PhD in protein sciences, chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical biology, or related field with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
Deep expertise in executing DEL strategies for challenging protein targets.
Strong understanding of DEL processes from library design to chemistry-start planning.
Proven track record of using DEL data to advance medicinal chemistry programs.
Solid grounding in protein sciences, organic chemistry, and cheminformatics.
Current knowledge of emerging DEL technologies and their applications.
Experience collaborating across AI/ML, data science, and chemistry to derive insights from DEL data.
Responsibilities
Set the strategic roadmap for DEL as a primary discovery approach.
Lead and develop a team of 4 to 5 scientists in DEL informatics and chemistry.
Define DEL deployment strategy, including target tractability and selection design.
Translate DEL outputs into actionable chemistry starts through various analyses.
Collaborate with multiple scientific disciplines to validate DEL-derived hits.
Build scalable DEL data workflows for high-quality datasets.
Scout and apply emerging DEL technologies to enhance discovery efforts.
Benefits
Healthcare coverage
Annual incentive program
Retirement benefits
Broad range of other benefits
Full Job Description
The Role
Valo is seeking a Head of DEL, encompassing discovery strategy and selections, DEL chemistry and informatics to advance DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology as a core engine for initiating chemistry efforts across the portfolio. This leader will set the strategy for how DEL is deployed from target assessment and selection design through hit identification, off-DNA validation, and chemistry-start decisions. The role will lead a team DEL team and partner medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, biology, protein sciences, and data science to turn DEL outputs into high-quality, model-ready data and chemically tractable starting points for the Opal Computational Platform™.
What You'll Do...
Set the strategic roadmap for using DEL as a first-line discovery approach to initiate chemistry campaigns across Valo's portfolio
Lead and develop a team of 4 to 5 scientists spanning DEL informatics, on-DNA chemistry, analysis, and discovery strategy
Define DEL deployment strategy, including target tractability, library fit, selection design, controls, counterscreens, and project-start decision criteria
Translate DEL selection outputs into actionable chemistry starts through enrichment analysis, hit-family triage, SAR hypotheses, off-DNA validation, and analog prioritization
Partner with medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, biology, protein sciences, in vitro pharmacology and data science to advance DEL-derived hits into validated, chemically tractable series
Lead a team to build scalable DEL data workflows that generate high-quality, reusable, model-ready datasets for Opal and AI/ML-driven discovery
Scout, evaluate, and apply emerging DEL technologies, including next-generation library design, DNA-compatible chemistry, advanced selection methods, sequencing analytics, and ML-guided interpretation
Communicate strategy, tradeoffs, and recommendations to project teams and senior leaders to drive portfolio decisions
What You Bring...
PhD in protein sciences, chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical biology, or related field with 8+ years of relevant industry experience for the application of DEL in a drug discovery setting
Demonstrated deep expertise in identifying and executing strategies for successful DEL campaigns for a variety of targets, including protein classes which are typically challenging for DEL selections
Strong understanding of DEL strategy from library design and selection through data analysis, hit identification, off-DNA validation, and chemistry-start planning
Demonstrated track record using DEL-derived data to initiate or advance medicinal chemistry programs and generate validated chemical matter
Strong grounding in protein sciences, organic chemistry, on-DNA chemistry, medicinal chemistry principles, cheminformatics, and large experimental datasets
Current knowledge of emerging DEL technologies and ability to assess which innovations should be adopted, partnered, or built internally
Experience working across AI/ML, data science, computational chemistry, biology, and protein sciences to turn DEL data into predictive insight and project decisions
Proven people leadership, cross-functional influence, and ability to communicate strategic recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders
How You Lead at Valo
At Valo, how you lead matters as much as what you deliver. At this level, our four core values show up as:
Ownership: Challenges oneself to step out of comfort zone while delegating, to help others grow. Leads cross-functional teams in owning results and failures together, with a solutions mindset. Cares for company resources as one's own, driving value through best utilization and ROI.
Emergence: Builds and supports strong teams with clear direction, enabling structures, and resources. Thinks strategically, encouraging teams to leverage cross-disciplinary data, insights, and perspectives. Builds channels for open two-way communication and exhibits strong skills in facilitating meetings and driving decisions.
Humility: Creates a culture where learning from setbacks is normalized and fuels team growth. Encourages constructive debate to sharpen thinking, ensuring challenge leads to better solutions. Leads with humility, creating space for strong ideas to surface over personal views.
Impact: Advocates for bold approaches with peers and leadership; makes strategic bets and backs them with resources. Translates innovative ideas into strategic initiatives or programs. Challenges legacy processes, structures, or strategies when misaligned with goals; mobilizes teams and peers around better alternatives.
MA Salary Range
$190,000-$210,000 USD
Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Valo Health currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Valo Health's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.
Please note: At this time, we are only able to consider candidates who currentlyhave permanent US work authorization without the need for immediate or future sponsorship.
About Valo Health
Valo Health is a biotechnology company that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop new drugs and therapies. The company was founded in 2019 by David Berry and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Valo Health's platform, Opal, uses data from various sources to identify new drug targets and predict the efficacy of potential treatments. The company has partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis and has raised $300 million in funding to date.
