Postdoctoral Scientist, In Vitro Cardiac Functional Biology (2yr Contract)

Atrium Therapeutics • San Diego, CA

48d • Onsite

About The Position

Atrium is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering delivery of RNA therapeutics to the heart to transform the standard of care for people living with cardiomyopathies. Our proprietary technology leverages the targeted RNA delivery platform initially designed at Avidity, which combines the tissue selectivity of mAbs and other targeted delivery ligands with the precision of oligonucleotides. This unique combination is designed to allow selective targeting of the underlying genetic drivers of disease that were previously undruggable. Through targeted, non-viral delivery of siRNA to cardiac tissues, our approach has the potential to overcome key limitations of nonspecific viral and nanoparticle-based delivery systems, including challenges related to tissue specificity, immunogenicity, and redosing.

Atrium is seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist to develop and apply in vitro cardiac assays for siRNA-based antibody–oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC) programs in rare genetic cardiomyopathies. The role will use human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, primary adult cardiomyocytes, and engineered cardiac tissues to assess calcium handling and contractile function. The scientist will connect these functional findings with target knockdown and downstream molecular endpoints to characterize pharmacology and support candidate selection. This is a hands-on laboratory position with ownership of a defined research project, mentorship from senior scientists, and opportunities to publish and present the work externally.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in cardiac physiology, pharmacology, bioengineering, cell biology, molecular biology, or a related discipline, completed by the position’s start date
• Hands-on experience culturing and functionally characterizing cardiomyocytes
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, troubleshoot assays, analyze quantitative data, and integrate functional findings with molecular endpoints
• Strong organizational, collaboration, and scientific communication skills, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced research environment
• Proficient computer and data analysis/management skills - Microsoft Office Suite, Prism, and Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)

Nice To Haves

• experience with human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, primary adult cardiomyocytes, or engineered cardiac tissues is preferred
• Experience developing and executing calcium imaging or contractility assays
• familiarity with the Mantarray platform is preferred
• Experience with siRNA or other oligonucleotide therapeutics, genetic cardiomyopathies, or discovery-stage drug development is preferred
• Scientific publication or conference presentation experience is preferred

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro studies using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, primary adult cardiomyocytes, and engineered cardiac tissues to characterize AOC therapeutic candidates.
• Develop, optimize, and apply robust functional assays, including calcium transient imaging and Mantarray-based contractility measurements.
• Analyze and integrate functional, target-knockdown, and downstream molecular data to characterize pharmacology, investigate mechanism of action, and support candidate selection.
• Lead a defined research project and collaborate with cross-functional scientists on study design, data interpretation, and program decisions.
• Communicate research findings through clear experimental documentation, internal presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and external scientific presentations.

Benefits

• 401(k) with an employer match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• LTD
• unlimited of time off including summer & winter breaks
• variety of programming internally developed by and for Atrium employees
• opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry
• education reimbursement program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree