Scientist 3, Microscopy Specialist

Genentech • Daly City, CA

3d • $103,400 - $192,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Advanced Light Microscopy and Electron Microscopy (CALM-EM), housed within the Department of Research Pathology, seeks an experienced microscopy specialist for its centralized microscopy hub. The role provides technical expertise in optical microscopy and quantitative image analysis in support of scientific discovery and drug development initiatives across Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED). The specialist partners with project teams across therapeutic areas, guiding work from experimental design and modality selection through sample preparation and computational image analysis.

This is a lab-based position at the South San Francisco, California campus, and onsite presence is required. Relocation benefits are available. The expected salary range for the primary California location is $103,400 to $192,000. Actual pay depends on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and company performance. The position also qualifies for benefits detailed at the link provided in the posting.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a scientific discipline that uses advanced optical microscopy as a primary research methodology; candidates with a Ph.D. and 3+ years of dedicated, hands-on microscopy core or shared resource experience will also be considered.
• Master’s-level candidates may be considered with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Track record of teaching, mentoring, and onboarding users on advanced light microscopy hardware platforms and associated acquisition software.
• Hands-on working knowledge of advanced microscopy instrumentation such as laser scanning confocal, spinning disk confocal, light sheet, or high-content imaging systems.
• Practical experience developing and applying quantitative digital image analysis workflows using platforms such as FIJI/ImageJ, Imaris, CellPose, or related computational tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a history of collaborative, team-oriented problem solving across diverse scientific teams.
• Strong time management, prioritization, and organizational skills, and the ability to adapt to and adopt emerging imaging platforms and methodologies.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working in an academic or industry microscopy core facility, or serving as lead imaging technical specialist for a multidisciplinary research department.
• Specialized expertise in multimodal imaging workflows, such as correlative optical and electron microscopy or combined live-cell and high-content imaging.
• Experience with automated high-content screening hardware and software such as ImageXpress Micro, IncuCyte, MetaXpress, or InCarta.
• Advanced scripting and automation skills for image analysis workflows.
• Practical familiarity with 3D imaging techniques, including complex in vitro models, NAMs, tissue clearing methodologies, and 3D volumetric light sheet imaging acquisitions.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical consultation and experimental design across advanced imaging modalities, including confocal and live-cell imaging, organoids and complex in vitro models, tissue clearing, light sheet microscopy, and high-content screening assays.
• Collaborate with CALM-EM team members and gRED research scientists to design, optimize, and execute imaging assays addressing drug discovery questions.
• Lead user onboarding and hands-on technical training on advanced light microscopy instrumentation, serving as a technical resource for the scientific community.
• Develop, implement, and maintain digital image analysis workflows and computational pipelines to extract quantitative metrics from complex imaging datasets.
• Independently and with external service vendors, manage, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced microscope hardware platforms.
• Prepare quantitative imaging data and multidimensional visualizations for scientific publications, patent applications, and project team reviews.
• Balance and prioritize multiple concurrent research projects in a dynamic discovery research environment.

Benefits

• Relocation benefits are available.
• A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.
• The position qualifies for benefits detailed at the link provided in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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