Director, Center for Data-Driven Discovery

The mission of the Allen Institute is to understand the principles that govern life, and to advance health. Our creative and multi-dimensional teams focus on answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience. We accelerate foundational research, catalyze bold ideas, develop tools and models, and openly share our science to make a broad, transformational impact on the world.

The Allen Institute is searching for a visionary leader to direct its new Center for Data-Driven Discovery, Studio D3. Studio D3 develops and applies cutting-edge theoretical models, analytical frameworks, and scalable computational methods to extract principles that govern biology from multimodal biological data. The Allen Institute has collected and openly shared some of the largest datasets in life sciences. By integrating computation, data science, and quantitative modeling into the research ecosystem, Studio D3 helps drive discovery across diverse biological disciplines.

The Director of Studio D3 will lead an interdisciplinary team of investigators, scientists, and engineers to develop and apply next-generation computational approaches that transform our understanding of biological systems. The ideal candidate will spearhead efforts to create novel methods for representing, analyzing, and interpreting large-scale biological data, strengthening the Allen Institute’s position as a leader in data-driven bioscience.

The Director will report to the CTO and work closely with the CEO and other Scientific Leaders at the Institute to advance understanding in brain science, immunology and cell biology. This individual will oversee Studio D3 scientific goals, manage ongoing projects, and initiate new research programs while fostering partnerships across the Institute and with external collaborators. A key focus will be on mentoring and growing teams, cultivating a strong collaborative culture, and ensuring that Studio D3 innovations have broad and lasting impact on the field. They will benefit from working closely with other efforts in the office of the CTO such as AI/ML foundational models, engineering, and computational infrastructure.

The Director will develop and implement a vision to drive transformative discoveries by bridging computation and biology, directly advancing the Allen Institute’s mission of unlocking the complexity of biology and advancing human health.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement a scientific strategy for Studio D3 that balances exploratory research with high-impact, goal-driven projects aligned with the Allen Institute’s mission
• Maintain an active research program that translates computational discoveries into actionable insights that inform broader scientific understanding
• Manage an interdisciplinary team of investigators, scientists, and engineers to deliver on the Studio D3 mission
• Build strategic collaborations with academic, industry, and funding partners to expand resources, expertise, and opportunities for the Center
• Mentor and guide junior researchers, interns, or students working on AI/ML projects related to biological research
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity and encourages participation from team members with different voices, experiences, and backgrounds
• Collaborate with teams of scientists, computational biologists, and software engineers across the Allen Institute and external partners
• Work closely with leadership to identify and scope priority questions and projects that align with the (studio) Center’s Principles

Additional Functions

• Identify training needs and foster the professional development of staff, particularly in bridging the gap between computational and biological expertise
• Assist in the recruitment of new staff, ensuring a blend of skills necessary for the center's projects
• Lead efforts in communicating the center’s findings to the broader scientific community, stakeholders, and the public
• Work with diverse biological datatypes, including multi-omics data, microscopy data, in vivo and behavioral imaging data, electrophysiological data, and clinical data
• Promote open science through publishing papers and open-source code. Help to establish community standards for scalability in developing, disseminating, and evaluating AI/ML/computational methods for scientific problems
• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in AI/ML and their potential applications in biological research, ensuring the Allen Institute remains at the forefront of this field

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• PhD in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Biology, Physics, or similar field
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of scientists at various career stages and provide mentorship
• Demonstrated strong track record of excellence in research

Preferred Education and Experience

• Preferred 10+ years of experience in Computational Biology
• Strong publication record of innovative scientific accomplishments (both individual and team)
• Ability to work collaboratively across diverse fields including computer science, computational biology, and clinical medicine
• In-depth understanding of software engineering best practices and expertise in open software-based coding
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally with research and operational teams
• Experience in mentoring and career development
• In-depth understanding of the computational biology landscape, including emerging technologies and methodologies
• Strong networking skills, particularly in the academic and computational biology communities
• Knowledge of data preprocessing, normalization, and integration techniques specific to biological and clinical datasets
• Familiarity with bioinformatics databases, tools, and workflows for analyzing and interpreting biological data
• Experience with data visualization and presentation of complex biological findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop innovative computational approaches to address complex biological questions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Commitment to open science principles, including publishing papers, sharing code, and contributing to the establishment of community standards for scalable AI/ML methods in scientific research
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with the flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Travel

• Attendance and participation in national and international conferences

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity offers work visa sponsorship**

Annualized Salary Range

$236,350 - $320,200

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.