Principal Scientist, Translational Biology

Cytokinetics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 203,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Cytokinetics is seeking a PhD-level scientist to advance precision medicine by integrating multi-omics data and applying AI/ML approaches to cardiovascular disease research. You will lead cross-functional translational projects and contribute to the development of biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

The role emphasizes collaboration, data-driven decision making, and leadership of scientific teams. You will mentor researchers and help shape biomarker-driven programs and evidence-based targets.

Qualifications

• PhD with 6+ years post-doctoral or industry experience
• Strong expertise in analyzing large-scale genomic datasets including GWAS and sequencing data
• Proficiency in R and/or Python; experience with longitudinal data and evaluating AI/ML methods

Responsibilities

• Integrate genomic, transcriptomics, proteomic and single cell data to trace genetic variation effects
• Discover and validate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers using omics data and biobanks
• Develop AI/ML methods linking molecular profiles with imaging and clinical phenotypes
• Investigate disease heterogeneity and genotype-phenotype discordance to generate mechanistic hypotheses
• Lead translational applications of LLMs and agents with benchmarking

Skills

Genomics data analysis

R and Python

AI/ML methods

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology / Human Genetics / Bioinformatics

Tools

GWAS analysis

Single-cell analysis

Job description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.

Responsibilities

• Integrate genomic, transcriptomics, proteomic and single cell data to trace how genetic variation drives molecular and cellular changes in cardiac and skeletal muscle disease
• Discover and validate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of disease onset, progression, and clinical outcomes using omics and longitudinal clinical data from biobanks and patient cohorts
• Develop and validate AI/ML methods linking molecular profiles with imaging and clinical phenotypes to define patient subgroups for precision medicine
• Investigate disease heterogeneity and genotype-phenotype discordance to uncover modifier pathways and generate mechanistic hypotheses for experimental follow up
• Lead translational applications of LLMs and agents (e.g., evidence synthesis, data curation) with appropriate benchmarking

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Human Genetics, Bioinformatics, or a related field with 6+ years of post-doctoral or industry experience
• Strong expertise in analyzing large-scale genomic datasets, including GWAS and sequencing data
• Deep expertise in transcriptomics, proteomics, or single-cell analysis with integration across data types
• Track record translating human molecular or phenotypic data into disease mechanisms, therapeutic targets or biomarker strategies
• Proficiency in R and/or Python, with expertise in study design, batch effects, confounding, longitudinal data and evaluating AI/ML methods
• Strong interest in applying AI tools, including LLMs and agents, to translational research (production experience not required) and ability to lead cross-functional projects and mentor scientists

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with population biobanks (e.g., UK Biobank, All of Us) or disease-specific cohorts
• Drug discovery experience including biomarker analysis, patient sample studies, or patient stratification
• Experience integrating genetic evidence with single cell or tissue-specific expression data
• Previous therapeutic area experience in cardiovascular and neuromuscular disease is strongly desired
• Experience prototyping LLM-assisted or agentic workflows

You don’t need to be an expert in every modality or tool. We value depth in a core area, breadth of thinking, and the initiative to generate evidence that changes decisions.

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered. If you are excited about what you could accomplish at Cytokinetics and believe you can add value to our team, we would love to hear from you.

Please review our General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy PRIOR to applying.

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do – all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Pay Range

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $202,5000-$236,250. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. Base salary is just one component of our competitive total compensation package, which includes equity in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Please visit our website at: www.cytokinetics.com

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer