Adela’s mission is to deliver innovative and accessible blood tests that harness biology to transform cancer care and improve well-being. The company is developing best-in-class technology to accelerate the diagnosis and improve the management of cancer through blood tests for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring and multi-cancer early detection (MCED). Adela’s blood-based, tissue-free product ensures universal accessibility to MRD testing for patients with cancer, eliminating any dependency on tumor tissue availability. Adela’s first product was recently clinically validated for predicting and surveilling for recurrence in patients with head & neck cancer and published in Annals of Oncology.

Adela is seeking a highly motivated Staff or Principal Data Scientist (internally Data Scientist 4 or Principal Data Scientist) to lead the development of novel algorithms that translate raw signal from our whole-methylome platform into biological and clinically actionable insights. In this role you will provide technical leadership across the product lifecycle—shaping algorithm strategy, driving reproducible analysis practices, and collaborating directly with assay, clinical, and software teams. This is a high-impact role with opportunities to influence product direction and publish on large biobanked and clinical cohorts.This is a remote position open to candidates authorized to work in the United States or Canada. Visa sponsorship is not available. While the role is remote, candidates located in the Bay Area, California or Colorado are preferred.

Key responsibilities

• Design, implement, and validate machine learning and statistical models supporting Adela’s Cancer Management portfolio (MRD, response monitoring, phenotyping, response prediction).
• Analyze sequencing data to quantify signal versus noise, identify assay limitations (batch effects, coverage bias, cross-sample contamination), and define mitigation strategies.
• Participate and lead cross-functional projects with assay R&D, clinical development, operations, and software engineering to drive product improvements and scale analyses into production.
• Establish and maintain reproducible workflows (code + data versioning + documentation) and best practices for analysis and model validation.
• Act as a technical leader who strengthens the team by mentoring peers, sharing knowledge, and introducing new practices that elevate our data science capabilities.
• Communicate results clearly to scientific and non-scientific stakeholders both internally and externally.

  Required qualifications

  • PhD in data science, statistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, or a related quantitative field — or MS with commensurate industry experience and track record.
  • 6+ years of relevant experience inclusive of post-graduate training (adjustable by level: Staff = min 6 years, Principal = min 8 years) working with high-plex omics or NGS data.
  • Expertise in statistical modeling, signal processing, and machine learning for biological data.
  • Proficiency in Python and/or R and experience with scientific computing libraries (such as scikit-learn, PyTorch/TF, Stan, NumPy, Bioconductor, etc.).
  • Strong problem solving, leadership, and communication skills; track record of cross-functional collaboration.

  Preferred qualifications

  • Prior experience in liquid biopsy / MRD, cancer genomics, or molecular diagnostics.

The annual base salary range for this position (Staff level) 150K to $170K/ (Principal level) $175K to $200K USD.

This range reflects only the base salary component of compensation and is provided in compliance with applicable pay transparency requirements. Actual base salary will be determined at the Company’s discretion and may vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and business needs.

Adela is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We embrace and celebrate the unique qualities and perspectives of all individuals, and we provide equal employment opportunities to candidates without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or disability.

At Adela, everyone belongs.