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- Tasks: Lead scientific research in genetics and develop innovative algorithms for DNA products.
- Company: MyHeritage, a global leader in family history and consumer DNA testing.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid work environment, collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Remote management of an Israel-based team with occasional travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of ancestry discovery and connect millions with their heritage through science.
- Qualifications: Ph.D. in Genetics or related field, with strong leadership and hands-on experience in population genetics.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
About MyHeritage MyHeritage is a global leader in family history and consumer DNA testing, enriching the lives of millions worldwide by enabling them to uncover more about themselves and where they belong. With a suite of intuitive products, billions of historical records, an affordable at-home DNA test, and AI-powered photo tools, MyHeritage creates a meaningful discovery experience that is deeply rewarding.
Position Overview We are looking for a Director of Science to guide MyHeritage’s scientific research and development in genetics. This role is central to building innovative algorithms, driving rigorous data analysis, and advancing the scientific methodologies that power our DNA products - including ethnicity estimation, relationship inference, local ancestry, and more. The ideal candidate combines deep scientific expertise in population and statistical genetics with strong leadership and a proven ability to execute in a dynamic, consumer-facing environment. Your work will directly impact millions of users worldwide, helping them discover their ancestry and connect with family through science. You’ll apply cutting-edge methods to analyze millions of DNA samples and family trees, leveraging one of the largest consumer genetics datasets in the world.
Key Responsibilities
- Scientific leadership: Define and execute the scientific roadmap aligned with company goals.
- Team leadership: Manage and mentor a team of senior scientists and data scientists. Provide technical direction, support professional growth, and foster a culture of scientific excellence.
- Algorithmic research: Lead the design, development and optimization of scalable, production-ready algorithms and pipelines including ancestry inference, relationship classifiers, imputation and phasing of genetic data and additional models to support genetic genealogy.
- Collaboration and communication: Work closely with engineering, product, and data teams to translate research outcomes into user-facing features and tools. Clearly communicate scientific concepts and progress internally and externally.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Strong, hands-on experience in human population genetics and analysis of genotyping and/or sequencing data is essential. We are specifically looking for candidates with a demonstrated track record in this domain.
- Ph.D. in Genetics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
- Experience with population genetics and analysis of genotyping or sequencing data.
- 5+ years of experience in scientific research, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
- Strong background in: Analysis of genotyping or sequencing data, Genomic data pipelines and bioinformatics tools, Machine learning or statistical modeling applied to biological data.
- Experience working with large-scale genomic datasets.
- Proficiency in Python and familiarity with production-scale computational pipelines.
- Familiarity with tools such as Snakemake, Airflow, or other pipeline managers is an advantage.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively across disciplines.
- Experience with AWS is an advantage.
Why Join Us?
- Join a purpose-driven company helping people discover their heritage through the power of science.
- Be part of a collaborative, international team driven by innovation and scientific discovery.
- Enjoy a hybrid work environment with flexibility and autonomy.
Additional Information This role involves remote management of an Israel-based team. The position includes occasional travel to Israel, as needed.
Director of Science employer: MyHeritage
Contact Detail:
MyHeritage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Science
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand MyHeritage's mission and how your expertise in genetics can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show how you can make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience managing teams and driving scientific projects. Highlight specific examples where you've led successful initiatives that align with the role of Director of Science.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at MyHeritage.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Science
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Science: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for genetics and scientific research shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at MyHeritage to help people discover their ancestry through science.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of Science role. Highlight your relevant experience in population genetics and leadership skills, and don’t forget to mention any innovative projects you've led that relate to our work.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. Clearly communicate your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at MyHeritage.
How to prepare for a job interview at MyHeritage
✨Know Your Genetics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of human population genetics and the latest advancements in DNA analysis. Be prepared to discuss specific algorithms and methodologies you've worked with, as well as how they can be applied to MyHeritage's products.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director of Science, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully guided a team through complex projects or fostered a culture of scientific excellence.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice explaining complex scientific concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate effectively with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to articulate your ideas clearly is crucial.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about how you would work with engineering, product, and data teams. Have examples ready that showcase your collaborative approach and how you’ve translated research into user-facing features in previous roles.