Director, Quality Assurance at Karius Inc

About Karius

Karius is a venture-backed life science startup that is transforming the way pathogens and other microbes are observed throughout the body. By unlocking the information present in microbial cell-free DNA, we're helping doctors quickly solve their most challenging cases, providing industry partners with access to the microbial landscape to accelerate biomarker discovery and clinical trials, discover novel microbes, to ultimately reduce patient suffering worldwide.

Position Summary

The Director, Quality Assurance will lead all quality activities at Karius. This person will collaborate with all functions to manage a quality system to support the company’s diagnostic assay development activities, ultimately resulting in systems that are both FDA-QSR compliant as well as CLIA/CAP compliant. This person will additionally define and build the quality team, and lead them in the operation and management of the quality function. The ideal candidate will have experience building such systems from the ground up, and be comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup environment.

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 Executive Officer

Location: Redwood City, CA

Primary Responsibilities

1. Define and build the quality team that will be needed to achieve company goals.
2. Lead the implementation, management, and operation of Karius’ quality function for compliance with both FDA-QSR and CLIA/CAP/NYSDOH.
3. Develop and plan innovative quality and regulatory strategies in life cycle product management for clinical metagenomic tests.
4. Manage all aspects of the quality assurance lifecycle including scheduling, planning, issuing agendas, executing, issuing reports, evaluating responses, requesting clarification, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and closing.
5. Promote awareness across the commercial and clinical manufacturing platform(s) of current regulatory agency requirements and trends and develop and report on the trends identified.
6. Ensure continuous improvement of the QA systems and processes, by establishing Key Performance Indicators to monitor compliance and efficiency.
7. Collaborate with R&D, product, manufacturing, clinical, and regulatory teams to ensure quality standards are integrated throughout the product life cycle.
8. Work closely with other departments to address quality issues and implement CAPA.
9. Ensure CAPA identified during audits to address compliance concerns identified during audits are commensurate with current industry practices and benchmarks.
10. Develop Karius’ global quality policy & standards, supporting the company mission to deliver unprecedented insight to enable clinicians to make rapid life-saving treatment decisions.
11. Act as technical expert in quality processes, guiding cross-functional teams in process development, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
12. Work across teams to ensure efforts are synchronized with Karius quality procedures, resulting in a single harmonized quality function for the company.
13. Lead batch record review, lot disposition, material release, internal audit program, deviation handling, change controls, and quality events processes.

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 10%.

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

1. 8+ years of Quality Management, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control leadership experience in Diagnostics, Biotechnology, or relatable life sciences fields. Regulatory experience is highly preferred.
2. BS in molecular biology, microbiology or related field; advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred.
3. Experience with implementation, management and operation of FDA-compliant and LDT quality systems. ISO 13485 experience a plus.
4. Experience in a quality assurance role, bringing an In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) product (or products) through the FDA process.
5. Experience preparing for and managing audit visits by certification bodies or regulators, demonstrated by successful completion of audits or successful certification.
6. Strong understanding of diagnostic assay development and production processes.
7. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects in a fast-paced startup environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Personal Qualifications

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
2. Ability to proactively communicate in a consistent, clear, and honest manner.
3. Flexible and adaptive in a frequently changing environment.
4. Comfortable in a fast-paced small company environment with minimal direction and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities.
5. Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership in areas of responsibility.

Disclaimer

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Responsibilities and duties may change or be adjusted to meet the needs of the company, and additional duties may be assigned as necessary. The job description is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Karius.

At Karius, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and provide equal employment opportunity 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 disability, please contact us at recruiting@kariusdx.com and we will accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.