Associate Director, Lab Automation & Intelligent Orchestration

We are seeking a strategic, hands-on leader to build the next generation of AI-native automation platforms within Discovery Technologies and Molecular Pharmacology that leverage intelligent orchestration, and advanced analytics to scale human-relevant biology and multimodal omics data generation. The Associate Director will establish lab-in-the-loop capabilities that generate high-quality biological data at scale, accelerate learning cycles, and enable predictive AI-driven drug discovery. The successful candidate will bring expertise in laboratory automation, AI-driven orchestration, and systems integration, coupled with a strong understanding of drug discovery, complex cellular models, and omics technologies. They will drive strategic roadmaps, lead cross-functional initiatives, and deploy scalable experimental platforms that increase speed, enhance reproducibility, and unlock new opportunities for AI-enabled discovery.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Automation Platform Strategy

• Drive strategic roadmaps and investment priorities for AI-native experimental platforms that enable scalable experimentation, multimodal data generation, and AI-driven discovery
• Lead the evaluation, adoption, and scaling of transformative technologies, including robotics, autonomous experimentation, agentic AI, and intelligent orchestration, to accelerate learning cycles and discovery outcomes.

Scale Human-Relevant Biology & AI-Driven Learning

• Design, deploy, and scale automated platforms supporting human-relevant models, multimodal data generation, and advanced omics workflows
• Build lab-in-the-loop capabilities integrating automation, AI/ML models, analytics, and intelligent orchestration to accelerate experimentation, learning cycles, and predictive modeling

Strategic Partnership & Scientific Leadership

• Lead cross-functional initiatives across biology, data science, AI/ML, informatics, engineering, and discovery organizations to align platform development with scientific priorities and accelerate AI-enabled discovery
• Build strategic partnerships with technology providers, automation vendors, academic collaborators, and contract research organizations (CROs) while serving as a thought leader driving adoption of next-generation capabilities across the organization

People Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of automation engineers, scientists, and technical specialists while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Strengthen organizational capabilities in automation, AI, and experimental science through talent development, coaching, and a culture that promotes innovation, learning, and scientific excellence

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent experience in Engineering, Bioengineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Biology, or a related discipline
• At least 6 years of relevant experience developing and scaling laboratory automation, experimental platforms, or advanced technology solutions within drug discovery
• Strong understanding of drug discovery workflows, complex human-relevant biological models, and multimodal data generation approaches, including omics technologies
• Deep expertise in laboratory automation, robotics, instrument integration, and workflow engineering, with experience designing and scaling complex experimental platforms
• Experience building automated workflows that integrate experimentation, data generation, analytics, and digital systems
• Knowledge of AI-ready data architectures, metadata frameworks, and multimodal data integration strategies
• Demonstrated success translating emerging technologies into scalable research platforms and leading technical teams in a highly matrixed organization

Preferred Experience

• Experience implementing lab-in-the-loop experimentation, AI-enabled workflows, agentic AI, intelligent orchestration, and autonomous experimentation
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across biology, engineering, data science, informatics, and technology
• Proven ability to translate emerging technologies into scalable scientific capabilities and business impact
• Experience with AI/ML-enabled experimental workflows, agentic AI systems, workflow orchestration, or scientific computing platforms

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic thinker with a science-to-impact mindset, capable of translating emerging technologies into scalable discovery capabilities and communicating effectively with both technical and executive audiences
• Innovative, self-motivated leader with strong collaboration, prioritization, and problem-solving skills who thrives in fast-paced, highly matrixed environments
• Proven ability to lead through influence, drive organizational change, and build productive partnerships across internal teams, external collaborators, vendors, and technology providers