Staff Machine Learning Scientist

About This Opportunity

At Freenome, we are seeking a Staff Machine Learning Scientist to join the Machine Learning Science team within the Computational Science department. The ideal candidate has a strong background in artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods, and a proven track record of applying these methods to complex research questions. They will be responsible for developing algorithms for early, blood-based detection tests for cancer, working closely with computational biologists, molecular biologists, and ML engineers to design and execute research experiments. They will also contribute significantly to the ongoing growth of an organization dedicated to transforming cancer diagnostics.

What You’ll Do

• Independently pursue cutting-edge research in AI applied to biological problems (including cancer research, genomics, computational biology, immunology, etc.)
• Build new models or fine-tune existing models to identify biological changes resulting from disease
• Develop models that achieve high accuracy and generalize robustly to new data
• Apply contemporary interpretability techniques to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying signal identified by the model, potentially suggesting potential biological mechanisms
• Work closely with ML Engineering partners to ensure that Freenome's computational infrastructure supports optimal model training and iteration
• Take a mindful, transparent, and humane approach to your work

Must Haves

• PhD or equivalent research experience with an AI emphasis and in a relevant, quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computational Biology, or Bioinformatics
• 6+ years of postdoc or post-PhD industry experience achieving impactful results using relevant modeling techniques
• Expertise demonstrated by research publications or industry achievements, in driving independent research in applied machine learning, deep learning, and complex data modeling
• Practical and theoretical understanding of fundamental ML models like generalized linear models, kernel machines, decision trees and forests, neural networks, boosting, and model aggregation
• Practical and theoretical understanding of DL models like large language models or other foundation models
• Extensive experience with training paradigms like supervised learning, self-supervised learning, and contrastive learning
• Proficiency in current state of the art in ML/DL approaches in different domains, with an ability to envision their applications in biological data
• Proficiency in a general-purpose programming language: Python, R, Java, C, C++, etc.
• Proficiency in one or more ML frameworks such as Pytorch, Tensorflow, and Jax; and ML platforms like Hugging Face
• Experience in ML analysis and developer tools like TensorBoard, MLflow, or Weights & Biases
• Excellent ability to communicate across disciplines, work collaboratively, and make progress in smaller steps via experimental iterations
• Experience in building DL models for genomic data, with knowledge of state-of-the-art DNA foundation models
• Experience in NGS data analysis and bioinformatic pipelines
• Experience with containerized cloud computing environments such as Docker in GCP, Azure, or AWS
• Experience in a production software engineering environment, including the use of automated regression testing, version control, and deployment systems

Benefits And Additional Information

The US target range of our base salary for new hires is $199,675 - $283,500. You will also be eligible to receive equity, cash bonuses, and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the position offered. Please note that individual total compensation for this position will be determined at the Company’s sole discretion and may vary based on several factors, including but not limited to, location, skill level, years and depth of relevant experience, and education. For additional company information, please visit our career page at freenome.com/job-openings/. Freenome is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, and we value diversity. Freenome does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).