Lead – Digital Biomarkers, CBR Biomarker Centre of Excellence

Job category

Academia

Job location

India

Job type

Workplace type

Job description

The Centre for Brain Research (cbr-iisc.ac.in) at the Indian Institute of Science has embarked on a unique collaborative endeavour - a Biomarker Centre of Excellence in partnership with the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and with support from Gates Ventures. This ambitious initiative aims to establish a sophisticated platform for the discovery and validation of neurodegenerative disease biomarkers. In addition to plasma biomarkers, the Centre will also explore digital biomarkers to build a more comprehensive understanding of disease onset and progression. A unique strength of this Centre of Excellence is that it will function under the scientific guidance of Professor Henrik Zetterberg (UK DRI and University of Gothenburg), a globally recognised pioneer in biomarker research, and Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK DRI, both of whom are Visiting Faculty Members at CBR. The Centre will integrate the state-of-the-art in fluid biomarker assays, high-throughput proteomics, and AI-driven analytics with unique, diverse cohorts from India and the UK in order to accelerate breakthroughs in early diagnosis. It will foster cross-institutional partnerships, training, and knowledge exchange to build capacity and advance global brain health research. The Lead for Digital Biomarkers will spearhead the scientific direction, operational execution, and strategic expansion of the digital biomarker initiatives of the Centre of Excellence (CoE). This role requires robust expertise in digital health technologies and AI/ML and the ability to translate digital endpoints into impactful clinical research for neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular conditions. The Lead will oversee discovery, validation, and integration of digital biomarkers within broader translational workflows. The Lead will report to the Director of CBR.

Responsibilities:

• Cooperate with the CBR leadership in formulating and implementing the CoE’s scientific vision, research strategy, and long-term roadmap • Design, oversee, and validate digital biomarker projects across community and clinical cohorts • Formulate and maintain requisite standard operating procedures, quality assurance processes, and risk management frameworks • Stay informed of global trends in digital health and data-driven monitoring, integrating emerging tools into the CoE’s portfolio • Mentor a multidisciplinary team including data scientists, engineers, clinician researchers, and deployment specialists and support their professional development • Oversee the CoE’s operational and financial management (including budgets, procurement, and reporting to various stakeholders) related to digital biomarker pipelines • Ensure compliance with data privacy, regulatory, and ethical standards governing digital health in India and beyond • Collaborate with fluid biomarkers and imaging teams to create multi-modal biomarker profiles • Foster strong linkages with international networks and maintain active engagement with the UK DRI Fluid Biomarker Lab to ensure global alignment and collaborative growth • Build and nurture cordial relationships with collaborators and potential partners including research centres, academic institutions, clinical partners, technology providers, and vendor organisations • Represent the CoE in national and international meetings, disseminate research findings through publications and presentations • Contribute proactively to the broader vision of CBR, including capacity-building, outreach, and public engagement initiatives.

Requirements:

Essential Qualifications • PhD (or equivalent) in digital health, data science, computer science, biomedical engineering, or related discipline • Proven track record of independent research excellence (as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and research grants) and leadership in digital biomarker development and validation • Proficiency in AI/ML algorithms • Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to digital health tools • Significant experience managing and mentoring research teams, including scientists, engineers, and administrative staff • Strong organisational, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collaborations across disciplines and geographies Desirable Qualifications • Experience leading or coordinating large-scale, multi-centric, collaborative projects • Experience in technology evaluation, vendor management, research agreements, and contract negotiation • Experience overseeing app and sensor platforms, device integration protocols, and data governance systems • Recognised contributions to scientific advisory boards/panels, expert committees, and professional societies

Compensation:

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience • Access to world-class research infrastructure and cross-institutional training opportunities • Direct engagement and collaboration with UK DRI researchers, Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), and other leaders in biomarker science and neurodegeneration research • Opportunity to interface with the Indian Institute of Science’s vibrant, interdisciplinary research ecosystem spanning engineering, life sciences, and data science • Support for overall professional development • Additional benefits as per CBR policies.