Lead Scientist, Functional Precision Medicine Initiative

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We are recruiting a Lead Scientist for the Functional Precision Medicine Initiative to provide scientific, technical, and strategic leadership supporting the development, clinical translation, and growth of the Functional Precision Medicine Platform. This individual will lead assay innovation, quality system development, translational implementation, external partnerships, and platform expansion activities supporting the development of a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-ready functional precision medicine laboratory. The Lead Scientist serves as the scientific lead for platform evolution and future clinical readiness, working closely with the Director of the Functional Precision Medicine Initiative, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Director, quality and compliance personnel, external consultants, computational scientists, automation engineers, and external collaborators. This role partners closely with the Leading Scientist responsible for day-to-day laboratory operations, personnel management, and sample execution workflows.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering, Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field from an accredited institution
5+ years of experience in model-based science
Experience in center leadership
Experience with automated laboratory systems, plate-based assays, or high throughput screening.
At least one year of experience with mini-ring 3D organoid platform.
Experience with cell-based workflows, imaging, or clinical sample–derived cultures.
Ability to operate independently in a fast-moving, interdisciplinary setting.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Bioengineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology or a related field.
Exposure to interfaces with data infrastructure, analysis pipelines, or LIMS-like systems.
Experience troubleshooting automation protocols, hardware integration, or workflow orchestration
Prior work with patient-derived samples or translational precision medicine programs.

Responsibilities

Lead development, optimization, and deployment of next-generation organoid-based functional precision medicine assays, including mini-ring screening assays intended for future clinical implementation.
Partner with the Director of the Functional Precision Medicine Initiative and the CLIA Director to establish scientific roadmaps for clinical translation, assay validation strategies, performance specifications, and clinical deployment plans.
Design and execute analytical validation, reproducibility, bridging, and feasibility studies supporting future clinical implementation.
Evaluate emerging technologies, biomarkers, and assay methodologies that may expand platform capabilities and clinical utility.
Translate research workflows into scalable, standardized processes suitable for regulated laboratory environments.
Serve as scientific lead for development of assay-specific quality systems in partnership with CLIA leadership, quality and compliance personnel, and external consultants, supporting a CLIA and College of American Pathologists (CAP) compliant functional precision medicine laboratory.
Develop assay validation strategies, quality control frameworks, acceptance criteria, trending approaches, and performance monitoring plans.
Contribute to quality management system elements including standard operating procedures, controlled documentation, deviation tracking, corrective and preventive actions, and quality metrics.
Support preparation of validation reports, technical documentation, audit materials, proficiency testing activities, and inspection readiness.
Review quality metrics, assay performance trends, deviations, and corrective actions to ensure continued platform excellence.
Serve as primary scientific contact for external collaborators, academic partners, industry sponsors, institutional stakeholders, and technology providers.
Develop and manage scientific collaborations that advance platform capabilities and translational objectives.
Lead technical evaluation of new technologies, instrumentation, software solutions, and strategic partnerships, and represent the platform in technical discussions with vendors and service providers.
Represent the Functional Precision Medicine platform in scientific meetings, institutional initiatives, and collaborative programs.
Support development of sponsored research activities, collaborative agreements, and translational partnerships.
Provide scientific oversight for automation-enabled screening workflows, imaging systems, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and data integration strategies.
Partner with automation engineers and computational scientists to define future platform infrastructure and scaling requirements.
Establish standards for assay metadata, data integrity, traceability, reporting structures, and clinical reporting readiness.
Identify opportunities for increased throughput, reproducibility, analytical depth, and operational efficiency.
Support strategic planning and long-term growth of the Functional Precision Medicine Initiative, including future capability development and new service offerings.
Contribute to hiring strategy, organizational development, and definition of future platform capabilities.
Assist platform leadership with grant development, scientific reporting, institutional presentations, and programmatic planning.
Mentor scientific personnel and provide technical leadership across the Functional Precision Medicine ecosystem.