Senior Data Scientist, CompBio

Praxy; South San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 183,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus plan

Equity incentive plan

Health insurance

Parental leave – 16 weeks

Books and online courses budget

Home office stipend

Cell phone & internet stipend

Free onsite lunch

Job summary

insitro is seeking a computational biologist in South San Francisco to lead multimodal analyses and target discovery for drug development. You will work with life scientists, data scientists, and ML engineers to translate omics or imaging data into therapeutic hypotheses.

The role emphasizes statistical rigor, experimental design guidance, and clear communication of findings; this is a hands-on position requiring PhD and 3+ years postgrad, with an in-person hybrid schedule three days per week.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in computational biology, systems biology, bioengineering, computer science, machine learning, or related field with 3+ years post-graduation.
• Hands-on experience with diverse data modalities, including at least one of: single-cell RNA-seq, fluorescence microscopy, spatial proteomics or transcriptomics, or label-free microscopy.
• Strong statistical modeling and data analysis with ability to interpret complex datasets.
• Understanding of molecular biology or disease biology (neurological, cardiovascular, or metabolic disorders).
• Proficiency with Python scientific packages such as NumPy and pandas.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize multimodal insights from microscopy, spatial proteomics, bulk/single-cell RNA-seq, and human data to identify disease mechanisms and therapeutic hypotheses.
• Identify potential therapeutic targets from perturbation screens in disease-relevant models.
• Discover and validate biomarkers for monitoring disease status and progression.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to design, troubleshoot, and optimize experiments.
• Provide statistical and computational guidance to assay development and interpretation.

Skills

Python

NumPy/Pandas

Statistics

Single-cell RNA-seq

Imaging data

Education

Ph.D. in computational biology

Job description

State-of-the-art technologies that measure multiple cellular aspects of in vitro biology are at the heart of insitro's efforts to accelerate drug development. Computational biology is key to elucidating the relationship between these phenotypes and human disease and translating them into actionable outcomes.

We are looking for a computational biologist with expertise across diverse data modalities, including deep experience in either omics or imaging readouts, a strong understanding of cell and disease biology, and fluency with state-of-the-art analysis techniques. Your expertise will help the team navigate the complexities of identifying therapeutic targets from diverse data, elucidating biological mechanisms, and championing a culture of statistical rigor and experimental design to ensure our analyses meet the highest scientific standards.

In this role, you will directly impact target prioritization and drug development efforts, advance our understanding of diseases, and aid the development of new treatments. You will be part of a cross-functional team of life scientists, data scientists, bioengineers, software engineers, and machine learning scientists who strive to identify therapeutic targets and develop drugs of high efficacy and low toxicity. Based in South San Francisco, this position reports directly to the Head of Computational Biology and ML-Omics and offers an in-person hybrid schedule of three days per week.

You will be joining a vibrant biotech startup with many opportunities for significant impact. You will work closely with a highly talented team, learn a broad range of skills, and help shape insitro's culture, strategic direction, and outcomes. Join us, and help make a difference to patients!

RESPONSIBILITIES

Multimodal Analysis & Target Discovery

• Synthesize Multimodal Insights: Draw insights from multimodal analyses (microscopy, spatial proteomics, bulk/single-cell RNA-seq, human cohort data) to uncover disease mechanisms and generate therapeutic hypotheses
• Identify Therapeutic Targets: Analyze diverse data from disease-relevant in vitro models to identify potential therapeutic targets from perturbation screens
• Discover Biomarkers: Analyze data from diverse sources to identify and validate potential biomarkers for monitoring disease status and progression
• Partner on Experimental Design: Work with experimental biologists to design, troubleshoot, and optimize experiments that generate and validate mechanistic and therapeutic hypotheses
• Provide Domain Expertise: Bring statistical and computational expertise to guide assay development and the biological interpretation of results

Analytical Rigor & Communication

• Benchmark and Calibrate: Calibrate analysis tools and workflows, define performance metrics, and conduct benchmarking to select fit-for-purpose solutions
• Communicate Findings: Share results with cross-functional stakeholders through reports, visualizations, presentations, and publications

ABOUT YOU

Experience & Qualifications

• Education & Tenure: Ph.D. in computational biology, systems biology, bioengineering, computer science, machine learning, or a related discipline, with 3+ years of working experience post-graduation
• Data Modality Depth: Hands-on experience with diverse data modalities, including at least one of the following: single-cell RNA-seq, fluorescence microscopy, spatial proteomics or transcriptomics, or label-free microscopy
• Statistical Foundation: Deep understanding of statistical modeling and data analysis, with a demonstrated ability to rigorously interpret complex datasets and generate mechanistic hypotheses
• Biological Grounding: An understanding of molecular biology or disease biology (e.g., neurological, cardiovascular, or metabolic disorders)
• Programming Skills: Strong programming ability and proficiency with Python scientific packages such as NumPy and pandas
• Publication Record: Meaningful contributions to high-quality work published in relevant computational biology, systems biology, life sciences, or biomedical venues

Core Competencies

• Collaborative Communicator: You communicate effectively and collaborate well with people of diverse backgrounds and job functions
• Engineering Discipline: You write well-commented code and documentation and are familiar with coding best practices such as version control and code review

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS AT INSITRO

This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Performance Bonus Plan (based on company targets by role level and annual company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies.

• 401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as mental health and well-being support
• Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)
• Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
• New hire stipend for home office setup
• Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
• Access to free onsite baristas and daily lunch for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
• Access to a free commuter bus network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area

insitro is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams-grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences-and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.

#LI-Hybrid

About insitro

insitro is a drug discovery and development company using machine learning (ML) and data at scale to decode biology for transformative medicines. At the core of insitro's approach is the convergence of in-house generated multi-modal cellular data and high-content phenotypic human cohort data. We rely on these data to develop ML-driven, predictive disease models that uncover underlying biologic state and elucidate critical drivers of disease. These powerful models rely on extensive biological and computational infrastructure and allow insitro to advance novel targets and patient biomarkers, design therapeutics and inform clinical strategy. insitro is advancing a wholly owned and partnered pipeline of insights and therapeutics in neuroscience and metabolism. Since launching in 2018, insitro has raised over $700 million from top tech, biotech and crossover investors, and from collaborations with pharmaceutical partners. For more information on insitro, please visit www.insitro.com http://www.insitro.com.

Pay

salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $183,000 - $194,000