Director, Machine Learning – Virtual Cell Initiative

About Arc Institute

Arc Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology, working to accelerate scientific progress and understand the root causes of complex diseases. Founded in 2021 and based in Palo Alto, Arc partners with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco.

Unlike academia, Arc scientists have long-term funding and industry-like resources. Unlike industry, they're free to pursue high-risk, long-term research without commercial pressures. Arc's Technology Centers and Core Investigator labs integrate experimental and computational biology under one roof to tackle problems neither could solve alone.

The Role

We are searching for an innovative scientific leader experienced in building predictive models based on single-cell genomic data. You will spearhead the development and application of advanced machine learning models tailored for perturbative gene expression modeling, advancing Arc's Virtual Cell Initiative—a full-stack virtual cell model designed to identify disease mechanisms and nominate drug targets, accelerating the path from biological insight to clinical trials.

About You

• You are passionate about machine learning with experience or strong interest in biology and single-cell genomics
• You want to develop highly innovative and accurate biology-inspired multimodal machine learning models
• You are excited about collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of computational and experimental biologists
• You are a strong communicator capable of translating complex technical concepts across disciplines

Why This Position

• Work at the center of AIxBio with the potential to revolutionize drug discovery
• Work in a unique environment integrating wet lab data generation and frontier AI modeling in an active learning loop
• Join a research organization fusing high-velocity execution with intellectual rigor, backed by substantial long-term philanthropic funding
• Collaborate with accomplished scientists and entrepreneurs on some of the hardest challenges in science today

More than 300 team members work together at Arc's Palo Alto headquarters, creating an environment where breakthrough research meets scientific impact.