Director, Screening and High Content Analysis

As the Director, Screening and High Content Analysis, you will lead the development and execution of NGNRI’s high-content screening platform, driving target discovery and therapeutic development using advanced organoid and cell-based models.

This role will design and scale automated screening workflows that integrate high-content imaging, quantitative image analysis, and data science approaches, including AI-driven methods. As a scientific and technical leader, you will ensure seamless integration of screening capabilities with NGNRI’s broader research platforms and strategic priorities.

This is a key leadership position with a clear mandate: to build and manage robust, high throughput screening and analysis systems that accelerate the discovery of therapeutic targets and compounds for NF1 and related neurological disorders.

About the role 

• Establish and lead NGNRI’s high-content imaging and screening platform

• Design and implement automated screening workflows for organoid and cell-based assays

• Develop and optimize imaging assays, phenotypic readouts, and quantitative analysis pipelines

• Integrate AI/ML-based approaches for image analysis and pattern recognition

• Ensure scalability, robustness, and reproducibility of screening pipelines

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Cell Culture and Organoids to align biological models with screening requirements

• Recruit, train, and manage a multidisciplinary team (biologists, imaging scientists, data analysts)

• Oversee data management, storage, and analysis pipelines, ensuring accessibility and integrity

• Partner with internal and external researchers to design screening campaigns for target identification and drug discovery

• Continuously evaluate emerging technologies in imaging, automation, and computational analysis

• Contribute to interpretation of screening results and downstream validation strategies

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, data governance, and ethical standards

About you 

• High integrity and commitment to scientific excellence 

• Innovative and technology-driven mindset 

• Strong leadership and team development skills 

• Collaborative and interdisciplinary approach 

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills 

• Adaptable and results-driven 

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in high-content imaging, phenotypic screening, or related 

• fields 

• Proven track record in designing and executing automated screening campaigns 

• Expertise in image analysis tools and platforms (e.g., CellProfiler, ImageJ, Python

• based pipelines, or equivalent) 

• Experience with AI/ML approaches applied to biological imaging data is highly 

• desirable 

• Experience working with complex biological systems such as organoids or stem cell

• derived models is a strong asset 

• Demonstrated leadership experience in academic, biotech, or pharmaceutical 

• environments 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities 

• Experience managing large datasets and computational workflows 

• Familiarity with drug discovery pipelines is advantageous 

• PhD in bioengineering, computational biology, neuroscience, cell biology, or related discipline

What you’ll get 

Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We’ve got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks. 

About us 

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery. 
 
Located within a new, state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities. 
 
NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science within a vibrant and expanding hub.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time.  Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.  Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at Careers@Rocket.com.