Head of Discovery Lab

• Lab build-out
  :
  Own the facility build end to end, from site to operational lab.
• Compliance
  :
  Establish the lab's EHS program and obtain required related permits.
• Team building
  :
  Hire a team of roughly 17–21 people in phases.
• Closed-loop operations and data quality
  :
  Co-build the work-order system with the AI and engineering teams, and ensure every experiment runs on AI-generated work orders and SOPs. This includes:
• Establishing an SOP for each experiment type and validating its reproducibility;
• Capturing raw data in real time, including failed and anomalous results;
• Keeping all data comparable and traceable.
• Efficiency and cost
  :
  Manage an annual budget in the tens of millions of USD. Increase instrument utilization and throughput. Manage outsourced services such as animal studies.
• Collaboration
  :
  Partner with scientific and customer project teams to support validation work for customer lab projects.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in life sciences, chemistry, materials science or a related field;
• 10+ years of laboratory experience, including at least 5 in lab operations or management;
• Has led at least one greenfield lab build or major expansion end to end: site, construction, procurement and compliance;
• Deep familiarity with US lab EHS requirements and permitting;
• Has managed a cross-disciplinary team of 10+ and a high budget project

Preferred Qualifications

• Has run both biology and chemistry/materials labs;
• Experience with lab automation, LIMS, ELN or data-driven R&D;
• Has built labs, with a network of design, construction and equipment vendors;
• Startup or high-growth company experience;
  Embraces AI-designed experiments and a data-first way of working.