Director, Scientific Operations

Glyphic Biotechnologies • Berkeley, CA

9d • $166,050 - $201,925 • Onsite

About The Position

Glyphic is seeking a scientifically rigorous, pragmatic, and execution-driven leader for a Director of Scientific Operations, reporting to the VP of R&D.
The Director of Scientific Operations will own the preparation, stabilization, and management of evaluation-grade reagents and scientific operations that enable reliable execution of our single-molecule protein sequencing platform. This role works closely with the Director of Chemistry and the Director of Assay Development to translate novel chemical components and reagents into stockable, assay-ready units, and to collaboratively understand which reagent attributes are most important for assay performance. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on scientific judgment, speed, and reproducibility in an early-stage R&D environment. Characterization is intentionally fit-for-purpose and evolves alongside assay understanding.
The ideal candidate brings strong operational and scientific judgment, clearly distinguishing which reagent attributes matter—and which do not—for assay performance, while building fit-for-purpose operational frameworks that enable chemistry inventions to be translated into usable, reproducible reagents without unnecessary delay or over-characterization.
This role offers a unique opportunity to define and lead scientific operations at a formative stage, ensuring reagent knowledge, operational infrastructure, and assay understanding evolve in lockstep to support the company’s next-generation protein sequencing platform.
This is a full-time, exempt, in-person position with work conducted at our Berkeley, CA location.

Requirements

• BS/MS degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline
• 7–10+ years of relevant industry experience supporting R&D teams in scientific operations
• Proven experience managing reagent inventory, forecasting demand, and preventing stock-outs for active R&D programs
• Deep hands-on experience with reagent preparation, formulation, stabilization, and fit-for-purpose characterization, including translating R&D protocols into usable SOPs
• Familiarity with sequencing or broader omics workflows, including custom reagents, consumables, and specialized equipment
• Demonstrated people-leadership experience, including supervising staff and reporting forecasts, plans, and risks to management
• Strong negotiation skills with external vendors, including securing favorable contract terms, pricing, and supply agreements
• Experience collaborating with procurement and accounting functions (e.g., forecasting inputs, hand-offs to AP)
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills and comfort coordinating across Chemistry, Assay Development, Operations, and Facilities

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and resolve emerging scientific or operational issues before they impact assay execution or timelines
• Comfort operating in early-stage environments with minimal structure and evolving priorities

Responsibilities

• Prepare, formulate, stabilize, and stock evaluation‑grade reagents and buffers required for sequencing assays
• Establish storage conditions, handling practices, and refresh strategies that preserve assay‑relevant performance
• Design and run fit‑for-purpose stability studies to understand how reagents change over time and under different conditions
• Produce and manage reagent and assay‑ready consumable inventories sufficient to support ongoing experiments, demos, and early evaluations
• Work with Chemistry and Assay teams to identify which reagent attributes matter most for assay performance (e.g., purity, activity, labeling efficiency, degradation modes)
• Perform and coordinate targeted, hypothesis‑driven characterization to inform assay interpretation and reagent handling
• Translate experimental observations into practical guidance for reagent preparation, storage, and use
• Avoid premature or exhaustive characterization that does not inform assay performance
• Partner closely with the Director of Chemistry to understand chemical design intent and expected behavior
• Partner closely with the Director of Assay Development to ensure reagents meet assay needs and constraints
• Translate chemistry prototypes into repeatable, reproducible reagent preparation workflows
• Identify sources of reagent variability and drive scientific root‑cause analysis in collaboration with chemistry and assay teams
• Develop lightweight documentation for reagent preparation, stabilization, storage, and usage; translate R&D protocols into fit-for-purpose SOPs as needed
• Build and maintain lab infrastructure required for reagent preparation and storage
• Oversee facilities operations as they relate to R&D, serving as the connective tissue between scientific operations and facilities
• Negotiate terms and manage relationships with vendors and service providers; ensure consumables, equipment, lab spaces, and utilities support evolving R&D needs
• Serve as the scientific owner for reagent readiness prior to any future manufacturing transition
• Ensure equipment functionality, inventory and supply management, safety compliance, and other logistical functions of a research laboratory
• Lead and mentor a small team (approximately 2 people) supporting reagent preparation and general lab stocking
• Oversee day‑to‑day lab readiness, including consumables, buffers, and shared reagent availability
• Establish lightweight processes to keep the lab running smoothly without over‑engineering

Benefits

• Employee Stock Option Plan
• 100% Health Plan Coverage for Employees & Dependents (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
• Employer Retirement Contributions to 401(k)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Health & Wellbeing Program
• Office Snacks and Beverages
• Regular Team Bonding Activities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director