Position:

Head of AI Location:

Newark, CA Job Id:

431 # of

Openings:

0 Head of AI About Us Protagonist Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company built on a proprietary peptide technology platform that has now produced two FDA-approved, first-in-class medicines, generating royalties and milestones from global commercial partnerships with Johnson and Johnson and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. ICOTYDE ™ (icotrokinra), licensed to Johnson & Johnson company Janssen Biotech, Inc., is the first and only targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor. ICOTYDE was launched in the U.S. in March 2026 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older and is in Phase 3 development for psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. ICOTYDE was jointly discovered by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists, with Protagonist having primary responsibility for the development of ICOTYDE through Phase 1, and Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for further clinical and regulatory development and commercialization. Protagonist also discovered and led research and development through Phase 3 for MIMRYLO ™ (rusfertide), a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic peptide licensed to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for worldwide commercialization. MIMRYLO is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of erythrocytosis in adults with PV. The Company also has a number of clinical and preclinical programs based on clinically and commercially validated targets and addressing unmet medical needs, including an oral IL-17 antagonist peptide, anti-obesity dual and triple agonists, an oral hepcidin functional mimetic, and the recently announced IL-4 and amylin discovery programs. More information on Protagonist, its pipeline drug candidates, and clinical studies can be found on the Company's website at https://www.protagonist-inc.com . Position Summary This role is accountable for delivering production-ready AI solutions that drive measurable business impact, not just strategy or advisory work. The individual will lead the design and deployment of AI-enabled products, platforms, and capabilities that enhance effectiveness and efficiency across R D, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal, and Corporate Functions. This role sits at the intersection of technology, science, operations, and governance. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on execution, ensuring AI initiatives move beyond experimentation to scalable, durable solutions aligned with the needs of a lean, clinical-stage biotech.

First-year priorities:

Identify and prioritize 2-3 high-impact AI use cases across the organization Launch initial pilots and drive at least one solution into production deployment Establish a practical AI operating model, including governance, vendor strategy, and cross-functional engagement Build early adoption and trust by delivering clear, measurable wins We are committed to a thriving in-office culture. This role requires being on-site at our office in Newark, CA 4 days a week. Responsibilities Enterprise AI Strategy & Vision Define and own AI and digital transformation strategy aligned with corporate and scientific priorities Identify high-impact use cases and prioritize based on value, feasibility, and risk Develop a focused, right-sized roadmap balancing speed and scalability AI Product Development & Deployment Lead the design, build, and deployment of AI-enabled products and tools Ensure solutions are production-ready, adopted, secure, and maintainable Drive delivery of solutions that improve productivity, speed, and decision-making quality Partner with internal teams and external vendors to build applications across analytics, automation, and decision support Cross‑Functional Enablement Embed AI into workflows across R D, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Finance, Legal, HR, and IT Translate business and scientific needs into actionable technical requirements Build trust through practical, explainable, and usable solutions Data, Infrastructure & Governance Partner with IT, Data, Legal, and Compliance teams to ensure robust data architecture, security, and access controls Establish AI governance frameworks addressing model validation, bias, data provenance, regulatory scrutiny, and ethical use Ensure compliance with global regulations, data privacy laws, and evolving AI‑related regulatory expectations Leadership, Team & Culture Build and lead a high‑performing AI and digital function (internal and/or external), including data scientists, engineers, and product leaders Upskill the broader organization through education, change management, and practical AI literacy Serve as a thought partner to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors on AI‑related opportunities and risks Measurement & Value Realization Define success metrics and KPIs for AI initiatives, with clear accountability for outcomes Track adoption, performance, ROI, and risk across deployed AI solutions Continuously refine strategy based on results, organizational maturity, and technological advances Required Skills & Qualifications Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MS, PhD, MBA) strongly preferred in fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Life Sciences, or related disciplines 10+ years of experience spanning technology, data, or digital transformation Experience building and deploying AI or advanced analytics solutions into production environments Demonstrated ability to drive AI adoption across multiple business functions Experience in heavily regulated industries (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, financial services, or similar) strongly preferred Strong understanding of modern AI/ML technologies, data platforms, and product development lifecycles Deep appreciation for governance, ethics, security, and regulatory considerations associated with AI Executive presence and credibility with C‑suite leaders and Boards of Directors Exceptional ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business value Pragmatic, outcomes‑oriented mindset with a bias toward execution High integrity, sound judgment, and comfort operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments Pay Range The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $250,000 and $310,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Benefits A top priority for Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. is to provide a robust and comprehensive health and wellness program for our employees and their families. We offer a variety of high-quality coverage and benefit options. Health Care benefits. Protagonist covers 100% of the premium cost for medical, dental, and vision coverage for all full-time employees and their dependents. Flexible Spending Accounts - Healthcare FSA, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits 401(k) Plan Flexible Vacation Policy Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Short Term & Long Term Disability Company paid lunch and snacks Apply for this Position