Company: TESA Research Inc.
Location: Park City, UT (on-site/hybrid/remote)
Reports To: Chief Scientific Officer / CEO
Employment Type: Full-Time
About TESA Research
TESA Research Inc. is an early-stage company developing proprietary computational and analytical approaches to advance the study and treatment of cancer. We are building a world-class team to translate genomic insight into actionable biological and therapeutic understanding.
Position Summary
TESA Research is seeking a VP of Cancer Genomics to serve as the company's scientific lead on cancer genomics, providing deep biological expertise to interpret data generated by TESA's proprietary algorithms, guide asset evaluation for potential acquisition, and represent TESA in external research collaborations. This is a high-impact, cross-functional leadership role for a scientist who is equally comfortable at the bench, in the boardroom, and in front of the data.
Key Responsibilities
- Data Interpretation & Biological Context: Partner closely with the computational/data science team to analyze output from TESA's proprietary algorithms, providing expert biological interpretation of genomic and cytogenetic findings.
- Pathway & Drug Interaction Analysis: Apply deep knowledge of cancer-relevant molecular pathways and cytogenetics to assess how candidate drugs and compounds interact with these pathways, informing target validation and mechanism-of-action hypotheses.
- Asset Evaluation: Participate in scientific due diligence for potential acquisitions, licensing opportunities, and in-licensing of external assets, assessing scientific merit, novelty, and strategic fit.
- External Partnerships: Represent TESA in research collaborations, academic partnerships, and industry alliances; identify and cultivate new collaborative relationships that advance the company's scientific goals.
- Grant Writing & Non-Dilutive Funding: Contribute to the preparation and writing of grant applications (e.g., SBIR/STTR, NIH, foundation grants) to support non-dilutive funding strategies.
- Scientific Leadership: Help shape TESA's cancer genomics research strategy, and contribute to a strong internal scientific culture through collaborative publications.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with leadership, data science, and (as applicable) clinical/regulatory teams to align genomic insights with company strategy and drug development priorities.
Qualifications
Required:
- PhD in Genomics, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Genetics, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience in the genomic study of cancer (e.g., tumor genomics, somatic mutation analysis, genomic instability)
- Strong working knowledge of biological pathway analysis
- Understanding of how therapeutic compounds interact with and modulate cancer-relevant biological pathways
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience translating complex genomic data into clear biological narratives for varied audiences (scientific, business, and funding stakeholders)
- Demonstrated ability to download, process, manipulate, and analyze large scale genomic datasets
- Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, resource-conscious early-stage company environment
Preferred:
- Prior experience in drug development (biotech, pharma, or academic translational research)
- Experience evaluating scientific assets for acquisition, in-licensing, or partnership (e.g., BD/scientific diligence experience)
- Track record of successful grant writing (NIH, SBIR/STTR, foundation, or equivalent)
- Experience building or participating in external research collaborations and consortia
- Familiarity with computational genomics tools, bioinformatics pipelines, or proprietary analytics platforms
What We Offer
- Meaningful equity ownership in an early-stage company with high growth potential
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience and company stage
- Significant autonomy and flexibility in how and when you work
- Direct influence over company strategy and direction as a member of the founding/early leadership team
- The opportunity to build something from the ground up and shape the scientific direction of a growing cancer genomics company
- Formal benefits package to be established as the company scales
TESA Research Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.