic scientific vision for early-stage biotherapeutic discovery.

Location

• San Diego, on-site, with a collaborative, fast-cycle research environment.