Vice President - Early Detection Informatics

Caris Life Sciences; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Caris Life Sciences seeks a senior leader to drive early cancer detection informatics, overseeing production bioinformatics pipelines, data integrity, and regulatory compliance. You will define data models, orchestrate workflows, and mentor a high-performing team to translate multi-omic data into clinically actionable insights.

The role emphasizes scalable cloud-based strategies, governance, and collaboration with executive and clinical teams, with on-site work in Phoenix, AZ.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a STEM field with extensive data science or bioinformatics experience.
• 10+ years building/operating production-grade analytics or bioinformatics in diagnostics, medical devices, pharma, or high-throughput labs.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, ETL/ELT, orchestration, APIs, and scalable workflows.
• Experience with bioinformatics pipelines and NGS platforms (Illumina).
• Regulated environments knowledge: GxP, CLIA, CAP, FDA quality systems.
• Leadership experience managing technical teams for cross-functional delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight for design, reliability, and scalability of bioinformatics pipelines across sequencing platforms and clinical data sources.
• Oversee development, orchestration, and production deployment of bioinformatics workflows for early detection assays.
• Establish canonical data models, metrics, dataset versioning, and change control across R&D, validation, and production environments.
• Ensure data integrity, auditability, traceability, and compliance with GxP and regulatory expectations.
• Define cloud-based or hybrid compute strategies enabling high-throughput analysis and model retraining.
• Own SLAs, uptime targets, monitoring, alerting, and turnaround time for production pipelines.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing informatics team; set OKRs, budgets, roadmaps.
• Establish governance models and stakeholder engagement frameworks; foster scientific rigor and continuous improvement.

Skills

Python

SQL

ETL/ELT

Orchestration

APIs

Scalable workflows

Bioinformatics

Next-generation sequencing

Education

PhD in Data Science / Bioinformatics / Biostatistics / CS / Biomedical Engineering

Tools

AWS SageMaker

S3

Athena

DRAGEN

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 SummaryThe Vice President, Early Detection Informatics provides senior leadership for Caris’ early cancer detection data science and bioinformatics initiatives supporting blood-based, multi-analyte diagnostic technologies. This role oversees the production informatics environment, bioinformatics pipeline orchestration, maintenance, support, and advanced analytics while owning the strategy and execution for scalable, production-grade computational systems.Partnering closely with Executive Leadership, Research & Development, Clinical Development, Laboratory Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Commercial teams, this position ensures early detection informatics infrastructure is scientifically rigorous, scalable, reproducible, and aligned with long-term corporate, clinical, and regulatory strategy. The role sets vision, standards, and governance for transforming multi-omic data into clinically actionable early detection insights and differentiated diagnostic performance.Job ResponsibilitiesProvide executive oversight for the design, implementation, reliability, and scalability of bioinformatics and data engineering pipelines integrating sequencing platforms, laboratory systems, and clinical data sources.Oversee development, orchestration, and production deployment of bioinformatics workflows supporting early detection assays.Establish and enforce canonical data models, metric definitions, dataset versioning, and change control across research, validation, and production environments.Ensure data integrity, auditability, traceability, and compliance with GxP and regulatory expectations.Define and implement cloud-based or hybrid compute strategies enabling high-throughput analysis, reproducible execution, and model retraining.Own SLAs, uptime targets, monitoring frameworks, alerting, and assay turnaround time for production pipelines supporting clinical reporting.Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing informatics and bioinformatics team.Set departmental goals, OKRs, budgets, roadmaps, and operating cadence aligned to corporate and regulatory priorities.Establish governance models, performance metrics, and stakeholder engagement frameworks.Champion a culture of scientific rigor, accountability, transparency, data integrity, and continuous improvement.Required QualificationsPhD in Data Science, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.10 or more years of experience building and operating production-grade analytics or bioinformatics solutions in diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or high-throughput laboratory environments.Expert-level proficiency in Python, SQL, and data engineering fundamentals including ETL/ELT, orchestration, APIs, and scalable workflows.Extensive experience with bioinformatics pipelines and next-generation sequencing platforms, including Illumina technologies.Demonstrated experience operating informatics systems in regulated environments with strong understanding of GxP, CLIA, CAP, and FDA quality systems.Proven leadership experience managing and developing technical teams with accountability for large-scale, cross-functional project delivery.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 QualificationsExperience with DRAGEN workflows and advanced sequencing analytics.Advanced experience with AWS platforms including SageMaker, S3, Athena; familiarity with AWS HealthOmics preferred.Experience integrating data from LIMS, instruments, MES/LES, and environmental monitoring systems.Working knowledge of ISO 13485, 21 CFR 820, MDSAP, and IVDR requirements as they relate to data and documentation.Experience with enterprise dashboarding, data modeling, governance, performance optimization, and advanced analytics.Physical DemandsAbility to sit or stand for extended periods of time.Ability to work at a computer for prolonged durations to perform data analysis and review.TrainingAll job-specific, safety, and compliance training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee.OtherThis position may require occasional after-hours work to meet deadlines and ensure timely delivery of patient data.Limited travel may be required based on business needs.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.