Translational Scientist, Applied Machine Learning and Agentic AI, Pharma R&D

Tempus AI, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Tempus AI, Inc. is seeking a Translational Scientist to advance agentic AI and multimodal modeling for oncology discovery.

You’ll build deep agents enabling long-horizon planning, tool use, and co‑scientist reasoning, combining omics and clinical data into predictive frameworks. You will work with pharma partners, data science, and clinical teams to design high‑value use cases such as trial design support and treatment optimization, while ensuring robust software practices and clear scientific

Qualifications

• Education and experience: PhD or Masters with 3+ years in AI/ML and related fields.
• Technical/Scientific Skills: Agentic frameworks, LLM applications, prompt engineering, RAG, and scalable system design.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex results to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Agentic AI: develop state‑of‑the‑art agentic workflows with long‑horizon planning and tool use.
• Multimodal Modeling: integrate DNA, RNA, H&E and clinical data into predictive models.
• Scientific Innovation: collaborate to define high‑value use cases like clinical trial design support.

Skills

Agentic AI workflows

LLM orchestration

Multimodal ML modeling

Causal inference

Communication skills

Education

PhD (or Masters with 3+ years)

Tools

Python

LangGraph

Job description

Translational Scientist, Applied Machine Learning and Agentic AI, Pharma R&D

Location: New York, NY

The Translational Scientist, Applied Machine Learning and Agentic AI will contribute to the technical development of cutting‑edge agentic frameworks designed to automate the discovery of novel prognostic and predictive models in oncology. This role sits at the intersection of advanced Large Language Model (LLM) orchestration and computational biology. You will be responsible for building and refining "deep agents" capable of hypothesis generation, experimental design, and multimodal ML modeling utilizing foundation models. In this role, you will be a key technical contributor, working closely with senior scientists and engineers to implement system designs and ensure code quality. You will apply advanced scientific methodologies to develop new predictive models and utilize causal inference frameworks to analyze vast multimodal oncology data, helping to scale scientific discovery from a manual process to a high‑throughput, automated engine.

Data Expertise

Tempus has one of the largest multimodal patient datasets ever collected, providing a unique opportunity to work with extensive and diverse data. Become an expert in Tempus’ vast epidemiological, clinical, genomic, transcriptomic and pathology imaging data, along with the latest tools and techniques for their analysis and modeling.

Teamwork and collaboration

Work with Research, Engineering & Data Science teams across Tempus’ expansive data science community to develop and deliver innovative computational solutions. Co‑develop solutions with Pharma partner science and clinical teams.

Drug R&D Expertise

Work with leading pharmaceutical companies. Gain proficiency in their strategies, drug modalities, and pipelines to identify where the Tempus platform can add value.

Scientific Communication

Skillfully navigate client interactions to extract and communicate the most impactful insights driving new R&D opportunities; effectively communicate complex technical results and methodologies to diverse external stakeholders.

Personal development

Continuously immerse yourself in the latest industry trends, best practices, and advancements in machine learning and AI to revolutionize drug R&D.

Responsibilities

• Agentic AI: Develop complex, state‑of-the‑art agentic workflows. Build agents capable of long‑horizon planning, tool use and "co‑scientist" reasoning.
• Multimodal Modeling: Leverage oncology foundation models to integrate DNA, RNA, H&E, and clinical data into predictive algorithms.
• Scientific Innovation: Collaborate with clinical scientists and pharma partners to define high‑value use cases, such as clinical trial design support and treatment de‑escalation.

Qualifications

Education and experience: Minimum: PhD (or Masters degree with 3+ years of relevant experience). Combining: Quantitative and computational skills, specifically in AI agent based workflows (e.g. Applied Machine Learning, Generative AI, Mathematics, biostatistics). Biological, medical, or drug development knowledge and data (e.g. oncology, RWE, medical science, or clinical drug development).

Technical/Scientific Skills: Agentic Frameworks: Proficiency in Python and orchestration frameworks, specifically LangGraph (strongly preferred) or similar. Experience building deep agents with complex state management and graphs. LLM Application: Deep knowledge of prompt engineering, RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), function calling, and evaluating non-deterministic LLM outputs. Machine Learning: Strong foundation in survival analysis (CoxPH, RSF) and evaluation metrics for oncology models. Software Engineering: Adherence to software best practices (unit testing, git) and experience designing scalable systems. Experience working with clinical trial or real‑world data, clinical guidelines (e.g., NCCN for oncology) and emerging RWE methodologies. Track record of success: proven in peer reviewed publications or other proven impact.

Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences. Motivated: Thrive in a fast‑paced environment and willing to shift priorities seamlessly.

Preferred Skillsets/Background Experience in integrative modeling of multi‑modal clinical and omics data, preferably with multimodal embeddings and foundation models. Strong understanding of data and artificial intelligence in Oncology. Understanding of cancer biology and clinical data. Experience with deploying ML models in cloud environments.

Salary and Benefits

CHI: $100,000-$150,000 NYC/SF: $120,000-$160,000 The expected salary range above is applicable if the role is performed from California and may vary for other locations (Colorado, Illinois, New York). Actual salary may vary based on qualifications and experience.

Tempus offers a full range of benefits, which may include incentive compensation, restricted stock units, medical and other benefits depending on the position. Additionally, for remote roles open to individuals in unincorporated Los Angeles – including remote roles- Tempus reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment: engaging positively with customers and other employees; accessing confidential information, including intellectual property, trade secrets, and protected health information; and appropriately handling such information in accordance with legal and ethical standards. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Tempus was founded in August of 2015 by Eric Lefkofsky, after his wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Shortly after he founded the company in an effort to bring the power of technology and artificial intelligence to cancer care, he convinced Ryan Fukushima to join as the company’s first employee. Ryan and Eric began assembling a world class team, focused on building the first version of a platform capable of ingesting real time healthcare data in an effort to personalize diagnostics. We built the platform for oncology and have expanded it to neuropsychiatry, cardiology, infectious disease (through COVID), and radiology. Despite our rapid growth, our mission remains the same—to help make sure patients are on the right drug at the right time, so they can live longer and healthier lives. We’re looking for people who can change the world. Who question the status quo and don’t shy away from tough problems. For the builders who are never done building and the learners who are never done learning. We’re looking for passionate people with undying curiosity. Those who want to attack one of the most challenging problems mankind has ever faced. Head on.