Head of Scientific Research

Head of Research

Location: Chicago, IL (On-site)
Compensation: $125,000–$200,000 base salary + up to 1% equity stock options
Benefits: Health insurance, PTO, parental leave, equity.

Orion Group is partnering with a life sciences startup to fill their Head of Research role, with a focus on leveraging gut microbiome technologies (GutLab and MetaBiome) to advance personalized medicine.

Role Summary
This is a hands-on scientific leadership position responsible for leading laboratory operations and research while scaling the company's sample-to-answer multi-omics platform.

The Head of Research reports directly to executive leadership and is accountable for research strategy, laboratory execution, and operational scalability across metagenomics and meta-transcriptomics.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, validate, and optimize molecular multi-omics pipelines for fecal samples.
• Build scalable laboratory and sample-handling workflows.
• Lead laboratory operations and scientific research initiatives.
• Translate research findings into strategic priorities for executive leadership.
• Drive scientific input into product development and roadmap planning.
• Present complex scientific concepts to executives, investors, and business stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop scientists and research associates while building a high-performing research organization.
• Ensure scientific rigor while balancing operational execution in a startup environment.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or MS in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 5+ years of industry experience (not purely academic).
• Deep expertise in one or more of:
  • Metagenomics
  • Meta-transcriptomics
  • Multi-omics technologies
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
  • Molecular biology workflows
  • Data interpretation
• Prior experience leading or mentoring scientific teams.
• Strong execution mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Strategic thinking combined with operational leadership.

 


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Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.