Senior Scientist, Bioinformatics

Kenai Therapeutics is seeking a skilled and versatile computational biologist to join our highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and dynamic team advancing next-generation allogeneic cell therapies for neurological diseases. As Senior Scientist of Bioinformatics, the ideal candidate will drive computational analysis and pipeline development across CMC and research programs. This candidate brings scientific rigor, deep hands-on expertise in single-cell and multiomics analysis, and a strong foundation in statistics and machine learning to generate actionable insights that inform therapeutic decision-making. This role requires exceptional technical skills, a proven ability to communicate complex findings across scientific disciplines, and a desire to thrive in a small, fast-moving organization where flexibility and initiative are essential.Key Responsibilities:Design, implement, and maintain scalable, reproducible pipelines for single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and integrative multiomics data analysis, from raw data through biological interpretationApply statistical modeling and machine learning approaches to large-scale omics datasets to identify biomarkers, characterize cellular heterogeneity, and aid process developmentLeverage AI-based tools and platforms to accelerate research workflows, automate analyses, and enhance software development productivityPerform complex data interpretation across modalities (scRNA-seq, genomics, spatial omics, proteomics) and translate findings into actionable insights for programs and leadershipPartner closely with manufacturing and research teams to align computational efforts with therapeutic objectives and program prioritiesContribute to data infrastructure strategy, supporting robust systems for data storage, integration, traceability, and long-term analyticsCommunicate results effectively through internal presentations, and cross-functional meetings; distill complex analyses into clear narratives for diverse audiencesRequirementsPh.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, statistics, or a related quantitative discipline with 3-5+ years of relevant industry experienceSelf-motivated, hardworking, and adaptableStrong foundation in statistics and machine learning, including supervised and unsupervised methods, dimensionality reduction, and model evaluationDeep hands-on experience with single-cell analysis frameworks (e.g., Scanpy, Seurat, scVI) and associated workflows across the full analytical lifecycleStrong proficiency in Python and R for data analysis, visualization, and pipeline development; Javascript experience is a plusDemonstrated experience supporting drug discovery and development programs with computational and bioinformatic analysesProficiency in utilizing AI and large language model-based tools for research acceleration and software developmentExcellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical work to both computational and non-computational audiencesStrong team player with a collaborative mindset and a commitment to working in a small, tight-knit, and high-performing team environmentPreferredBackground in neuroscience, developmental biology, or related areas of disease biologyExperience in cell therapy research, manufacturing analytics, or related cell-based therapeutic modalitiesFamiliarity with spatial transcriptomics platforms (e.g., 10x Visium, Xenium, MERFISH) and integrative multiomics approachesTrack record of scientific contributions evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, or conference presentationsBenefitsKenai Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.