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Senior Scientist, Molecular Engineering

Palo Alto, CA

About Arc Institute

The Arc Institute is a new scientific institution conducting curiosity-driven basic science and technology development to understand and treat complex human diseases. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Arc is an independent research organization founded on the belief that many important research programs will be enabled by new institutional models. Arc operates in partnership with Stanford University, UCSF, and UC Berkeley.

While the prevailing university research model has yielded many tremendous successes, we believe in the importance of institutional experimentation as a way to make progress. These include:

  • Funding: Arc fully funds Core Investigators’ (PIs’) research groups, liberating scientists from the typical constraints of project-based external grants.
  • Technology: Biomedical research has become increasingly dependent on complex tooling. Arc Technology Centers develop, optimize, and deploy rapidly advancing experimental and computational technologies in collaboration with Core Investigators. 
  • Support: Arc aims to provide first-class support—operationally, financially, and scientifically—that will enable scientists to pursue long-term high risk, high reward research that can meaningfully advance progress in disease cures, including neurodegeneration, cancer, and immune dysfunction.
  • Culture: We believe that culture matters enormously in science and that excellence is difficult to sustain. We aim to create a culture that is focused on scientific curiosity, a deep commitment to truth, broad ambition, and selfless collaboration.

Arc has scaled to nearly 200 people. With $650M+ in committed funding and a state of the art new lab facility in Palo Alto, Arc will continue to grow quickly in the coming years.

About the position

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist with a strong background in mammalian synthetic biology and protein and cellular engineering to join the Molecular Engineering team inside the Genome Engineering Technology Center at the Arc Institute. In this position, you will lead projects focused on the implementation and optimization of molecular tools for (1) monitoring cell state dynamics in complex organoid models and (2) increasing the complexity, precision, and throughput of genetic perturbation screens in disease-relevant human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cells. Through the development of this technology, you will play a critical role in achieving one of Arc’s overarching goals, the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI), which aims to identify and drug rational therapeutic targets for devastating neurodegenerative disorders

This position is highly collaborative and the candidate will have an unique opportunity to interface with pioneering labs that have developed the fundamental toolbox for cellular RNA export, genome engineering, and functional genomics screens.

About you 

  • You are passionate about science and excited about answering questions related to molecular design, genome engineering technology development, and complex human diseases.
  • You embrace challenges and often formulate creative solutions to develop new approaches and optimize existing tools to answer complex biological questions.
  • You understand the importance of collaboration and thrive when working with a diverse team of scientists.
  • You have a deep commitment to data quality while working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Your organizational skills enable you to manage multiple concurrent projects, and your curiosity and creativity drive you to continuous learning and innovation.

In this position you will

  • Collaborate closely with core labs to onboard and refine cutting edge molecular tools that enable non-destructive measurement of cell dynamics in disease-relevant in vitro mammalian systems, including 3D organoid models that are being used to recapitulate and probe human genetics of neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Leverage experience in protein and cellular engineering to improve the build and function of these engineered RNA export systems, as well as the precision and efficacy of effectors for genetic perturbations in hPSC-derived cells.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams at Arc to integrate molecular design and engineering seamlessly with downstream in vitro disease modeling applications. 
  • Embrace the unique opportunity to creatively collaborate with core labs and drive additional ad hoc early research projects.
  • Stay updated on the latest developments in the fields of mammalian synthetic biology and molecular, cellular, and protein engineering, actively seeking out opportunities for innovation.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to research associates within the team.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field, with a minimum of 4+ years of postdoctoral experience in academia and/or industry.
  • Experience with mammalian cell culture, cell line engineering, and associated techniques for construct design, cloning techniques, and characterization of genetically modified cells.  
  • Experience with and enthusiasm for applying cutting-edge molecular tools to disease modeling and function-based screening, and implementing application–driven iterative, systematic technology maturation.
  • Protein and cellular engineering experience for applications in mammalian systems, with either directed evolution and/or arrayed, systematic rational engineering approaches. 
  • Familiarity with techniques for stem cell and progenitor cell culturing and genetic manipulation. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to plan, execute, and deliver results on time.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Ability to analyze large and complex data sets using Python, R, or similar tools.
  • Familiarity or experience with genomic assay development and functional genomics.
  • Familiarity with using in silico design to complement experimental based protein engineering and screening.

The base salary range for this position is $131,750 to $162,750. These amounts reflect the range of base salary that the Institute reasonably would expect to pay a new hire or internal candidate for this position. The actual base compensation paid to any individual for this position may vary depending on factors such as experience, market conditions, education/training, skill level, and whether the compensation is internally equitable, and does not include bonuses, commissions, differential pay, other forms of compensation, or benefits. This position is also eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus, with the amount dependent on individual and institute performance factors.

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