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DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. logo

Senior/Staff Statistician, Assay Development

Posted about 2 months ago

OfficePalo Alto, CASE150k - 215k USD

DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. (DELFI Diagnostics) is developing next-generation, blood-based tests that are reliable, accessible and deliver a new way to help detect cancer. Employing advanced machine-learning methods to whole-genome sequencing data, the DELFI ("DNA EvaLuation of Fragments for early Interception") platform is built to address the highest-burden health challenges. DELFI Diagnostics prioritizes solutions that have the potential to save lives on a global scale, including for historically underserved populations. DELFI Diagnostics’ platform relies on fragmentomics – the discovery that cancer cells are more chaotic than normal cells and, when they die, leave behind tell-tale patterns and characteristics of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments. FirstLook Lung, for individuals eligible for lung cancer screening, is DELFI Diagnostics’ first laboratory-developed screening test and can be part of routine blood work. FirstLook Lung uses millions of data points to reliably identify individuals who may have cancer detected through low-dose CT, including early stage disease with a negative predictive value of 99.8 percent. This test has not been cleared or approved by the FDA.

In our passionate pursuit to radically improve health outcomes, we serve humanity when we:

  • Lead with Science, Anchor in Pragmatism: We pioneer life-changing science by ensuring quality, transparency, and rigor at all times. We explore thoughtfully, experiment smartly, and deliver impact with conviction.

  • Build With & For All: We embrace diverse backgrounds to innovate and achieve together. We are not just building a product - we aim to disrupt the path of cancer for all - no matter geography or socioeconomic class 

  • Put We over I: We are a home for high-performing people. Through teamwork, we build collective intelligence. Each of us wins when those we serve and those who serve with us--win. We show up with empathy, humility, and integrity at every step of the journey.

### About the role

We're hiring an experienced statistician to play a key role in the analytical validation of our cancer detection assays, partnering across assay development, lab operations, software, regulatory, and data science. The ideal candidate will provide statistical leadership on complex AV problems, set standards for how studies are designed and analyzed at DELFI, and mentor junior team members.

### What you'll do
  • Design and execute analytical validation studies across our assay development pipeline, partnering with lab, software, regulatory, and data science teams.

  • Apply and develop statistical methods suited to NGS-based assays and liquid biopsy platforms.

  • Define and apply rigorous, pre-specified acceptance criteria and sample size calculations for assay performance.

  • Author statistical analysis plans, study reports, and regulatory submissions for both LDT and IVD pathways, and serve as an internal statistical consultant across functions.

  • Familiarity with IVD regulatory requirements and analytical validation standards (e.g., CLSI guidelines, FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IVDR).

  • Provide statistical leadership on complex or novel analytical validation problems, set standards for how AV studies are designed and analyzed at DELFI, and mentor junior team members.

  • ### What you'll bring

    Required

  • Doctoral degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, or a related field with 2+ years of industry experience; or Master's with 5+ years of industry experience

  • Experience designing and analyzing applied statistical studies in analytical validation

  • Proficiency in R, Python is a plus

  • Strong written and verbal communication, including translating statistical reasoning for non-statistical audiences.

  • Strong critical thinking, ability to manage multiple priorities independently, and a collaborative working style.

  • Assay validation experience in a regulated environment (LDT or IVD), and familiarity with relevant CLSI guidelines.

  • Preferred

  • Experience with NGS-based assays or liquid biopsy platforms.

  • Experience with FDA pre-submission meetings or direct agency interactions.

  • Ability to develop novel statistical methods from first principles.

  • Publications or presentations in diagnostic statistics, analytical validation or clinical validation.

  • We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
    Job details
    Workplace
    Office
    Location
    Palo Alto, CA
    Experience
    SE
    Salary
    150k - 215k USD
    per year
    DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. logo
    DELFI Diagnostics, Inc.
    View company page

    DELFI Diagnostics uses the power of AI, machine learning and next-generation liquid biopsy to screen, detect and monitor cancer in a whole new way.

    Employees
    157
    Industry
    Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
    Headquarters
    Palo Alto, California
    Founded
    2019
    Company location
    1810 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, California 94303, US
    Specialties
    Biotechnology, Clinical Trials, Clinical Research, Cancer Screening, Monitoring Research, Laboratory-Developed Tests, Liquid Biopsy Tests, and AI and Machine Learning

    Key team members

    Gordon Baldwin

    Gordon Baldwin

    Sumant Turlapati

    Sumant Turlapati

    Wouter Meuleman

    Wouter Meuleman

    Maricar Pacquing, DO

    Maricar Pacquing, DO

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