Director, Screening and High Content Analysis

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) in Detroit seeks a Director of Screening and High Content Analysis to lead the development and execution of its high-content screening platform. You will design automated workflows for organoid and cell-based assays, implement AI-driven image analysis, and build scalable, robust pipelines aligned with NGNRI’s research priorities.

You will recruit and lead a multidisciplinary team, oversee data management, and collaborate with internal

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications include an MSc in bioengineering, computational biology, neuroscience, cell biology, or related discipline.
• Significant experience in high-content imaging and phenotypic screening.
• Proven track record in designing automated screening campaigns.
• Expertise with image analysis tools such as CellProfiler, ImageJ, or Python-based pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead NGNRI’s high-content imaging and screening platform.
• Design automated workflows for organoid and cell-based assays.
• Develop imaging assays, readouts, and quantitative analysis pipelines.
• Integrate AI/ML approaches for image analysis and pattern recognition.

Skills

High-content imaging

Organoids

AI-driven analysis

Data science

Leadership

Education

MSc in bioengineering, computational biology, neuroscience, cell biology, or related

PhD preferred

Tools

CellProfiler

ImageJ

Python pipelines

AI/ML tools

Job description

Director, Screening and High Content Analysis

Sep 8

As the Director, Screening and High Content Analysis, you will lead the development and execution of NGNRI’s high-content screening platform, driving target discovery and therapeutic development using advanced organoid and cell-based models.

This role will design and scale automated screening workflows that integrate high-content imaging, quantitative image analysis, and data science approaches, including AI-driven methods. As a scientific and technical leader, you will ensure seamless integration of screening capabilities with NGNRI’s broader research platforms and strategic priorities.

This is a key leadership position with a clear mandate: to build and manage robust, high throughput screening and analysis systems that accelerate the discovery of therapeutic targets and compounds for NF1 and related neurological disorders.

About the role

Establish and lead NGNRI’s high-content imaging and screening platform

Design and implement automated screening workflows for organoid and cell-based assays

Develop and optimize imaging assays, phenotypic readouts, and quantitative analysis pipelines

Integrate AI/ML-based approaches for image analysis and pattern recognition

Ensure scalability, robustness, and reproducibility of screening pipelines

Collaborate closely with the Head of Cell Culture and Organoids to align biological models with screening requirements

Recruit, train, and manage a multidisciplinary team (biologists, imaging scientists, data analysts)

Oversee data management, storage, and analysis pipelines, ensuring accessibility and integrity

Partner with internal and external researchers to design screening campaigns for target identification and drug discovery

Continuously evaluate emerging technologies in imaging, automation, and computational analysis

Contribute to interpretation of screening results and downstream validation strategies

Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, data governance, and ethical standards

About you

Minimum Qualifications

MSC in bioengineering, computational biology, neuroscience, cell biology, or related discipline

Significant experience in high-content imaging, phenotypic screening, or related fields

Proven track record in designing and executing automated screening campaigns

Expertise in image analysis tools and platforms (e.g., CellProfiler, ImageJ, Python-based pipelines, or equivalent)

Demonstrated leadership experience in academic, biotech, or pharmaceutical environments

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities

Experience managing large datasets and computational workflows

Preferred Qualifications

PhD in bioengineering, computational biology, neuroscience, cell biology, or related discipline

Experience with AI/ML approaches applied to biological imaging data

Experience working with complex biological systems such as organoids or stem cell–derived models

Familiarity with drug discovery pipelines

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI)is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinicalexpertiseto accelerate translational discovery. Located within a new,state-of-the-artresearch facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities. NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute tocutting-edgescience within a vibrant and expanding hub.

NGNRI is in an early stage of development and relies on support from its founding organization, the Rocket Family of Companies, for some of its infrastructure, including talent acquisition. Like the institute itself, salary ranges and benefits are still under construction—they will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of NGNRI at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. NGNRI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [e-mail].