Director, Computational Biology & AI

Cerenome; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Cerenome is seeking a Director, Computational Biology & AI to establish and lead internal computational biology and AI capabilities. You will translate complex scientific data into insights for research, clinical development, and strategic decision-making.

This hands-on leadership role demands deep expertise in cancer biology, computational methods, and advanced analytics, with the chance to build an internal team as the company grows.

Qualifications

• PhD in Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, Neuroscience, Computational Biology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• 8+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience with computational analysis of biological or clinical data.
• Strong scientific understanding of oncology, tumor biology, molecular diagnostics, genomics, or translational research.
• Proficient in Python and R with statistical modeling, ML, and reproducible workflows.
• Experience analyzing complex clinical, genomic, molecular, or longitudinal datasets.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead computational biology strategy across multiple programs: treatment outcomes, molecular diagnostics, disease modeling, and discovery.
• Design computational analyses of genomic, imaging, dosimetry, and clinical outcomes data using ML and advanced methods.
• Build scalable data capabilities: data infrastructure, standards, workflows, governance.
• Identify and implement practical AI applications to strengthen research and development.
• Ensure scientific rigor: model validation, reproducibility, data quality, and regulatory readiness.
• Provide direction to external data engineering partners and collaborators.
• Collaborate across Clinical Operations, Diagnostics, Regulatory, and Biostatistics to translate questions into analytics.
• Develop computational models to identify trends and support translational research.
• Plan for future capabilities: recruiting, mentoring, and growing the team.
• Present analyses and recommendations to executives and partners.
• Contribute to publications and external collaborations.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and adopt new technologies.

Skills

Python

R

Genomics

Machine Learning

Clinical Data Analysis

Leadership

Education

PhD in Cancer Biology or related field

Tools

Cloud platforms (AWS/GCP)

Git

Jupyter/Notebook workflows

Job description

Cerenome (Nasdaq: CNSY) is a clinical-stage central nervous system (CNS) oncology company focused on transforming how rare and severe brain and spinal cancers are diagnosed, monitored, and treated. Our work brings together advanced diagnostics, targeted radiotherapeutics, and data analytics to address some of the most difficult challenges in neuro-oncology.

Our portfolio includes CNSide®, our proprietary cerebrospinal fluid-based diagnostic platform designed to support the diagnosis and management of cancers involving the central nervous system, and REYOBIQ™, our investigational radiotherapeutic currently in clinical development.

As we grow, many of the systems, capabilities, and ways of working that will support our next stage are being built now. We see that as an opportunity—and we're looking for people who do, too.

Role

Cerenome is looking for a Director, Computational Biology & AI to help establish and lead our internal computational biology and artificial intelligence capabilities. As our clinical and molecular data programs expand, this role will play a key part in translating complex scientific data into meaningful insights that support research, clinical development, and strategic decision-making.

This is a hands-on scientific leadership role for someone with deep expertise in cancer biology, computational methods, and advanced analytics. You'll help shape our scientific and data strategy, lead computational analyses, guide external technical partners, and establish the infrastructure and analytical approaches needed to support our next stage of growth.

We're looking for someone who can operate at both the strategic and tactical levels—setting scientific direction and advising senior leadership while also rolling up their sleeves to analyze complex biological data, develop computational models, challenge scientific assumptions, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

As our organization grows, this role is expected to evolve and may include responsibility for building and leading an internal computational biology and AI team.

Responsibilities:

• Establish and lead computational biology strategy, scientific priorities, analytical approaches, and execution plans across four strategic programs involving treatment outcomes, molecular diagnostics, disease modeling, and therapeutic discovery.
• Design and conduct computational analyses of genomic, molecular, imaging, dosimetry, and clinical outcomes data using statistical modeling, machine learning, and advanced analytical methods.
• Build scalable scientific data capabilities, including data infrastructure, standards, analytical workflows, and governance practices that support reliable and reproducible research.
• Identify and implement practical AI and machine-learning applications that strengthen scientific research, clinical development, and data-driven decision-making.
• Establish standards for scientific rigor, including model validation, reproducibility, data quality, documentation, and regulatory readiness.
• Provide scientific direction and oversight to external data engineering partners, technical consultants, academic collaborators, and other research partners.
• Partner across Clinical Operations, Diagnostics, Regulatory, Quality, Biostatistics, and scientific leadership to translate clinical and business questions into meaningful analytical initiatives.
• Develop computational models and analytical approaches that help identify scientific trends, evaluate treatment outcomes, and support translational research.
• Help define future organizational capabilities and talent needs, including recruiting, mentoring, and developing technical specialists as the function grows.
• Present scientific analyses, findings, recommendations, and program progress to executive leadership, scientific partners, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and external research collaborations.
• Identify opportunities to improve analytical efficiency, integrate emerging technologies, and strengthen computational capabilities as Cerenome's scientific programs evolve.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, Neuroscience, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• 8+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience, including substantial responsibility for computational analysis of biological or clinical data.
• Strong scientific understanding of oncology, tumor biology, molecular diagnostics, genomics, or related translational research.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and R, statistical modeling, machine learning, and reproducible computational workflows.
• Experience analyzing complex clinical, genomic, molecular, or longitudinal datasets, including smaller patient cohorts.
• Working knowledge of cloud computing environments, data pipelines, version control, and modern bioinformatics tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading scientific initiatives, developing analytical strategies, and guiding technical partners or collaborators.
• Strong analytical capabilities and the ability to translate complex scientific data into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to scientific, clinical, and executive audiences.
• Experience in CNS oncology, liquid biopsy, minimal residual disease, or precision oncology is highly valued.
• Familiarity with next-generation sequencing, circulating tumor DNA, medical imaging, or radiopharmaceutical development is preferred.
• Experience applying AI or advanced machine-learning methods to translational research or clinical development is preferred.
• Knowledge of regulated research environments, including GCP, CLIA/CAP, or FDA-related development activities, is preferred.
• Experience building scientific teams, managing external vendors, or establishing new computational capabilities is preferred.
• Experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, or translational research organizations is preferred.

Requirements:

• Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and hands-on technical levels in a growing organization.
• Strong scientific judgment, analytical thinking, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with evolving scientific and business priorities.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence stakeholders across scientific, clinical, technical, and executive teams.
• Commitment to scientific rigor, data integrity, reproducibility, and responsible application of AI technologies.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment, with regular onsite collaboration at Cerenome's corporate headquarters in Houston, TX.
• Ability to travel as needed based on business and scientific program requirements.

Cerenome is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.