Associate Director, Microbiome Therapies

at  Stanford University

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:

Sarafan ChEM-H is a new interdisciplinary institute focused on connecting Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health. The institute was founded as a joint venture of the Schools of Medicine, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences. The proximity of world-class biologists, chemists, engineers, and clinicians at Stanford presents a unique opportunity to study human biology at a molecular level, to translate this knowledge into groundbreaking products and services that promote healthy living, and to educate a new cadre of “physician-scientist-engineers” who will lead a rapidly evolving industry. The institute’s Knowledge Centers serve as shared laboratories where trainees from diverse disciplines in science, engineering and medicine pursue projects under the mentorship of the center’s Directors, thereby gaining hands-on skills in high-throughput screening, medicinal chemistry, metabolomics, protein chemistry, and structural biology.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Microbiome Therapies Initiative (MITI) at Sarafan ChEM-H is seeking a highly motivated Associate Director, Microbiome Therapies for a role in our ambitious effort to build a synthetic human microbiome from scratch. Our goal is to take advantage of the tremendous promise of the microbiome to treat human disease. Candidates should have good hands and strong organizational skills. Ideal candidates are self-starters, comfortable with autonomy, and embrace opportunities to tackle new problems and challenges as part of a dynamic team in a start-up-like environment within the University. The Associate Director will be responsible for building and characterizing a synthetic microbiome for the treatment of GI disorders. Primary duties will be to optimize and implement the synthetic microbiome construction pipeline, and create and maintain anaerobic bacterial isolate stocks, with opportunities to design and implement new technologies for process optimization. Additional duties include writing and implementing SOPs for new and established processes, training and supervising MITI staff scientists and technicians, and participating in cross team collaborations. You will also have the opportunity to lead the manufacturing of novel microbiome-based therapies in our production suite in the Stanford Research Park. Although you will be the primary person responsible for this therapeutic, teamwork and communication is essential for success in this role.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced degree may be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills of advanced anaerobic technique or microbiological principles and practices.
• In-depth experience with aseptic and microbiological techniques.
• Experience with software for inventory management.
• Ability to independently oversee and manage instrumentation or system installation.
• Ability to collaborate with senior engineering and scientific staff to design and develop special purpose instrumentation.
• Experience overseeing the plan, design, and implementation of major scientific or engineering initiatives and ensuring project objectives are met.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate research/process capabilities and make recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, communicate, and enforce compliance with health and safety policies and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• PhD in Microbiology or related field, and 10+ years practical experience working with anaerobic bacteria is strongly desired.
• 5+ years experience developing live biotherapeutic products in industry or academia.
• At least 1 year of experience with MasterControl or similar quality systems management software.
• Proficiency using project and lab management software including eLabNext, Smartsheet, and Asana.
• Previous experience supervising GMP production operations in an academic or industry setting.
• Experience overseeing a laboratory unit and supervising the work of technicians and other staff associated with the group.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently grasp lightly/fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally stand/walk, sit, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp forcefully.
• Rarely kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other), reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, sort/file paperwork or parts, operate foot and/or hand controls, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.

• Provide strategic planning for their own work group; participate with senior managers in higher level strategic planning. Communicate operational objectives and assignments and delegate to staff.
• Manage the daily operations of an assigned area(s) which include recruiting, hiring, training, developing, evaluating and setting priorities of staff, coordinating business, technical, and educational activities for direct reports.
• Oversee interdepartmental activities, projects and efforts by applying advanced technical and professional knowledge. Serve as the initial managerial escalation point for problems from clients and other staff.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources. Oversee preparation of periodic financial and technical reports and operating plans.
• Interface with clients to determine project requirements. Establish service level agreements with clients.
• Monitor scientific, engineering, and/or technology trends and evaluate emerging technologies to recommend for adoption and implementation.
• Communicate and implement policies, procedures, best practices, recommendations and guidelines compliance with established University administrative policies and procedures.