Senior/Principal Associate Scientist, Biochemical Assay Development

The Cellular Models and Assay Technologies (CMAT) group at Calico is looking for a talented and creative bench scientist with extensive experience in the design and implementation of protein-based assays. As an individual contributor, the successful candidate will perform hands-on laboratory work, including the use of automated platforms for high throughput screening, and operation of state-of-the-art equipment for the biophysical and biochemical characterization of protein assay systems. In this position, the scientist will closely collaborate with the full breadth of early research, technology, and preclinical scientists across the company, in order to enable early research and drug discovery projects. It is expected that the successful candidate will stay current with state-of-the-art assay technologies in order to implement the most appropriate and intelligent solution to the problem at hand. As such, 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.

Responsibilities:

• Design, engineer and implement protein-based assays that report on various biological phenomena (i.e. PPIs, enzymatic reactions, oligomerization) with a diversity of readouts (i.e. luminescence, fluorescence, AlphaLISA, HTRF, split FPs, split luciferases), and modifiers (i.e. metabolites, aptamers, peptides, quenched-pair probes)
• Assay development and optimization for HTS, including statistical validation, miniaturization and scalability, Z-factor estimation, automation
• 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
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, methods, and engage with relevant CROs

Position Requirements:

• MS in biochemistry or related field, and 6+ years of experience in protein-based assay development in an industry setting
• Experience establishing protein-based assays with imaging and plate-reader outputs
• Experience in developing biochemical screening assays to support drug discovery programs
• Knowledge of enzymology and inhibitory binding modes
• Experience in lab automation in high throughput screening platforms
• Quantitative data analysis skills (i.e. with Python, R, Matlab or PRISM)
• Other techniques: ELISA, SDS-PAGE/WB, molecular biology
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Flexible and capable of multitasking
• Must be willing to work onsite 5 days a week

Nice to Have:

• Protein design, expression, and purification from various systems
• Microfluidics-based assays
• HTP Mass Spectrometry Technology
• Some experience working with lipid vesicles systems (i.e. GUVs, vesicles, supported lipid bilayers)

The estimated base salary range for this role is $122,000 – $159,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.