Job Description

Jivanu Therapeutics · Bengaluru / Manipal, India · Full-time
About Jivanu
Jivanu is clinical-stage start-up company building India’s first microbiome diagnostics-and-therapeutics
platform: deep whole-genome metagenomic sequencing (WGMS), an AI-driven recommendation engine,
an India-relevant reference cohort, oral FMT capsule manufacturing, and a deep R&D pipeline of next-
generation probiotics, donor-independent microbial consortia, and engineered live biotherapeutics,
addressing global markets where India is currently absent at the frontier.
The role
We are looking for a Senior computational biologist to lead the computational backbone of Jivanu’s
platform. You will lead the development of our computational analytics and bioinformatics pipelines,
creating innovative methodologies that power a robust, clinically deployable platform for microbiome
multi-omics analysis. Your work will span the design and optimization of our WGMS profiling pipelines,
advancement of our recommendation engine, and the creation of a uniquely India-relevant reference
cohort. You will also drive computational programs supporting consortium design, strain selection, and
engineered biotherapeutics development.
As the platform grows, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a computational biology team while
working closely with the founders on scientific and product strategy. This is a chance to shape genuinely
novel science using one of the world’s most distinctive microbiome datasets, with products designed for
both Indian patients and global markets.
Key computational platforms

• WGMS profiling platform. End-to-end design, implementation, and clinical-grade scaling of our deep
  whole-genome metagenomic sequencing pipelines covering quality control, assembly, taxonomic and
  functional profiling, longitudinal tracking, and clinical reporting.
• AI recommendation engine. Lead the continued development of the engine that translates
  microbiome profiles into personalized diet, prebiotic, probiotic, supplement, and therapeutic
  recommendations, including disease-specific modules, model evaluation, and integration of clinical
  history.
• India reference cohort. Lead the construction, curation, and scientific use of an India-relevant
  microbiome reference cohort: a foundational asset for everything downstream, and a globally
  distinctive dataset that does not exist today.
• Therapeutics-side computation. Drive the computational design and selection of next-generation
  probiotic strains, donor-independent microbial consortia, and engineered live biotherapeutics,
  including comparative genomics, metabolic modeling, ecological dynamics, and target-trait
  optimization.
• Engineering rigor. Set the standard for reproducibility, version control, containerization, workflow
  orchestration, and data infrastructure as the platform scales from research code to clinical and
  regulated environments.
• Team and scientific direction. Hire, mentor, and lead the computational biology team; partner with
  the founders on scientific roadmap, publications, IP, and external scientific collaborations.
  Required Qualifications
• A computational biologist with a PhD and several years of postdoctoral, faculty, or industry research
  experience, ideally with deep microbiome, metagenomics, or microbial-genomics work.
• Direct experience in microbiome and metagenomics analysis, including WGMS, 16S sequencing,
  strain-level analysis, functional profiling, and longitudinal modeling.
• Strong experience building and operating scalable bioinformatics pipelines on real-world datasets
  using Python and/or R, Unix/Linux environments, workflow managers (Nextflow, Snakemake, or
  equivalent), containerization tools (Docker, Singularity), and cloud platforms such as AWS or GCP.
• Practical expertise applying statistical modeling and machine learning approaches to high-
  dimensional biological data, with strong judgment on methodological selection and interpretation.
• Ability to independently scope problems, prioritize impactful work, execute effectively, and
  communicate findings clearly to clinicians, wet-lab scientists, and non-specialists.
  Preferred Qualifications & Skills
• Someone returning to India, or considering returning, after meaningful time at leading research
  environments globally: for example top-tier universities, national labs, or biotech/pharma R&D groups
  in the U.S., U.K., continental Europe, Japan, Singapore, Australia, or elsewhere.
• Accomplished computational biologist already in India who has been waiting for a scientifically
  ambitious, founder-led platform to build alongside.
• Demonstrated technical depth in computational biology, metagenomics, microbial genomics, or a
  related field through publications, software, deployed systems, or significant industry contributions.
• Experience working with engineered microbes, microbial consortia design, or genome-scale metabolic
  modeling.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving early-stage startup environment, with enthusiasm for building
  systems, processes, and teams from the ground up.
• Familiarity with regulated clinical and diagnostic environments, including CLIA, CAP, CDSCO, FDA, or
  equivalent validation and compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor scientists and contribute to building high-performing scientific or
  computational teams.
  Location
  Bengaluru or Manipal.
  How to apply
  Please send a CV and a cover letter describing your prior relevant experience to hr@jivanutx.com , why
  this role interests you, and links to any published work, software, or open-source contributions you are
  proud of. References will be requested later in the process.