Scientist, Assay Development

Key Skills

Automation, Biomedical Imaging, Effective communication skills, MATLAB Programming, Microscopy, Molecular biology, Python Programming, R Programming

Job Description

Who we are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position description:

The Cell Biology and Assay Development group at Calico is looking for a scientist to join our team. In this position, you will be responsible for developing and implementing cell-based assays across a wide range of biological systems related to human aging and age-related diseases. You will be expected to closely interact with members of the protein sciences, microscopy, automation, and high-dimensional screening groups, in addition to other research, technology and preclinical scientists across the company and beyond. The ideal candidate will be intellectually and technically nimble, creative, quantitative, technology-oriented, collaborative, well-organized, proactive, and capable of quickly grasping the fundamentals of new biological systems and multi-tasking.

Main responsibilities: 

• Design and engineer novel cell-based assays that report on various biological phenomena, utilizing a diversity of readouts
• Establish and validate commercially available cell-based assays to test biological functions
• Coordinate with members of research, automation, and high-dimensional screening groups to enable novel screening projects 
• Serve as a technical and scientific expert on project teams, including contributing ideas, developing plans, execution of the plan, timely reporting of the results, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations

Position requirements:

• PhD in cell biology, biochemistry, or related fields 
• Experience establishing cell-based assays with both microscopy and plate-reader outputs
• Extensive experience utilizing state of the art fluorescence microscopy for fixed and live-cell imaging
• Mammalian cell culture with both primary cells and cell lines, and application of diverse delivery systems, i.e. viral, nucleofection, lipid-based transfection
• Quantitative data analysis skills (i.e. with Python, R, Matlab or PRISM), including some degree of image analysis (i.e. with Python, Matlab or ImageJ/FIJI)
• Other desired techniques: FACS, ELISA, SDS-PAGE/WB, molecular biology 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Flexible and capable of multitasking
• Must be able to work onsite four days a week

Nice to have:

• Experience utilizing Incucyte
• 3D culture and co-culture systems
• Automation and scale-up for both mid- and high-throughput screening formats
• FISH / DNA FISH
• CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing

The estimated base salary range for this role is $134,000 - $140,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses. 

Calico requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Calico will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.