Head of Droplet-based Microfluidics Applications - Associate Director

About Us:

Shennon Biotechnologies is developing precision immunotherapies for solid tumors through an integrated technology platform spanning target discovery, ultra-high-throughput microfluidics-driven functional screening, computational binder design and predictive safety assessment. In particular, where conventional discovery tests binders sequentially over months, our functional screening platform TCELERATOR profiles more than 10 million single-cell interactions at once, identifying functional leads in a single experiment. The unified engine is supported by proprietary human tumor datasets and an expanding network of academic and clinical collaborators. We are developing both antibody-based and TCR-based T-cell engagers designed to address surface and intracellular cancer targets. Our initial oncology pipeline includes programs in small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. We are based in the dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco with 6000 sqft of lab space. For more information, visit www.shennonbio.com.

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, designing and 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 

Company Culture:
Our culture is centered around Collaboration, Ownership and Authenticity. 

Collaboration: We work best as a team, sharing context openly and celebrating wins together. We all work on-site to ensure this close collaboration, coupled with a flexible time-off policy to support life outside of work, especially family. 

Ownership: We trust you to take initiative and see things through, with the support to learn along the way. We provide mentorship, lots of growth opportunities, and merit-based promotions.

Authenticity: We want you to show up as yourself, giving honest feedback with kindness and being transparent about both successes and mistakes. Only by being authentic, can we grow individually and as a team.

 

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