[Hiring] Director / Principal Investigator, AI and Genomics @23andMe

Role Description

We are seeking a Director-level Principal Investigator to establish and lead our AI innovation efforts, building population-scale foundation models on a data substrate that exists nowhere else.

You will set and own the scientific vision for AI at the 23andMe Research Institute, and be accountable for translating it into research output and external funding. You will build and lead a research group of your own, beginning with two founding scientists recruited under your direction, and grow it in step with the funding you secure.

Your research agenda will span three complementary areas:

• Health-risk prediction: Developing foundation models that forecast individual health outcomes from genetic and longitudinal data.
• Variant-effect prediction: Interpreting the functional and clinical consequences of genetic variants.
• Product line preparation based on whole-genome sequencing.

You will represent the Institute's AI work externally and raise grant, philanthropic, and industry funding to support the group's expansion. We expect and encourage publication at top-tier venues and the open release of methods and models where appropriate.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Computational Biology, Statistical Genetics, or a related field.
• At least ten years of experience post-PhD.
• Strong record of accomplishment through academic publications at leading venues or equivalent industry achievement.
• Deep expertise in modern deep learning architectures, including transformers and large language models.
• Experience with genomic or biomedical data is strongly preferred.
• Strong programming skills in Python and a modern deep learning framework.

Requirements

• Proven ability to build, mentor, train, and develop teams of scientists.
• Demonstrated success securing external research funding through grants, philanthropy, or industry partnerships.
• Ability to work with senior scientific leadership to represent the Institute at scientific, business, and other professional meetings.
• Ability to lead directly and by influence, including strong problem solving, conflict resolution, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

• Location-agnostic role, considering candidates across the United States.
• Remote or non-Bay-Area arrangements are expected and welcome.

Pay Transparency

23andMe takes a market-based approach to pay, and amounts will vary depending on your geographic location. The salary range reflected here is for a candidate based in the Salt Lake City Area. The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions.

• Salt Lake City, UT Base Pay Range: $250,000 - $290,000