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Scientist, Functional Genomics, Konermann Lab

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 300 people to date. 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

The Konermann Lab is seeking an exceptional Scientist to lead and collaborate on projects at the intersection of functional genomics and neurobiology. In this role, you will serve as experimental domain expert and apply state-of-the-art cell engineering, CRISPR screening and Perturb-seq technologies to advanced cellular model systems to decipher fundamental biological processes in neurons, microglia and other relevant cell types, provide molecular insights into the role of genetic risk factors in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases (with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease) as well as identify potential genetic modifiers to ameliorate disease progression.

This position offers a unique chance for a highly motivated and curious researcher to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of neuroscientists, computational biologists and in vivo scientists to connect novel molecular insights to potential translational applications.

About you

  • You are passionate about biological discovery and applying advanced molecular technologies to studying complex diseases and fundamental biological processes in challenging cell models.
  • You thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and enjoy working with both wet lab and computational scientists.
  • You are a technologist at heart. You get excited about the potential of new tools (e.g. single-cell genomics, optical screening, multi-modal readouts) to answer questions that were previously impossible to ask.
  • You are resilient. You understand that high-reward science involves risk. You approach troubleshooting with a critical mind and view obstacles as puzzles to be solved.
  • You have a track record of independent experimental design, execution, troubleshooting and data analysis as well as successful completion of high-impact research projects as evidenced by your publications.

In this position, you will

  • Collaborate with neurobiologists to implement functional genomics assays (arrayed and pooled) in human iPSC-derived neurons, microglia and multi-cellular stem cell derived brain models. 
  • Serve as the technical expert in the design, execution, and analysis of functional genomic screens. 
  • Develop and optimize novel screening assays and readouts suitable for neuronal/glial phenotypes.
  • Perform cell culture, differentiation, and genome engineering of human ESC/iPSC and/or immune cell types. 
  • Analyze multi-omic datasets and collaborate with computational scientists to derive insightful conclusions as well as generate new testable hypotheses.
  • Present findings at internal meetings and external conferences, and contribute to the preparation of high-impact manuscripts.

Requirements

  • PhD in Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a related field.
  • 0-3 years of post-PhD research experience (industry or academia).
  • Strong hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques (cloning, library preparation, etc.).
  • Deep expertise in functional genomics, specifically with CRISPR screening technologies (pooled or arrayed) including library design, library cloning, delivery of gene editors, screen design, screen execution and screen analysis.
  • Strong critical thinking and data analysis skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex experimental protocols.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of peer-reviewed publications or preprints.
  • A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for mentoring and working within a cross-functional team.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with single-cell RNA-seq and single-cell genomics technologies (e.g. 10X Genomics, Perturb-seq/CROP-seq or similar).
  • Experience with live-cell microscopy, optical pooled screening and/or multiplexed proteomic readouts (e.g. CITE-seq, Olink or similar). 
  • Experience working with human iPSCs and differentiation procedures.
  • Background in neurobiology/neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Proficient in bioinformatics/data analysis of large datasets (using Python, R etc)

The base salary range for this position is $121,250 to $150,000. 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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