Associate Director/Director, Head of DEL Discovery Strategy and Informatics

The role

This leader will set the strategy for DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology to initiate chemistry efforts across the portfolio. You will lead a team of 4 to 5 scientists and partner with cross-functional teams to turn DEL outputs into high-quality data for the Opal Computational Platform.

What you will do

• Set the strategic roadmap for using DEL as a first-line discovery approach
• Lead and develop a team of 4 to 5 scientists
• Define DEL deployment strategy including target tractability and selection design
• Translate DEL selection outputs into actionable chemistry starts
• Partner with medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, biology, protein sciences, in vitro pharmacology and data science
• Lead a team to build scalable DEL data workflows
• Scout, evaluate, and apply emerging DEL technologies
• Communicate strategy, tradeoffs, and recommendations to project teams and senior leaders

Required qualifications

• PhD in protein sciences, chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical biology, or related field
• 8+ years of relevant industry experience for the application of DEL in a drug discovery setting
• Deep expertise in identifying and executing strategies for successful DEL campaigns for a variety of targets
• Strong understanding of DEL strategy from library design and selection through data analysis, hit identification, off-DNA validation, and chemistry-start planning
• 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
• Experience working across AI/ML, data science, computational chemistry, biology, and protein sciences
• Proven people leadership, cross-functional influence, and ability to communicate strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage
• Annual incentive program
• Retirement benefits
• Broad range of other benefits

Before you apply

• Only able to consider candidates who currently have permanent US work authorization without the need for immediate or future sponsorship

About the company

Valo Health is a human-centric, AI-enabled biotechnology company working to make new drugs for patients faster. The company’s Opal Computational Platform transforms drug discovery and development through a unique combination of real-world data, AI, human translational models and predictive chemistry.