SUMMARY: As a key member of the Leadership Team reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is accountable for the Epic Sciences’ technology, science and platform system comprised of blood processing instrumentation, image analysis, machine learning/AI, workflow software (inclusive of laboratory information system and partner informatics), biological and synthetic chemistries (immunocytochemistry, in-situ hybridization, NGS and qPCR). Experience with liquid biopsy would be useful.
The CTO’s direct reports may include Lab Operations, Platform Technology, Data Science, and Assay Development. The successful person in this role will be responsible for leading multiple teams to deliver against defined deadlines that directly impact the success of the organization.
ELEMENTS: Education/Experience: Ph.D. in a relevant field with >15 years of relevant experience demonstrating increasing skill and effectiveness at managing the research and development pipeline within an organization (ex: deep experience with design control, analytical validation, and creating and sustaining a strategy that will support Epic’s business objectives); experience with systems integration of hardware, software, image analysis/machine learning/AI and reagents; experience taking diagnostic instrumentation systems through 510(K) and PMA approvals.
Well qualified candidates will have a profile that closely matches the following:
- Significant experience in leading image analysis and machine learning/AI teams to deliver products to the market.
- Experience leading an organization through transformational growth, with experience developing products involving at least one of the following: Immunocytochemistry, fluorescence labelling, protein-based assays, clinical or anatomic pathology or molecular laboratory equipment.
- Experience effectively leading significant platform evolution and determining where to invest in technology advancements.
- Experience leading cross-functional R&D teams to CAP/CLIA, NYSDOH, FDA, CE-Mark or international regulatory clearance or approval.
- Demonstrated ability to inspire, grow and lead multi-disciplinary teams to maximize efficiency, productivity and career satisfaction and engagement.
Communication Skill: Works with consistently high degree of effectiveness with both internal and external audiences to analyze, interpret, and summarize data both orally and in writing. The ability to articulate the company’s R&D strategies and progress to a wide audience, including the Board of Directors, employees, patient groups, industry partners, and other stakeholders. Exceptional ability to lead the articulation of experimental plans to the immediate team and coordinate resources for execution and analysis of experiments. Superior ability to negotiate, influence, and confront effectively.
Interpersonal Skill: Demonstrated mastery working with other senior people to define and confirm strategic objectives in an efficient and productive fashion, working with individuals at various levels within the organization with varying perspectives and getting to mutually satisfactory solutions. A focus on problem-solving coupled with integrity. Ability to work independently, and as a part of a group, able to provide effective leadership, coaching and management to teams and individuals reporting to the role; the ability to model company values and set an example for subordinates.
Judgment: Works on significantly complex issues where problems are not clearly defined and where fundamental principles do not fully apply. Translates business segment strategy into functional plans and guides execution. Directs the corporate development of methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people.
Execution: Interacts with officers, senior management, members of the Board of Directors, and/or major customers which frequently involves negotiating matters of significance to the organization. Reconciles multiple stakeholder views to drive business results. Ability to design and execute plans within budget and timelines; deep understanding of various data analysis techniques with the ability to select the optimal approach for an experiment. Demonstrated ability to work across the stages of a business proposal (ex: from technical feasibility to analytically validating a commercial product).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:- Key partner to the CEO and CMO to define broader corporate strategy and execution, leading the integration of genomics and sophisticated bioinformatics into our analytical processes.
- Proactive participant and voice in external partnerships, investment community and media relations.
- Represent Epic as a thought leader in blood-based diagnostics, with the ability to influence current and future standards for what is “state-of-the-art,” participating in key conferences and industry meetings.
- Leader, coach, and mentor to R&D functions including assay development, software (development and test/QA), image analysis/machine learning, project management, systems engineering, systems integration, manufacturing and laboratory operations, and to develop the company’s focus on other forms of cancer.
- Owner of Epic’s product development technology platform. The platform is intended to generate products in response to internal, customer and market needs. Included in the process is internal research and discovery systems to FDA PMA compliant design controls and audit-ready manufacturing.
- Accountable for Epic’s platform technology including developing a multi-year science and technology roadmap, performing continuous competitive analysis, assessing M&A opportunities.
- Taking existing products and processes and refining/improving their execution, prioritization, and cost/efficiency with cross-functional team to deliver value and products to internal and external customers; defining key performance indicators and quality metrics with goals and execution plans to meet them.
- Oversee the integration of software (inclusive of laboratory information systems and partner informatics), image analysis, machine learning/AI, biological and synthetic reagents, internally developed hardware systems and off-the-shelf blood processing equipment.
- Act as a key partner with medical/clinical, regulatory and quality functions to define US and ex-US approvals and clearances strategy and execution.
- Work with VP Laboratory Operations to define and/or anticipate functional requirements for internal systems and drive to create integrated systems that meet or exceed those functional requirements.
- Prepare for rapid growth in demand for lab outputs through scaling and automation.
- Work with partners (both internal and external) to develop robust products while adhering to timelines and budgets.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES: May perform additional duties as assigned or directed by management from time to time.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:- Performance Orientation – Is driven by personal performance; achieves all objectives detailed in scorecards and comfortable with quantifiable assessments.
- Impact Orientation – Performs to stated objectives and driven to make an impact on company goals and patients’ lives.
- Competitive – Dedicated to a competitive spirit that supports Epic Sciences’ goal to be the premier CTC technology in the industry.
- Sense of Urgency – Has the speed and agility dedicated to the company’s goals and performance.
- Ability to Handle Pressure and Ambiguity – Comfortable with the pressure to be the best and the ability maintain composure and focus on situations of ambiguity and uncertainty.
- Confidence - Confident in one’s skills and abilities; pursues everything with energy; demonstrates the drive and a need to finish especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Transition from standing and sitting often.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
General office environment. Daily exposure to PCs and networks. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Epic Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to the principle of diversity.
