Scientist I/II, Cell Based Assays

The Opportunity

The heart of insitro’s strategy is the development of novel, innovative methods in machine learning and high-throughput biology that address key bottlenecks in the drug development pipeline. To accomplish this, we are expanding our team of life scientists to support our bioassay team.  We are excited for cell biologists with experience in cell-based assay design and development, particularly in the context of drug discovery, to join our team. 

The Scientist I/II will be responsible for the design, development, optimization, and qualification of cell-based assays utilized in arrayed screening, target validation, and drug discovery efforts in neuroscience and metabolic disease. This is a role in the Bioassays & Cell Based Arrayed Screening team and part of our larger Technical Operations department, working closely with our therapeutic areas and drug discovery team to support insitro’s growing pipeline. 

Reporting directly to our Associate Director of Assay Management, the successful candidate will work closely with insitro's multidisciplinary scientists, automation engineers, and chemists to deliver on insitro’s mission to bring better drugs faster to the patients who can benefit most.    

This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about therapeutic discovery and making an impact to patients!

Key responsibilities

• Design, build, and optimize cell based assays in a variety of cell types (immortalized cell lines, primary cells, iPSCs) and functional readouts
• Work closely with disease biology specialists, chemists, and automation engineers to achieve standardized, highly reproducible workflows 
• Engage with CRO partners to manage external assay workflows
• Author and review SOP, protocols, etc 
• Maintain excellent records in our ELN 
• Follow data analysis workflows and ensure data quality
• Be a subject matter and technical expert for assay development requests from our internal collaborators

You will be joining a growing biotech startup that has long-term stability due to significant funding, but yet is very much in formation. A lot can change in this early and exciting phase, providing many opportunities for significant impact. You will work closely with a very talented team, learn a broad range of skills, and help shape insitro’s culture, strategic direction, and outcomes. Join us, and help make a difference to patients!

About You

• PhD in cell biology, pharmacology, or related field with up to 5 years of post-graduate experience, or a BS/MS with 8-12 years related experience
• Extensive experience with culturing mammalian cells (immortalized cell lines, primary cells, iPSCs) in 96 and 384 well-plate formats 
• Experience with a wide variety of end-point assay techniques including, but not limited to AlphaLisa, MSD, luminescence, or fluorescence based readouts
• Experience with small molecule and genetic (siRNA, ASO, CRISPR) tools, high content imaging, automated liquid handlers and other laboratory automation tools
• Familiarity with ELNs (e.g. Benchling, PE Signals, etc) and analysis tools (e.g. PE VitroVivo/Spotfire, GraphPad Prism, etc)
• Driven by scientific rigor and passion for making a difference in the world

Nice to have

• Familiarity with arrayed screening (chemical and genetic) 
• Previous experience working with and/or managing CROs
• Knowledge of drug discovery workflows

Benefits at insitro

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage; insitro pays 100% of premiums for employees
• Excellent mental health and well-being support
• Open vacation policy
• Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast
• Access to free onsite fitness center
• Commuter benefits
• Paid parental leave
• Competitive pay and 401(k) matching

Compensation & Benefits at insitro

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $115,000-$140,000. To determine starting pay, we consider multiple job-related factors including a candidate’s skills, education and experience, market demand, business needs, and internal parity. We may also adjust this range in the future based on market data. 

This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Performance Bonus Plan (based on company targets by role level and annual company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies.

In addition, insitro also provides our employees:

• 401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage (insitro pays 100% of premiums for employees), as well as mental health and well-being support
• Open, flexible vacation policy
• Paid parental leave
• Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
• Support to occasionally attend professional conferences that are meaningful to your career growth and development
• New hire stipend for home office setup
• Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
• Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast
• Access to free onsite fitness center
• Commuter benefits