Karius
Vice President, Medical Affairs
About Karius
Karius is a private life sciences company pioneering the use of microbial cell-free metagenomics to revolutionize diagnosis and management of infectious diseases, improve and accelerate clinical trials advancing prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, and identify new biomarkers. Using a routine blood sample the Karius Test can rapidly and non-invasively identify and quantitate >1500 bacterial, DNA-based viral, fungal, and parasitic human pathogens.
Position Summary
The VP, Medical Affairs, is responsible for leading a talented team of professionals in identifying and using data to create and communicate important medical and scientific insights about the use of microbial cell-free metagenomic testing for diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. These insights are intended to accelerate commercial adoption of the Karius Test by: 1) increasing medical knowledge, educating laboratory and clinical communities, and influencing healthcare policies; 2) improving Karius Test performance through product improvements, and related R&D efforts; and 3) improving the clinician experience in using the Karius Test.
The VP, Medical Affairs assures that the Medical Affairs is a key Karius strategic asset, and is prepared to support Karius’s current and future needs for medical support. This role requires building and maintaining a high performing team within Medical Affairs as well as managing complex internal and external collaborations. Within Karius, the VP, Medical Affairs, will work closely with Clinical Affairs, Commercial, Strategy & Product, R&D, Quality & Regulatory, as well as Software & Analytics. Outside of Karius the VP, Medical Affairs, will work with customers and other key stakeholders including clinical laboratories, key opinion leaders (KOLs), professional societies, regulatory authorities, public and private payers, and other government organizations.
Why Should You Join Us?
Karius aims to conquer infectious diseases through innovations around genomic sequencing and machine learning. The Company’s platform is already delivering unprecedented insights into the microbial landscape, providing clinicians with a comprehensive test capable of identifying more than a thousand pathogens directly from blood, and helping industry accelerate the development of therapeutic solutions. The Karius test we provide today is one of the most advanced solutions available to physicians who aim to deliver better care to many otherwise ineffectively treated patients. Our test is the result of some incredible work done by our scientists, statisticians, engineers, and physicians, all driven by the same mission. You, as part of the Karius team, will be able to see how directly your work has a life-changing impact on people, and at scale.
Reports to: Chief Medical Officer
Location: Redwood City, CA or Remote
Primary Responsibilities
● Define the Medical Affairs strategy, plans, and tactics aligned with the corporate objectives.
● Develop and manage the Medical Affairs budget including oversight of planning, forecasting and monitoring with responsibilities for optimal resource allocation.
● Oversee the team responsible for preparing and giving clinical and scientific presentations for external educational programs and at scientific meetings and medical conferences.
● Assess medical/scientific educational needs to develop strategy and ensure execution of programs to support internal/external training and engagement.
● Attract, hire, develop and mentor a high performing medical affairs team that embraces challenges and values innovative problem-solving with a commitment to organizational success.
● Oversee the medical publications’ strategy, provide medical direction, review and approve materials for medical/scientific presentations and publications.
● Provide leadership in collaboration with clinical development and other stakeholders in developing the clinical evidence strategy.
● Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key opinion leaders, through professional associations, professional meetings and conferences; apply KOL input and feedback to Medical activities.
● Identify and recommend physicians and KOLs as participants of advisory boards and speaker bureaus on Karius’s products and other medical/scientific topics.
● Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with advisors, consultants, investigators, expert guest speakers and business development partners.
● Ensure compliance with evolving Company, industry, and regulatory requirements and policies.
What’s Fun About the Job?
Karius is operating at the edge of what is now known to be possible in infectious disease diagnostics. With that, comes a wave of new and incredible challenges and opportunities. To deliver on that value, you will be tapping into some of the most advanced technologies, architecting and innovating where the current solutions simply don't suffice. You will get to see how much your work really matters.
Travel: Travel required up to 40%.
Physical Requirements
Subject to extended periods of sitting and/or standing, vision to monitor and moderate noise levels. Work is generally performed in an office, lab or clinical environment.
Position Requirements
● A relevant doctoral-level degree with relevant clinical experience, including leadership roles in clinical microbiology, antimicrobial stewardship and/or infectious disease (ID) medicine, oncology, or transplantation.
● 8+ years medical management experience and 5+ years experience in health systems, clinical laboratory, and/or life science markets, preferred.
● Experience in genomics, diagnostics (including Laboratory Developed Tests and In Vitro Devices, for inpatients and outpatients), cell-free DNA-based applications or similar applied in medical fields is strongly preferred.
● Strong publication record in respected journals related to clinical microbiology, pathology, infectious disease, or oncology preferred.
● Thought leader and strong presence in the field as evidenced by speaking invitations, journal editorial positions and/or professional society leadership roles.
● Ability to develop, influence and maintain relationships in the infectious disease community with significant key opinion leaders.
● A strong track record of hiring, assessing, training and developing high performing teams.
● Expertise in scientific and clinical data review and interpretation.
● Experience writing clinical study reports, poster presentations, and manuscripts for publication in a scientific journal preferred.
● Strong knowledge of existing laws, regulations and policies applicable to the diagnostics industry.
● Strong commitment to ethics and compliance.
Personal Qualifications
● Passionate, purpose-driven, and excited about Karius’s mission.
● Excellent written and verbal communication and organization skills, project management skills, with an analytical and problem solving mindset.
● Ability to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions and recommendations.
● Excellent analytical skills and solid experience in translating medical/scientific information into medical affairs and clinical development strategies.
● Outstanding communication skills including public speaking, written communication, and interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate technical concepts with clarity and accuracy.
● Strong business acumen and use of business analytics to prioritize, lead and influence.
● Role model for Karius culture and values.
At Karius, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and are committed to honor and invest in the full diversity of people, in our hiring, recruiting and development of employees across the Company. All qualified applicants for employment are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity and gender expression (including transgender individuals who are transitioning, have transitioned, or are perceived to be transitioning to the gender with which they identify), religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application due to a
Karius builds diagnostic solutions utilizing clinical metagenomics to enhance patient care by providing critical microbial insights. Targeting healthcare providers and researchers, our technology aims to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, making accurate information more accessible and actionable.
- Founded
- Founded 2014
- Employees
- 51-200 employees
- Industry
- Internet Software & Services
- Total raised
- $250M raised