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Scientist/ Sr Scientist / Staff Scientist (DNA Synthesis Process Developme

USA - South San Francisco, CA

Scientist/ Sr Scientist / Staff Scientist (DNA Synthesis Process Development)                                         in South San Francisco, CA

Job Description

The R&D team at Twist Bioscience is searching for a curious, thoughtful, and driven Scientist with excellent lab hands to help us innovate on our core technology. We are looking for a "Triple Threat" Scientist: someone with strong Molecular Biology skills, a solid grasp of DNA Chemistry, and the ability to code their own data analysis.

Your mission is to close the loop. You will take the DNA from the chip, perform complex enzymology and library preparation, and analyze the sequencing data to prove that our synthesis innovations are working. We are looking for people who have:

  • Excellent Lab Hands. You can handle complex gene assemblies, low-input library preps, and difficult PCRs with precision.
  • A Chemist’s Brain. You aren't just a user; you understand the underlying chemical cycle that created the DNA.
  • Data fluency. You can look at a raw sequencing dataset and tell a story with data.

Job title and compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to the candidate's years of experience, individual skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design and execute downstream validation workflows for new synthesis chemistries.
  • Perform complex nucleic acid enzymology: Utilizes the full range of enzymatic tools (polymerases, ligases, nucleases, kinases) to repair, modify, and assemble DNA from chip to library.
  • Execute NGS Library Prep: Select and run the appropriate library prep workflows (Illumina/Nanopore) to reveal specific synthesis error modes.
  • Code your own analysis: Use Python or R to analyze NGS data, generate figures, and correlate biological performance with upstream synthesis conditions.
  • Troubleshoot synthesis issues by understanding the phosphoramidite cycle and identifying chemical shortcomings. 
  • Move projects forward efficiently and prioritize tasks in accordance with the company’s goals.

Qualifications:

  • Experience in Molecular Biology, Genomics, Biochemistry, or combination of closely-related field and experience.
    • Scientist
      Requires a PhD and 0-2 years of previous professional experience;
      or a master's degree and 3-5 years of work experience
    • Sr Scientist
      Requires a Ph.D. and 2-5 years of professional experience (postdoc may count);
      or a master's degree and 5-7 years of work experience
    • Staff Scientist
      Requires a Ph.D. and 5-8 years of professional experience (postdoc may count);
      or a master's degree and 7 years of work experience
  • Expert Enzymology: You know anything an enzyme can do on a nucleic acid. Deep hands-on experience with complex manipulations, gene construction, and repair workflows.
  • Handling Modified Templates: Experience amplifying or manipulating nucleic acids with non-standard modifications (e.g., stability mods, backbone changes, or novel linkers).
  • DNA Chemistry Literacy: Must understand the fundamentals of the DNA synthesis cycle (coupling, deblocking, oxidation) and how errors arise.
  • Coded Data Analysis: Proven ability to use Python or R to analyze experimental results (sequencing alignment, error rate calculation, plotting).
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D environment.

About Twist Bioscience

Twist Bioscience synthesizes genes from scratch, known as “writing” DNA. Just as children learn to both read and write, the next phase of development for the genomics revolution is the ability to write DNA.

At Twist Bioscience, we work in service of people who are changing the world for the better. In fields such as health care, agriculture, industrial chemicals and data storage, our unique silicon-based DNA Synthesis Platform provides precision at a scale that is otherwise unavailable to our customers.

Twist Bioscience Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Twist Bioscience Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic characteristics, or any other category protected by law.

The base cash compensation for this California-based role is below. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for bonus, equity, and a generous benefits package. Final compensation amounts are determined by multiple factors, including candidate skill, experience, expertise, and location and may vary from the amount listed above. Compensation may be different in other locations.

San Francisco Bay Area Pay Range

$127,200 - $190,000 USD

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