The RoleWe are seeking a highly motivated, analytical, and innovative Scientist II to join our Platform Discovery team. In this role, you will lead efforts to solve fundamental challenges in non-viral delivery of DNA templates for recombinase-based large gene insertion. Your work will be foundational for expanding our broader gene editing toolbox and enabling new therapeutic opportunities.
The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of engineering molecular systems for mammalian cells, with expertise in gene editing, nucleic acid biochemistry, protein-nucleic acid engineering, or molecular virology. This is an excellent opportunity to work cross-functionally with a diverse team of experts across AI and machine learning, protein design, cell biology, and gene editing.
Responsibilities- Lead the development, evaluation, and benchmarking of innovative non-viral methods for nucleic acid donor template delivery for recombinase-based large gene insertion
- Design and execute hypothesis-driven experiments to identify and overcome barriers to donor template stability, intracellular trafficking, and nuclear availability
- Develop quantitative assays to evaluate donor template delivery and connect these measurements to targeted insertion efficiency and fidelity
- Analyze data to drive critical go/no-go decisions, clearly present conclusions and rationale to stakeholders across the organization
- Collaborate with downstream translational teams to validate recombinase donor template delivery approaches in therapeutically relevant cell-based and in vivo systems.
- Stay up to date on the latest developments in gene editing technology, delivery systems, relevant clinical applications, and cellular models
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members and peers, helping align goals, troubleshoot experiments, and maintain high standards for execution and interpretation
Qualifications- PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field + 2-4 years of experience in an academic or biotechnology setting; title commensurate with level of experience
- Proven track record of solving challenging and impactful problems in gene editing, in vivo delivery, or protein engineering relevant to these applications
- Demonstrated ability to develop mechanistic cell-based assays and troubleshoot complex biological systems
- Deep understanding of the barriers and challenges surrounding nucleic acid delivery in mammalian cells and therapeutic applications
- Strong hands-on experience in molecular cloning, nucleic acid construct design, and mammalian cell engineering
- Extensive hands-on experience and deep understanding of NGS-based assays for evaluating genome editing outcomes
- Proven track record of independently and successfully leading multifaceted research projects
- Excellent communication skills, ability to present complex ideas, anticipated timelines, risks, and results to colleagues and stakeholders
Preferences- Experience with process automation and scaling to develop high throughput workflows, ideally in a biotechnology/industry research setting
- Experience working with disease-relevant primary cells and translating early discovery work to preclinical development
What We Offer- High-growth opportunity with meaningful impact on the future of protein design
- Competitive compensation package with equity participation
- 401(k) with a strong employer match
- Comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance
- Generous PTO policy and commitment to work-life balance
- Professional development opportunities in a cutting-edge field at the intersection of AI and biology
Hiring Salary Range
$144,000-$160,000 USD
NOTICE TO STAFFING AND SEARCH FIRMS: Profluent does not accept unsolicited candidate submissions. We ask that agencies refrain from sending resumes to our careers inbox, hiring managers, or any Profluent employee. Any resume submitted without a signed agreement and an active search request from our Talent team will be treated as the property of Profluent, and no placement fee will be owed.
