Director, AI/ML - Generative Foundation Models for Biotherapeutics

Scorpion Therapeutics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly in San Diego is seeking a lead scientist to drive the development of protein and antibody foundation models for an AI-driven design platform, focusing on therapeutic molecules including GPCR targets. You will oversee model architecture, training strategies, and validation while guiding a team of researchers and engineers.

The role emphasizes translating research into practical tools, advancing data integration, and evaluating external innovations in a high-performance computing environment

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in computer science, computational biology, or related field.
• 3+ years post-Ph.D. research experience with leadership in molecular AI modeling.
• Proven track record in generative or predictive models for protein design.
• Strong Python and PyTorch skills.
• Experience with multi-GPU training infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end model architecture, training strategies, and validation.
• Lead a team of AI researchers and ML engineers.
• Develop proprietary biological data integration.
• Set technical direction and evaluate external innovations.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Multi-GPU training

Education

Ph.D. in computer science or computational biology

Tools

GPU clusters

Job description

Role

Lead the development of protein and antibody foundation models for Lilly's AI-driven generative design platform, focusing on therapeutic molecules targeting challenging classes like GPCRs.

Responsibilities

• oversee end-to-end model architecture, training strategies, and validation
• lead a team of AI researchers and ML engineers
• develop proprietary biological data integration
• set technical direction, and evaluate external innovations

Requirements

• Ph.D. in computer science, computational biology, or related field
• 3+ years post-Ph.D. research experience with leadership in molecular AI modeling
• proven track record in generative or predictive models for protein design
• strong Python and PyTorch skills
• experience with multi-GPU training infrastructure

Preferred

• expertise in equivariant architectures, diffusion models, graph transformers, and antibody design
• experience translating research prototypes into routine tools
• contributions to open-source or benchmarks
• ability to collaborate across interdisciplinary teams

High-Value

• focus on protein and antibody therapeutics within Lilly's BioTDR, utilizing LillyPod supercomputing infrastructure
• leadership role in cutting-edge AI for biotherapeutic discovery
• located at Lilly's San Diego site, with potential for close collaboration with wet-lab scientists