Scientist, Synthetic Biology

Job Description
Scismic is supporting the growth of a biotech company in South San Francisco,CA!

We are seeking a high-caliber Scientist, Synthetic Biology to contribute to our work in exploring novel synthetic approaches for regulated expression.

Who You Are

* You share our same sense of dedication, scientific passion and entrepreneurial spirit

* You work well in a fast-paced and extremely focused startup environment

* You are not only smart, but clever and constantly think outside the box

* You are able to make logical decisions in an instant when there is little time to evaluate

* You are a natural communicator and relationship builder

* You stay calm under high pressure and stress

* You have the ability to multi-task in a serious way, with an extreme attention to detail

* You become a representative of the core DNA of the company through who you are

Your Primary Responsibilities

* Work within the team to design, develop and test novel promoter and other regulatory sequence elements for expression in the company's novel synthetic biomarker constructs

* Conceive of and put into practice inventive and creative strategies to improve specificity and sensitivity of regulatory sequences for cancer

* Develop high-throughput engineering and screening approaches to develop and qualify novel synthetic regulatory sequences ( de novo or through gene shuffling/mutational approaches)

* Develop genetic circuitry such as logic gates and complex regulatory cascades in mammalian cells

* Collaborate across the company to validate and support new models ( in vitro and in vivo ) for testing of specificity and sensitivity of a diagnostic product.

* Document results and communicate findings internally and externally

Your Required Experience, Knowledge and Skills

* PhD degree or equivalent industry experience within a relevant field

* Minimum of 4 years of experience in mammalian synthetic biology or similar field

* Substantial expertise in building (cloning) libraries of genetic sequences

* Exceptional molecular biology skills in design & construction of modified regulatory sequences

* Substantial expertise in developing and implementing high throughput functional screening of libraries of genetic elements or proteins

* Experience with developing and implementing fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) protocols

* Extensive cell culture experience, including transfection/transduction. Experience with primary cells is a plus

* Working knowledge and experience with NGS and/or single-cell sequencing technologies is highly desirable

* Experience with RNA-based modalities is a plus

* High degree of creativity and independence

* Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required

* Able to multi-task, manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively within a team

* Ability to think independently and fully integrate into a high achieving team environment