Senior Computational Biologist

Karius; Redwood City (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotech startup is looking for a Senior Computational Biologist to develop algorithms and collaborate across disciplines. This role is hybrid or remote, emphasizing innovations in infectious disease diagnostics and genomics. Candidates with a Ph.D. and experience in bioinformatics are preferred. Join a team driving advancements in patient care and biomarker discovery.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of industry experience with Ph.D. or 5+ years with Masters in a related field.
• Demonstrated track record of developing quantitative models.
• Experience in diagnostics highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement novel computational methods.
• Collaborate with various teams to understand data properties.
• Drive data interpretation and contribute to scientific publications.

Skills

Computational biology

Statistical analysis

Machine learning

Probabilistic models

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. or Masters in relevant fields

Tools

NGS/bioinformatics tools

Job description

Overview

Senior Computational Biologist role at Karius. Location: Redwood City, CA (Hybrid) or Remote (USA). Reports to: Director, Computational Biology.

About Karius
Karius is a venture-backed life sciences startup transforming how pathogens and microbes are observed through cell-free DNA, accelerating biomarker discovery, clinical trials, and patient care.

Position Summary

You are curious, creative, and driven to make a meaningful impact on patients. As a key member of the Computational Biology team, you will develop and improve algorithms that maximize the value of our data. You will operate at the cutting edge of computational biology, collaborating across disciplines to solve complex problems and innovate where existing solutions fall short.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, validate and improve novel computational methods and algorithms to extract actionable insights from high-dimensional biological data.
• Implement and optimize computational pipelines for analyzing complex, high-dimensional NGS and other biological datasets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Assay Development, Analytics, Research, Engineering, Molecular Biology, and Medical Affairs to understand data properties, clinical context, and opportunities for improvement.
• Drive data interpretation and biological contextualization of findings, contributing to publications, presentations and regulatory submissions.
• Stay current on emerging trends in computational biology, metagenomics, statistics, and software engineering, and apply relevant advances to enhance analytical capabilities and scientific rigor.
• Explore diverse approaches to modeling and problem-solving across quantitative disciplines.
• Share a passion for ensuring the quality of our computational methods.

Position Requirements

• Ph.D. or Masters in computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, or a related field, preferably with a focus on computational biology.
• Biotech/pharma or relevant industry experience: 2+ years (PhD) or 5+ years (Masters).
• Demonstrated track record of developing novel quantitative models for biological data, as shown through publications.
• Experience with probabilistic models (e.g., Dirichlet processes).
• Expertise with NGS/bioinformatics, statistics, and machine learning tools for high-dimensional data analysis.
• Experience in diagnostics is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to thrive in cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable in a small, agile team with responsibilities spanning research and development.

Personal Qualifications

• Passionate, purpose-driven with a deep connection to Karius’ mission.
• Hybrid research-development flexibility, detail-oriented and organized.
• Desire to grow and help others grow within a collaborative, learning-focused team.
• Strong scientific curiosity and drive to solve complex biological problems through data.
• Adaptable and resilient in ambiguity and evolving priorities.
• Commitment to scientific integrity, transparency, and rigor.
• Excellent communicator who translates technical insights into actionable biological understanding.

What’s Fun About the Job?

Work on novel scientific problems at the frontier of infectious disease diagnostics, applying advanced technologies to transform patient care and accelerate discovery.

Travel & Physical Requirements

• Travel to HQ once per quarter for team events, if remote.
• Extended periods of sitting/standing; office environment typical.

Disclaimer

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work and is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may change to meet company needs. The description is subject to change at any time at Karius.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Karius is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity/expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. If you require accommodations, please contact [e-mail].