Head of Droplet-based Microfluidics Applications - Associate Director

The Role:

Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer, the Associate Director of Droplet-based Microfluidics Applications should be an experienced leader with hands-on expertise in droplet-based microfluidic applications (such as droplet-based sequencing and/or droplet-based screening), who can think across biology and engineering to drive solutions in functional biology, and find new preclinical or clinical applications. This person is expected to execute and expand the platform strategies towards ShennonBio's vision. This person will lead the development of applications based on our droplet-based microfluidics platform, and the further strengthening of this platform. This person will play a critical role in ensuring the company's competitive differentiation. We expect this person to drive the engineering platform, manage the engineering staff, and actively develop solutions to better understand functional biology.

ShennonBio envisions this role being filled by a mature leader who has an adaptive and self-starter attitude, and a strong background in both engineering and biology. This leader shall also be fluent with data structures that go into training AI models. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of droplet-based applications to know what is possible, what are the current boundaries and how to push them eventually.

You will work with an interdisciplinary team, and have direct access to a member of our Scientific Advisory Board who is one of the founders of droplet microfluidics (Scientific Advisory Board available here).

Responsibilities:

• Lead the further development of the droplet-based microfluidics platform and more importantly its applications, with boots on the ground, working alongside the junior engineers
• Actively talk with the biology team and assess what problems can be addressed with the platform
• Define projects and timelines to develop applications based on ShennonBio's microfluidics platform to better understand functional biology.
• Drive and execute projects, and ensure the delivery of results within set timelines to meet Company's goals
• Mentor junior engineers of the team, develop them into mature professionals and expand their capabilities.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and deep scientific rigor.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Ph.D. in an engineering or physical science field (Electric Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or Mechanical engineering and Chemical Engineering preferred) with expertise in droplet-based functional biology applications supported by publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Have delivered droplet-based microfluidic solutions for functional biology applications, with hands-on experience in designing droplet-based microfluidic chips, manufacturing microfluidic chips, designingand executing droplet-based biological assays. You must have worked on the whole process end-to-end yourself and understand the opportunities and challenges of droplet-based microfluidics.
• Multi-disciplinary in training, with experience across disciplinary boundaries, can think across biology and engineering, has worked in a multi-disciplinary team
• 3+ years of leadership experience in industry; have managed a team, led projects and delivered results within defined timelines.
• Demonstrated adaptability and maturity in aligning with the company's directions and needs.
• Awareness of one's own strength and weaknesses, low ego, growth mindset, comfortable changing course as priorities evolve
• Understands the startup environment and passionate about it
• Ability to gauge each team member's strengths and weaknesses and know how to get the best out of each person in the team.
• Ability to present clearly and concisely to the executive team and external stakeholders

Compensation:

• $160,000 - $180,000 base + 4% 401K match + 10% performance bonus + sizable equity
• Total cash comp $190,000 - $210,000 (including bonus, 401K match, lunch allowance, commuter allowance, excluding equity)

Benefits:

• Daily lunches; Commuter Benefits; Unlimited snacks and drinks.
• Medical, Dental, Vision; 100% Premium Covered.
• Disability Insurance, Life Insurance; Workplace Insurance