Research Scientist - Sequencing

We are looking for a Research Scientist - Sequencing to enhance our sequencing core team and implement new sequencing technologies to accelerate growth of our on-demand breeding platform and the development of our inputs pipeline. This position works closely with the Data Science & Technology team and across the Research department to test plant, microbial and soil samples, analyze sequencing, and design experiments. The Research Scientist - Sequencing onboards new sequencing technology to operationalize and scale-up existing sequencing workflows (e.g. implementing liquid handling automation, equipment, software tools, etc). This is an opportunity to help develop dramatically faster ways to deliver valuable agronomic traits and new inputs for crop efficiency. 

The Research Scientist - Sequencing reports to the Sr. Director, Research and is based in our laboratory in Emeryville, California.  

Compensation Target

$113,000 to $126,000 base salary, plus variable compensation bonus target of 10%

Bonuses are earned based on annual company and individual performance and are prorated based on start date. 

Sound reserves the ability to adjust the compensation range based on the final candidate’s experience, skillset, and geography. In addition to on target earnings, we offer above average equity grants for the industry as we believe that every employee should have a stake in the company’s growth. If you’re above this compensation target, we encourage you to reach out and discuss the entire package and opportunity before deciding not to pursue this position.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of junior researchers to execute sequencing workflows
• Collaboratively implement, operationalize, and improve new & existing high-throughput sequencing workflows to advance our biochemistry platform
• Characterize methylation patterns in genomic plant tissue samples and optimize workflow for new crops
• Develop methods for library prep for multiple applications (e.g. WGS, methylation analysis, RNAseq, 16S rRNA, ITS sequencing)
• Work with and optimize short and long-read sequencing technologies (including nanopore) for innovative applications
• Develop and optimize gDNA extractions for various crops and soil samples
• Oversee our sequencers, troubleshooting as needed
• Work with Automation Engineering to develop protocols on automated liquid handlers for high throughput sample execution
• Design and execute experiments to test hypotheses and mine scientific literature to guide experimental design
• Use statistical analysis software to analyze datasets and communicate results to diverse audiences
• Maintain safe practices in the laboratory
• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment

Targeted Skills & Experience

• A PhD, or equivalent experience with 1-2 years of relevant industrial experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, plant biology, microbiology, or related fields
• Management experience is strongly preferred
• Expertise using molecular biology techniques including: PCR, DNA and RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, and NGS
• Competency using statistical tools to strengthen experimental design and enable data analysis (such as JMP, Spotfire, R or Python)
• Experience with laboratory automation (such as Tecan, Beckman, Hamilton) to enable process scale-up
• Understanding of plant genetics and gene regulation is preferred but not required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven track record of collaboration and teamwork in cross-disciplinary teams
• Self-motivated and passionate about your work
• Meticulous attention to detail and strong record keeping skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and tasks
• Meticulous attention to detail and strong record keeping skills
• Desire to be part of a rapidly evolving organization, which requires flexibility and a willingness to learn new techniques and concepts

How this role demonstrates our core values: 

• Boldness: Is unafraid to expand the team’s capabilities for sequencing, multiplexing, and analyzing beyond the current capacities. Explores our sequencing infrastructure and identifies pathways for building out our pipelines.
• Ownership: Approaches each project with equal attention while balancing priorities of the different projects to generate a well flowing output of data.  Takes pride in providing the highest quality data obtainable, regardless of how small the project. 
• Tenacity: Is deeply committed to the success of the organization bringing a solution oriented mindset to work everyday.  Overcomes the many variables encountered with each project including incomplete genome data, multiple reference genomes, and genomic anomalies
• Creativity: Cultivates strategies for obtaining new forms of data using the same sequencing infrastructure to enable inquiry of new hypotheses.  Explores and advocates for new technologies to support a high throughput platform.