Application Guide

How to Apply for Director, AI Sciences

at Flagship Pioneering

🏢 About Flagship Pioneering

Quotient Therapeutics is pioneering a unique approach to drug discovery by leveraging natural somatic genetic diversity from patients, creating a new paradigm in biopharma R&D. As a Flagship Pioneering company, it operates within an ecosystem that has launched groundbreaking ventures like Moderna and Sana Biotechnology, offering the opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge genomics and AI-driven drug development in an early-stage, high-impact environment.

About This Role

As Director of AI Sciences, you'll invent and productionize computational capabilities that directly power target identification, validation, and drug development pipelines. This role requires deep collaboration with data infrastructure, assay development, biology validation, and drug discovery teams to translate AI innovations into tangible therapeutic breakthroughs, making it a pivotal position for advancing Quotient's mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves collaborating with biology teams to understand experimental data needs, designing and implementing AI models to analyze somatic genetic datasets, and working with data infrastructure colleagues to productionize computational pipelines. You'll balance strategic planning for new AI capabilities with hands-on development and cross-functional meetings to ensure computational tools directly support therapeutic program advancement.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Flagship Pioneering Is Looking For

  • Has experience developing and productionizing AI/ML models specifically for biological applications like target identification or validation in drug discovery
  • Demonstrates proven ability to collaborate deeply with cross-functional teams including biologists, data engineers, and assay developers in a biotech/pharma setting
  • Possesses both intellectual curiosity about somatic genomics and practical skills to implement computational solutions that accelerate therapeutic development
  • Shows enthusiasm for working in an early-stage company environment where they can help shape computational strategy from the ground up

📝 Tips for Applying to Flagship Pioneering

1

Highlight specific examples where you've productionized AI/ML models for biological target identification or validation, not just research projects

2

Demonstrate your understanding of somatic genomics by discussing how you'd approach analyzing natural genetic diversity for therapeutic insights

3

Emphasize collaborative experiences with biologists and assay developers, showing you can bridge computational and wet lab worlds

4

Research Flagship Pioneering's portfolio companies and mention how Quotient's approach differs from or complements other AI-driven biotechs

5

Tailor your resume to show progression from AI/ML development to implementation in drug discovery pipelines, not just academic research

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with productionizing AI/ML models specifically for biological applications and drug discovery pipelines', 'Examples of successful cross-functional collaboration with biology, assay development, and data infrastructure teams', "How your approach to AI innovation aligns with Quotient's focus on leveraging somatic genetic diversity for therapeutic development", "Why you're excited about joining an early-stage Flagship Pioneering company versus established pharmaceutical organizations"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Flagship Pioneering's company creation model and portfolio companies (especially Moderna, Generate Biomedicines, Sana Biotechnology)
  • → Quotient's specific approach to somatic genomics and how it differs from traditional genomics-based drug discovery
  • → Recent publications or presentations by Quotient leadership about their therapeutic focus areas and technology platform
  • → The competitive landscape of AI-driven biotech companies and how Quotient's approach is distinctive

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through a specific project where you productionized an AI/ML model for target identification or validation in drug discovery
2 How would you approach building computational capabilities to analyze somatic genetic diversity for therapeutic insights?
3 Describe your experience collaborating with biologists and assay developers to validate computational predictions
4 What challenges have you faced when implementing AI solutions in biotech/pharma environments and how did you overcome them?
5 How do you balance innovation with practical implementation when developing computational tools for drug development pipelines?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on academic AI/ML research without demonstrating experience implementing solutions in biotech/pharma environments
  • Presenting as purely a technical AI expert without showing ability to collaborate deeply with biology and assay development teams
  • Using generic AI/biotech terminology without demonstrating specific understanding of somatic genomics or Quotient's unique approach

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Flagship Pioneering!

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