Head of AI for Alzheimer’s

OpenAI Foundation • San Francisco, CA

1d

About The Position

The OpenAI Foundation is building its Life Sciences and Curing Diseases program to accelerate progress against major diseases, with AI for Alzheimer’s as an initial focus area. The Foundation is interested in using AI to advance understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including mapping disease pathways, detecting biomarkers for clinical care and trials, and personalizing treatments, including potential repurposing of FDA-approved molecules.

This is a founding role responsible for helping define and build the Foundation’s AI for Alzheimer’s work. The Program Director will work closely with the Head of Life Sciences and Curing Diseases to shape strategy, identify promising opportunities, and help deploy significant resources over time. The role calls for flexibility, sound judgment, and action-oriented leadership in an ambiguous and evolving environment, with substantial engagement across the external ecosystem and responsibility for turning the Foundation’s mission into a focused portfolio of grants and initiatives.

Requirements

• 10–15+ years of relevant experience preferred.
• Relevant experience in Alzheimer’s research, neuroscience, neurology, biotechnology, translational medicine, venture or grant investing in life sciences, or related fields.
• Strong interest in AI’s role in accelerating Alzheimer’s research, including data analysis, biomarker discovery, disease modeling, clinical development, or therapeutic discovery.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate scientific, technical, or organizational opportunities and make strong recommendations.
• Experience engaging credibly with external experts, institutions, and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Strong strategic judgment combined with a bias toward execution.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly ambiguous, evolving environment.
• High degree of ownership, discretion, and accountability.
• Deep motivation to accelerate progress in life sciences and contribute to the Foundation’s mission.

Nice To Haves

• San Francisco Bay Area location is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop clear theses for how the Foundation can accelerate prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s, with the intention of deploying hundreds of millions of dollars toward that goal over time.
• Work with the Head of Life Sciences and Curing Diseases to shape strategy, prioritize opportunities, and refine the Foundation’s approach.
• Source, evaluate, and recommend grants and other funding opportunities.
• Conduct diligence on organizations, projects, and leaders, assessing scientific value and potential for real-world impact.
• Engage with researchers, nonprofits, public health organizations, startups, academic centers, funders, and potential grantee organizations.
• Build and maintain relationships with leaders across Alzheimer’s research and AI for science.
• Prepare internal briefs, recommendations, and memos to support decision-making.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed