Director of Bioinformatics
Dinamo Biotechnologies · San Francisco Bay Area
Tailor my CV for this job — freeAbout DinamoDinamo Biotechnologies is a Series A precision medicine company, backed by True Ventures and Greenfield Partners, focused on autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Our platform combines a high-resolution, whole-genome epigenetic readout with machine learning to decode the epigenome and identify the patients most likely to respond to therapy. We apply it to clinical-stage programs to enable precision, biomarker-driven development — computational science sits at the center of the company.The RoleThe Director of Bioinformatics will own Dinamo's computational strategy end to end — from raw methylation sequencing data to validated, regulatory-grade responder signatures. This leader sets the scientific and technical direction, builds and leads a team spanning pipeline engineering, algorithms, and AI, and stays hands-on in the hardest problems. The role partners closely with molecular biology, clinical, regulatory/CDx, and business development, and is a visible member of the leadership team in program strategy, partner discussions, and investor communication.Key ResponsibilitiesScientific & technical leadership
- Define and execute the computational roadmap for methylation-based responder stratification across autoimmune indications (e.g., RA, lupus, IBD, psoriasis)
- Devise novel methods and tools — statistical, ML, and AI/deep learning — to extract robust signatures from high-dimensional, high-noise epigenomic data with limited sample sizes
- Set the standard for analytical rigor: pre-specified analysis plans, locked models, held-out and independent validation, benchmarking, and resistance to overfitting
- Drive integration across data types and platforms (sequencing and array data, cohort and batch effects, domain adaptation) and with clinical endpointsPlatform & pipelines
- Own production-grade, reproducible pipelines from primary/secondary processing (alignment, methylation calling, QC) through tertiary analysis and model deployment
- Build scalable cloud/HPC infrastructure, data management, and version control suited to CLIA-ready and companion diagnostic development
- Evaluate and manage external partners (sequencing providers, AI/bioinformatics CROs) and new technologiesTeam building
- Recruit, lead, and grow a high-performing team covering bioinformatics pipelines, algorithm development, and ML/AI engineering
- Establish engineering practices that let a small team move fast without losing rigor
- Mentor scientists and engineers; create a culture of ownership, candor, and scientific integrityQualificationsMinimum requirements
- Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, statistics, computer science, or a related field
- 8+ years in computational biology/bioinformatics, including 3+ years leading teams in an industry setting
- Deep expertise in genomics and epigenetics, with hands-on DNA methylation experience (WGBS, EM-seq, TAPS, arrays, and/or cfDNA methylation)
- Track record of original computational contributions — products, publications, patents, or open-source tools — solving hard problems in high-dimensional omics data
- Fluency in Python; strong command of cloud/HPC environments and workflow managers (e.g., Nextflow, Snakemake, WDL)
- Hands-on experience with AWS infrastructure (e.g., EC2, S3, Batch) and cost-aware scaling of compute-intensive genomics workloads
- Strong software engineering fundamentals — modular, tested, production-quality code; version control and CI/CD; containerization (Docker); and the ability to turn research prototypes into reliable, maintainable softwarePreferred
- Liquid biopsy and/or diagnostic development experience, ideally through CLIA/CAP, IVD, or companion diagnostic regulatory pathways
- Exposure to clinical trial data, responder/non-responder classification, and biomarker-driven development
- Background in immunology or autoimmune and inflammatory diseaseThe IndividualWe are looking for a scientist-builder: rigorous, creative, and pragmatic, equally comfortable writing code, debating a validation design, and hiring a team. This person thrives in a lean, fast-moving startup, shifts easily between hands-on execution and strategy, communicates complex results with clarity, and holds themselves and the team to a high bar of scientific integrity.