Technical Program/Product Manager — Machine Learning for Drug Discovery and Molecular Science
The Opportunity
Machine learning research in drug discovery, biophysics, and biomolecular simulation advances only as fast as its execution allows. Datasets have to be sourced, outside partners managed, and several ambitious modeling efforts kept moving in parallel without losing scientific rigor. This role sits at that junction. The hire will keep a portfolio of ML projects on track, from generative molecular design to structure prediction, and will work directly with senior leadership on the infrastructure, risk, and strategic decisions that determine where the research goes next.
The client is a computational research organization in the Greater New York Area that applies advanced simulation and machine learning to understand biologically significant molecules at atomic resolution and to design highly selective therapeutics. StaffRight Associates is managing this search on the client’s behalf.
The Research Environment
Program and product managers here work alongside teams of machine learning researchers and engineers, and they report progress to research leads and senior management. The client pairs specialized, purpose-built hardware for molecular dynamics with high-speed commodity systems, and it applies the resulting models in both internal and partnered drug discovery programs.
What You’ll Do
- Drive ML projects forward day to day, working with researchers and engineers to turn plans into results.
- Steward a portfolio that includes generative models proposing new candidate molecules for drug targets, forecasts of PK and ADME behavior for small-molecule compounds, sharper accuracy in molecular simulation, progress on 3D structure prediction, and LLMs built and applied to drug discovery and molecular science.
- Partner with senior management and research leads on infrastructure, risk-mitigation, and strategic initiatives.
- Lead the sourcing of scientific datasets that feed the group’s modeling work.
- Own relationships with vendors and other external parties.
- Communicate status, risks, and tradeoffs clearly to technical specialists and leadership alike.
What You Bring
- A strong record of professional accomplishment
- Training or experience in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a closely related field
- A track record coordinating interdisciplinary teams or complex technical efforts
- The ability to explain technical reasoning to experts and non-specialists alike
- Demonstrated leadership
Paths Into This Role
Candidates whose doctoral or professional work centered on computer science or machine learning will find their training maps directly onto this role. So will people from adjacent quantitative disciplines who have since led interdisciplinary technical programs. Researchers who have managed shared datasets, external collaborations, or multi-team modeling efforts will recognize much of the day-to-day work.
Compensation & Total Rewards
- Base salary is expected to range from $200,000 to $600,000 per year. The client sets the final figure based on prior experience and educational background.
- Variable pay includes sign-on and year-end bonuses.
- The benefits package is generous and includes assistance with relocation and immigration.
- The schedule is hybrid. Staff work on-site Tuesday through Thursday and may work remotely on Monday and Friday.
Joining StaffRight Associates
When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you’re doing more than pursuing a job, you’re aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.
