Vice President - Data Science

Caris Life Sciences; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Caris Life Sciences seeks a Vice President of Data Science in Phoenix, AZ, to lead AI-driven clinical insights and scalable molecular signatures. You will guide a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, computational biologists, and translational researchers, partnering with executive leadership to translate discoveries into clinically useful reporting.

The role requires a PhD, 10+ years in ML and biomedical data, and a proven track record in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• PhD in Data Science, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience building and implementing ML models for complex problems.
• Expert proficiency in Python and SQL; strong data analysis skills.
• Experience with multi-omic datasets and regulated clinical environments.

Responsibilities

• Define strategy for AI-driven clinical insights and molecular signature development.
• Lead development of AI signatures integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and outcomes data.
• Oversee governance, validation, documentation, and lifecycle management of models.
• Collaborate with Regulatory and Clinical teams to ensure evidence generation.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine learning

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

MS Office

Regulatory awareness

Education

PhD in Data Science, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering

Tools

pandas

NumPy

Job description

At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives. We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting‑edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: "What would I do if this patient were my mom?" That question drives everything we do. But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose. Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Data Science provides senior leadership for Caris’ AI‑driven clinical insights and predictive modeling initiatives. This role leads the development of novel AI signatures leveraging Caris’ large‑scale clinico‑genomic database to identify molecular characteristics of disease that are prognostic of patient outcomes or predictive of response to therapy. The Vice President oversees a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, computational biologists, and translational researchers responsible for identifying clinically meaningful questions, developing and validating AI‑based molecular signatures, and translating discoveries into scalable clinical reporting capabilities. Partnering with Executive Leadership, R&D, Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Bioinformatics, Regulatory Affairs, and Commercial teams, this role ensures delivery of scientifically rigorous, clinically meaningful, and operationally scalable AI innovations that advance precision medicine.

Job Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategy for AI‑driven clinical insight and molecular signature development across Caris’ molecular profiling platforms.
• Identify clinically relevant questions where advanced analytics can deliver prognostic or predictive insights.
• Oversee development of AI signatures integrating genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and clinical outcomes data.
• Establish governance and standards for model development, validation, documentation, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with Regulatory and Clinical Development teams to ensure appropriate validation and evidence generation.
• Lead implementation of AI products within a regulated CAP/CLIA clinical environment.
• Oversee engineering and production deployment of AI pipelines within Caris’ clinical reporting infrastructure.
• Ensure scalable, reproducible, auditable computational pipelines and canonical data models.
• Lead development of clinically interpretable reporting frameworks for physicians.
• Partner with Product and Commercial teams to integrate AI insights into clinical reports and decision‑support tools.
• Build, mentor, and lead high‑performing teams of data scientists and computational biologists.
• Set organizational goals, budgets, roadmaps, OKRs, and performance metrics aligned with corporate priorities.
• Champion a culture of scientific rigor, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Data Science, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience building and implementing supervised and unsupervised machine learning models for complex problem solving.
• Expert proficiency in Python (pandas, NumPy, statistical and ML libraries) and SQL.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and large‑scale biomedical data analysis.
• Experience working with multi‑omic datasets including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
• Experience leveraging large clinical datasets for biomarker discovery, predictive modeling, or outcomes research.
• Working knowledge of regulatory considerations for algorithm development in clinical diagnostics environments.
• Demonstrated people leadership and direct management experience with accountability for large‑scale outcomes.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• This is an onsite role based at our Phoenix, AZ office and requires regular in‑person presence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in regulated clinical laboratory environments (CAP/CLIA).
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms and large‑scale data infrastructures.
• Experience translating advanced analytics into physician‑facing clinical products.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Training

• All job‑specific, safety, and compliance training assigned based on job responsibilities.

Other

• May require occasional after‑hours work to meet deadlines.
• May require occasional travel.

Conditions of Employment

Individual must successfully complete pre‑employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check (applicable for certain positions) and reference verification. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.