Associate Principal, TechBio Discovery Biology

Role Summary

Associate Principal, TechBio Discovery Biology. You will lead and advance our AI-driven portfolio of therapeutic candidates within the Discovery Biology team, integrating biology, chemistry, automation, data science, and engineering to accelerate drug discovery. You will be a catalyst contributing to the evolution of a new paradigm in medicine. This is an office-based, hybrid role in Salt Lake City / New York City, with in-office work at least 50% of the time. You will be integral to the Discovery team, collaborating with a diverse group of life scientists, computational and technical experts, and cross-functional teams spanning data science, computational biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and chemistry to accelerate the progression of compounds across our early oncology portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Play a critical role in defining and executing our oncology strategy, seamlessly integrating traditional drug discovery principles with cutting-edge computational approaches.
• Lead scientific initiatives focused on delivering various small molecule programs from initial hit to candidate selection and IND submission.
• Contribute to novel target insight generation, patient refinement and patient selection strategies within several early discovery programs and have the opportunity to improve the Recursion OS itself.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant biological or chemical science discipline (e.g., Molecular Biology, Oncology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry) with at least 5+ years of experience in Tech-forward Biotech or Pharma.
• A proven track record of accomplishments in drug discovery, with specific experience in leading oncology programs from early discovery to a clinical candidate stage.
• Demonstrated experience with modern drug discovery approaches, including familiarity with AI/ML-driven platforms and models, high-throughput screening, omics data analysis, with a systems biology mindset.
• Strong understanding of the oncology landscape, including key therapeutic modalities, emerging targets, and clinical development challenges.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and motivate high-performing, cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, matrix environment.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver impactful, clear presentations and memos to a wide range of audiences, including the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), program teams, Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), and external partners. A strategic and tactical thinker who can prioritize competing demands and solve complex problems with a solution-focused mindset.