Director Of Research, Menlo Park

Autonomous Medical Devices Incorporated (AMDI) is an early-stage, California company focused on developing and manufacturing Autolabs and their associated test discs for human clinical diagnostics. Each of AMDI’s Autolabs are small, portable point-of-care diagnostics devices using breakthrough microfluidics, hardware, and data/cloud connectivity to deliver secure lab quality results in <15 minutes. AMDI has built a world class, multi-disciplinary team of engineers, scientists, clinicians, and database experts and will launch its first Research Use Only (RUO) products in 2023 from its ISO 13485 certified 110,000 square foot facility in Santa Ana, CA.

Summary of Position

The Director of Research is the leader of AMDI’s Menlo Park, CA site and provides management oversight of the Menlo Park site’s Research Team, the support staff, Safety and the maintenance of the Edison Way facility. The role requires prior experience in the management of scientists at the PhD and Bachelors level, and demonstrated ability to organize the facility to accommodate the wide range of activities carried out in Menlo Park. While not responsible for setting the research agenda for the company, the successful candidate will serve on the Research Committee and contribute to the future research agenda, especially determining the personnel and facility implications of AMDI’s current and future research programs. The Director of Research  will ensure that the Menlo Park laboratories run safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all local, state, and federal chemical safety, biosafety, and radiation safety regulations. In addition, the candidate is expected to maintain excellent working relationship with the landlord of the facility and the various vendors providing goods and services to the staff and the facility.
The Director of Research will manage highly skilled scientists and is expected to be able to effectively understand the science behind all the activities occurring in the facility, including recombinant protein expression, and the myriad technologies involved in protein, RNA, and DNA chemistry and purification. The Director of Research stays current with new developments in each of these fields. The individual is also an excellent scientific mentor of the staff and inspires a culture of lifelong learning by seeking ways to improve processes and integrate new technologies into the Research Team where appropriate. 
AMDI’s Research Team is responsible for the design and early stage production all proprietary biomolecules (proteins, RNA, DNA, etc.). Many of these will be for research use only (RUO), while others will be incorporated into in vitro diagnostics (IVD) products used for clinical testing of humans and other animals.  IVD biomolecules will be produced by the Research Team at a scale to bring the IVD product through pilot stage/Stage 3. The Research Team is responsible for preparing documentation of the processes followed in preparing and purifying the biomolecules that are used in IVD products. The Research Team will also assist with the transfer of biomolecular production technology to other AMDI facilities or a third party manufacturer. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

•    Effectively leads the Research Team to ensure their technical objectives and timelines are developed, and resources in Menlo Park are aligned with the research needs of AMDI
•    Conducts regular individual sessions with the Research Team staff to offer guidance, provide support, feedback, uncover and resolve technical or non-technical barriers to progress and actively works to address any issues that arise
•    As a member of the Research Committee, ensures that the Research Team is prepared to regularly report to the broader team on their research projects
•    Maintains state of the art general scientific knowledge, with strong expertise in protein and nucleic acid biochemistry
•    Possesses prior knowledge and investigational skills for using the scientific literature and personal scientific network to uncover technical solutions for AMDI’s research and development activities
•    Technically knowledgeable about the requirements of lab-scale protein production (mammalian cells and E. coli) as well as techniques for purification and quality assessment of recombinant proteins, RNA, and DNA
•    Ensures that biomolecules produced in Menlo Park and destined for IVD use are documented and transferrable to the AMDI ISO 13485 QMS
•    Assures maintenance of an accurate chemical inventory and SDS access for AMDI's Menlo Park facility
•    Responsible for coordinating with local authorities to ensure proper permitting for the Menlo Park Facility, including Health and Safety, BSL2 certification, Fire Department permits, etc.
•    Member of AMDI Safety Committee representing the Menlo Park facility
•    As a member of the AMDI Leadership Team, provides an example to the organization of outstanding cross functional teamwork that builds cohesion beyond the Menlo Park Research Team
•    Clearly communicates through discussions, written reports, and presentations the status of Research activities, site personnel, and facility matters
•    Provides clear direction and leadership to the Menlo Park Research Team to ensure the Team continuously employs the most efficient and scientifically appropriate experimental and analytical approaches to the design of experiments, data analysis, and data storage
•    Actively manages and personally contributes to creating a safe work environment
•    Encourages a sense of urgency to the accomplishment of Research milestones, and recognizes and rewards outstanding achievements by members of the Research Team
•    Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications Required for Position

•    PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or equivalent
•    Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in the development of a diverse range of diagnostic or life science products 
•    Demonstrable strong leadership skills in organizing scientific professionals to effectively meet project timelines
•    Excellent leader, collaborator and team builder both in recruiting and developing employees
•    Strong and reliable cross functional partner in product development

 •    Contributes to a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment
•    Well organized and attentive to the details of all aspects of the Research Team’s work
•    Results oriented and accountable individual who continuously drives for progress in achieving project goals and works with a sense of         urgency to uncover the root cause of an issue
•    Utilize effective interpersonal and communication skills to create win-win relationships within the Research Team and other AMDI Teams

Work Environment

•    Laboratory and office-based position at 3475 Edison Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Autonomous Medical Device Incorporated offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to eligible employees including:

Company provided lunch to all employees when working at one of AMDI’s on-site locations.

- 401(k) match

- Health insurance, 100% paid for by employer including: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance

- Competitive vacation, sick days & paid holidays

- Tuition reimbursement

- Casual dress code

- Employee discounts on activities such as theme parks, movie theaters, hotels, rental cars, etc.

- Monthly company-wide social

Autonomous Medical Devices Incorporated (AMDI) will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. An Agency must obtain advance written approval from AMDI’s internal Human Resources team to submit resumes only in conjunction with approved valid fully executed contracts.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace:

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.