Senior Research & Development Program Manager

Absci is a data-first AI drug creation company designing differentiated therapeutics using generative AI. Our Integrated Drug Creation platform powers cutting-edge de novo AI models and AI lead optimization models aimed at designing better biologics against difficult-to-drug targets.

Absci is a global company with a state-of-the-art lab and headquarters in Vancouver, WA, AI Research Lab in New York City, AI Computational Center in Serbia, and Drug Creation innovation center in Switzerland. absci.com/joinus

Senior R&D Program Manager

Vancouver, WA (onsite)

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and highly experienced Program Manager to join our Program & Portfolio Management team. You will leverage your background and understanding of stakeholder management and leadership without authority in order to drive execution on our highly cross-functional pipeline programs and play a significant role in the success of our overall portfolio strategy.

This position requires strategic thinking and a high level of collaboration across multiple levels of the organization from individual contributors to executive leadership and across multi-disciplinary teams within Absci including AI Research, Protein Engineering, High Throughput Screening, Disease Biology, and Purification & Analytics. R&D Program Managers in this role must excel in clarifying requirements, developing plans for projects at their inception, leading cross-functional teams to execute them, identifying and managing risk, helping troubleshoot technical problems as they arise, tracking to timeline & budget, and escalating & communicating effectively with leadership.

You work with a sense of urgency and thrive in a dynamic team and high-performance culture. Your passion for driving initiatives, and ability to work autonomously will make you very successful in the following areas:

Responsibilities:

• Support corporate strategy and portfolio strategy by safeguarding success of highly cross-functional Drug Creation pipeline programs and communicating effectively with leadership about risks, costs, and opportunities.
• Facilitate cross-functional discussion to align objectives, scope and pressure-test plans, surface and mitigate risk, and drive decision making.
• Simultaneously balance activities between multiple projects of various scopes.
• Drive execution of or cross-functional programs by planning activities, tracking activities, and holding stakeholders accountable for project tasks and deadlines.
• Estimate and manage the costs and time to complete the work within budget and timeline using project management software.
• Identify, assess, prioritize & manage project-related risks and clearly present solutions that link directly to the key program objectives.
• Define the project team's structure and culture and use technology to ensure essential communication between groups in business processes and during experimental handoffs.
• Work with stakeholders and scientific leadership to understand failure modes and implement corrective actions while working to build a system where operational activities are increasingly automatic and seamless.
  
  

Qualifications:

Program Manager

• Bachelor's degree in a science-related field with 5+ years of experience in a biotech-related field or equivalent technical work experience; or a Master's degree and 3+ years; or a PhD Degree and 1+ years.
• Working knowledge of project management software (MS Project, SmartSheet, etc.)
• Familiar with workflows involving protein engineering, cloning, high-throughput screening, protein purification, and/or analytical chemistry
• Proven experience with Change Management and Conflict Resolution with a proactive mindset
• Demonstrated commitment to Absci's core values.
• The salary range for this position is $106,000 - 130,000/year.
  
  

Senior Program Manager

• Bachelor's degree in a science-related field with 8+ years of experience in a biotech-related field or equivalent technical work experience; or a Master's degree with 6+ years; or a PhD with 3+ years.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, cross-functional programs in drug discovery or related fields.
• Working knowledge of project management software (MS Project, SmartSheet, etc.)
• Familiar with complex workflows involving: protein engineering, cloning, high-throughput screening, protein purification, and/or analytical chemistry
• Proven experience with Change Management and Conflict Resolution with a proactive mindset
• Demonstrated commitment to Absci's core values.
• The salary range for this position is $127,000 - $150,000/year.
  
  

Preferred (but not required):

• Project management training
• In-depth or hands-on experience with SmartSheet or other project management software
• Any in-depth experience in one (or more) areas in the workflows mentioned.
  
  

Competitive equity package applies. Pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to equity, compensation packages include a wide range of medical, dental, vision benefits and ability to participate in our employee stock purchase plan.

Absci offers highly competitive salaries and benefits, including medical, dental, vision insurance, unlimited vacation, parental leave, breakfast and lunch for onsite employees, employee assistance program, voluntary life and disability insurance, annual bonus potential, and 401(k) with a generous company match. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.

We seek candidates who will dive into our creative company culture that's collaborative, multidisciplinary, and committed to a big vision for positive impact. We are defying conventions and innovating without boundaries. We are disrupting an industry with bold ideas and passionate pursuit of new possibilities. We are looking for original thinkers, creative scientists, and data-devoted gurus. Successful candidates will be excited to work in a dynamic environment and contribute as a key member of a project team. If this sounds good to you, we invite you to join us in our quest to redefine possible.

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. Absci is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Absci will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Absci offers a dog-friendly work environment - bring your pup along for the ride.