Associate Scientist III

insitro•South San Francisco, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Insitro, Inc. is seeking an Associate Scientist III in South San Francisco, CA. This role involves establishing and scaling up robust differentiation of iPSCs into mature cell types relevant to human disease, with a priority on microglia and astrocyte differentiation across multiple patient donor lines. The position will utilize both transcription factor driven and directed differentiation techniques, adapting existing protocols for scaled production, and developing standardized quality control assays and cryopreservation of progenitor banks. The Associate Scientist III will incorporate and execute established protocols to develop co-culture and tri-culture in vitro models, and perform cell line engineering of iPSCs using various transduction and transfection techniques. Characterization of protocols for in-vitro cellular models will be done using techniques such as flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and transcriptomics. The role includes validating functionality of in-vitro cellular models of disease by live cell based and functional assays. The Associate Scientist III will also develop, standardize, scale, and execute quality control assays of various mammalian cell types, with an emphasis on automated high-content microscopy. Collaboration with cross-functional teams to integrate automation solutions into existing production workflows is key. The role contributes to the development of predictive machine learning models through the provision of high-quality iPSC derived cellular data. Presenting data and project updates across cross-functional teams and company-wide meetings is also a responsibility.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Biotechnology, or a related field plus two (2) years of experience in a related occupation
Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, or a related field plus five (5) years of progressive experience in a related occupation (in lieu of Master’s degree plus two years experience)
Two (2) years experience conducting cryopreservation on various neuronal cell types
Two (2) years experience performing cell type characterization assays including immunocytochemical and imaging based in-vitro assays to validate cellular activities
One (1) year experience using transcription factor and directed differentiation of iPSCs in CNS cell models for neurodegenerative disorders
One (1) year experience scaling up and productionization of iPSC differentiations using automation equipment, including the Tecan Fluent liquid handler
One (1) year experience writing detailed experimental notebooks using Benchling (Electronic Lab Notebook)
One (1) year experience writing image analysis sequences on Harmony software
One (1) year experience generating co-culture in-vitro models
One (1) year experience transfecting mammalian cell cultures

Responsibilities

Establishing and scaling up robust differentiation of iPSCs into mature cell types relevant to human disease, with a priority on microglia and astrocyte differentiation across multiple patient donor lines
Working with both transcription factor driven and directed differentiation techniques
Adapting existing protocols to scaled production, followed by development of standardized quality control assays and cryopreservation of progenitor banks
Incorporating and executing established protocols to develop co-culture and tri-culture in vitro models
Performing cell line engineering of iPSCs using various transduction and transfection techniques such as piggy-back transposon, viral transduction, and lipofectamine for random integration of transcription factor-expression cassettes
Characterizing the development of protocols for in-vitro cellular models using various techniques, including flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, transcriptomics
Validating functionality of in-vitro cellular models of disease by live cell based and functional such as FQ6 assays
Developing, standardizing, scaling, and executing quality control assays of various mammalian cell types, of mammalian cell culture material using a variety of assays, with an emphasis on automated high-content microscopy
Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate automation solutions into existing production workflows
Contributing to the development of predictive machine learning models through the provision of high-quality iPSC derived cellular data
Presenting data and project updates across cross-functional teams and company wide meetings

Benefits

Annual Performance Bonus Plan
Equity Incentive Plan
401(k) plan with employer matching
Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Mental health and well-being support
Open, flexible vacation policy
Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)
Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
Support to attend professional conferences
New hire stipend for home office setup
Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
Access to free onsite baristas
Daily lunch for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
Access to a free commuter bus network