Introduction:

Flagship Pioneering has a long legacy of founding companies at the forefront of artificial intelligence. We are now applying that expertise to launch and build platform companies in areas beyond therapeutics, where AI has the potential to unlock solutions to intractable global challenges. Our current non-therapeutic portfolio spans physical health, mental health, biosensors, devices, product innovation, and tech-enabled workflows of the future. We strive to be at the forefront of both technological innovations led by AI/ML, and company origination that translates technology into value-creating platforms.

Position Summary: 

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative individual to join our team as an interdisciplinary AI/ML-focused Associate. This entrepreneurial professional will ideate, research and refine novel venture hypotheses, develop business cases and technical roadmaps, and co-lead a new company origination to launch. Successful candidates will demonstrate deep understanding of the latest developments across technical disciplines (including cutting-edge AI/ML), coupled with strategic acumen on value creation and a willingness to embrace uncertainty to advance our mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Venture Hypothesis Ideation and Validation:

• Lead explorations to rapidly ideate around innovation utilizing AI/ML and computation to create outsized impact, and develop novel, actionable and high value venture hypotheses
• Perform computational proof-of-concept experiments to de-risk and refine venture hypotheses
• Research the competitive landscape, formulate an initial value creation strategy and operational plan, and develop a pitch for the new venture creation working alongside a Partner/Principal on the venture creation team

New Company Origination and Operation:

• Lead development team (internal or external) on daily research and platform building
• Work closely with Flagship operations team (Finance, IP, IT, HR, etc.) to oversee day-to-day company operation, and manage across development team and stakeholders
• Manage operational and strategic risks proactively, including: identifying proof-of-concept strategy, anticipating potential technical hurdles, pre-emptively seeking support and planning for alternative options
• Define and evolve value-creation opportunity, including interacting with internal and external stakeholders to develop product-market fit, alongside a Principal or Partner
• Clearly communicate progress and risks to Flagship leadership on a regular basis

Capability Building and Team Building:

• Stay up to date on the latest technology developments and novel applications of AI/ML and other technologies across domains of interest
• Contribute to team building efforts, including: mentoring summer fellows, contributing to overall business unit strategy, and collaborating with our internal Center of Excellence on AI/ML knowledge sharing and research

Qualifications: 

• PhD or Master’s in technical fields (Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics)
• Experience working in an entrepreneurial environment and demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship
• Hands-on experience developing and building technically challenging projects (software and/or physical products)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills, across verbal, written and PowerPoint presentation
• Ability to navigate complex information, relentlessly prioritize, and thoughtfully handle ambiguity
• A passion for innovation and a willingness to explore uncharted territories

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. with 2+ years of experience in post-doc, tech, or a related tech-centered industry preferred.
• Experience with cutting-edge algorithms (e.g., LLM, diffusion model), reinforcement learning, causal inference
• Prior experience as a Founder/Co-Founder

What We Offer: 

• Make an impact as part of a Fortune “Change the World” company
• Surround yourself with inspirational colleagues and leaders
• A dynamic and innovative work environment, with an exciting startup culture as well as the full support and expertise from Flagship ecosystem
• A platform to grow, learn, and lead

Location:  Cambridge, MA

More about Flagship Pioneering:

Flagship Pioneering is a biotechnology company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com  

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. 

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

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