(Senior) Director, Translational Medicine and Diagnostics
Insitro
| Company | Insitro |
| Category | Science & Research |
| Location | South San Francisco |
| Remote | On-site (inferred) |
| Employment | Full-time |
| Level | Senior |
| Salary | Not stated by the employer |
| Posted | 29 Jul 2026 |
| Last verified | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Source | Employer ATS (ashby) |
Description
THE OPPORTUNITY
The unprecedented convergence of multi-modal data, advanced disease modeling, and computational power is revolutionizing drug discovery. insitro is harnessing this moment to redefine how medicines are developed for complex diseases. Our AI/ML-enabled platforms integrate and scale data to rapidly discover novel biological insights, identify new targets and drugs, and redefine complex diseases. To enable this vision, we are seeking a Director (or Senior Director) of Translational Medicine and Diagnostics.
This role is an opportunity to directly improve patients' lives by leading translational medicine across our three therapeutic areas — neurology/neurodegeneration, metabolism/cardiovascular, and ophthalmology — and by making clinical trials more efficient and beneficial for patients and drug developers through AI/ML and innovative translational strategies.
Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, you will lead the translational medicine function at insitro, supporting the development of multiple therapeutics — biologics, oligonucleotides, and small molecules — along with multimodal biomarkers and diagnostics. This position can be onsite (three days per week) or hybrid (~one week per month) in our South San Francisco office, with additional travel to relevant medical and translational science conferences and health authorities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Translational Strategy & Leadership
- Build the Function: Build and lead insitro's translational medicine function, from IND/CTA through clinical proof-of-concept, across biologics, oligonucleotides, and small molecules
- Lead Key Assets: Serve as translational lead for advanced pre-clinical and initial clinical-stage assets
- Own End-to-End Strategy: Be accountable for translational medicine strategy, GCP adherence, and regulatory-authority interactions, including biospecimen CRO selection and oversight
Biomarker Science & Patient Stratification
- Design Stratification Strategies: Design innovative approaches to patient stratification using laboratory and digital biomarkers
- Generate Proof-of-Mechanism Evidence: Generate proof-of-mechanism evidence that drives objective, data-driven, and timely go/no-go decisions
Regulatory Strategy, Partnership & Influence
- Interpret Regulatory Requirements: Interpret regulatory translational medicine requirements and quantify the return on investment of translational strategies
- Partner Across Functions: Collaborate closely with preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and computational teams
- Shape the Field: Influence emerging AI/ML policy in translational science through original publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement
ABOUT YOU
Experience & Qualifications
- Advanced Degree: Advanced degree in life sciences, technology, chemistry, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
- Proven Tenure: 10+ years of experience in translational science in biotech and/or pharma, including direct experience as a translational lead delivering therapeutics and diagnostic biomarkers from FIH through proof-of-concept to NDA/BLA submission
- AI/ML Exposure: Experience applying AI/ML approaches to drug discovery and development
- Technical Breadth: Deep understanding of diagnostic and device regulations, good clinical practice, clinical trial design and execution, clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, and the application of computation to drug development
Core Competencies
- Cross-Functional Collaborator: Track record of communicating and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders across clinical, translational, computational, and life sciences functions
- Motivating Leader: Strong interpersonal skills that inspire others to do their best work
- Patient-Driven: Genuine passion for bringing better medicines to patients in need
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS AT INSITRO
Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $224,00