Life Sciences Program Lead: High-Burden Diseases

OpenAI Foundation; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI Foundation is building its life sciences program to accelerate progress on curing diseases and improving health. We focus on AI for Alzheimer’s, Public Data for Health, and High-Burden Diseases, and seek a Program Officer to help build this work from the ground up.

This founding, generalist role operates across scientific, strategic, and grantmaking questions. Based in San Francisco, CA with a hybrid model (3 days in the office per week), it requires flexibility, strong judgment, and the

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years experience in relevant fields is preferred.
• Experience in biology, translational medicine, drug development, or global health.
• Ability to engage credibly across scientific and strategic topics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong judgment and autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and recommend grants across High-Burden Diseases.
• Design and manage a growing grants portfolio with clear prioritization.
• Engage external researchers, nonprofits, and funders to build partnerships.
• Shape strategy with the Head of High-Burden Diseases and refine approaches over time.
• Write internal memos to support decision making.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Grant evaluation

External partnerships

Scientific communication

Autonomy

Ambiguity tolerance

Life sciences expertise

Job description

OpenAI Foundation is building its life sciences program to accelerate progress on curing diseases and improving health. We focus on AI for Alzheimer’s, Public Data for Health, and High-Burden Diseases, and seek a Program Officer to help build this work from the ground up.

This founding, generalist role operates across scientific, strategic, and grantmaking questions. Based in San Francisco, CA with a hybrid model (3 days in the office per week), it requires flexibility, strong judgment, and the