Scientist I, Functional Bioassy & High-Throughput Screening

Generate Biomedicines•Somerville, MA

5d•$102,000 - $143,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Functional Bioassay team is seeking a Scientist I, Functional Bioassay / High-Throughput Screening to support the development, optimization, and execution of functional assays across Generate’s growing portfolio of therapeutic programs. This is a bench-focused role for a scientist who enjoys hands-on experimental work and wants to contribute directly to the generation of high-quality functional data at scale that informs AI/ML-enabled protein therapeutic design and program decisions. The successful candidate will support and, where appropriate, design, optimize, and troubleshoot biochemical and cell-based assays; execute high-throughput screening campaigns; analyze assay data; and help integrate automation into HTS workflows across multiple program areas. Key areas of focus may include ion channel, GPCR, ADC-related functional HTS assays, and other cell-based or biochemical screening platforms as portfolio needs evolve. This role is expected to be approximately 80–90% laboratory-based and will require close collaboration with scientists across the Therapeutics organization, Data Science, research leads, automation colleagues, and cross-functional program teams to accelerate closed-loop experimental cycles. The scientist will help advance platform-wide innovation in assay execution, data quality, automation onboarding, and workflow scalability. This position is well-suited for an early-career scientist with strong technical skills, curiosity to learn new assay systems, clear communication skills, and a desire to grow in a fast-paced, collaborative biotech environment while contributing meaningfully to therapeutic discovery programs.

Requirements

PhD in cell biology, pharmacology, immunology, biochemistry, bioengineering, molecular biology, or a related discipline, with relevant hands-on laboratory experience; or MSc with approximately 4+ years of relevant industry or academic research experience; or BSc with approximately 6+ years of relevant industry or academic research experience
Hands-on experience with cell-based, biochemical, or functional assays in an academic, biotech, pharmaceutical, or related research setting.
Strong technical foundation in mammalian cell culture and plate-based assay workflows.
Experience executing experiments with careful attention to controls, replicates, data quality, and documentation.
Experience with ELISA, HTRF, AlphaLISA, luminescence/fluorescence assays, flow cytometry, or similar assay technologies.
Familiarity with high-throughput or medium-throughput screening workflows, including multiwell plate formats.
Ability to follow established protocols while recognizing when assay performance, data quality, or experimental results require troubleshooting.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, matrixed research environment where priorities may shift across multiple programs.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage several experiments or workstreams with guidance from a manager or senior colleagues.
Ability to analyze and present data clearly using tools such as GraphPad Prism, ScreenWorks, Harmony, iQue Forecyt, Spotfire, or similar platforms.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize experimental results, observations, and next steps clearly
Collaborative working style, accountability, curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to learn new assay formats, therapeutic areas, and technologies.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ion channel assays or related functional readouts, such as electrophysiology-adjacent workflows, membrane potential assays, or thallium flux assays.
Experience with GPCR assays, including reporter assays, calcium flux assays, cAMP assays, beta-arrestin assays, or other pathway-based functional assays.
Experience with ADC, image-based internalization, targeted protein degradation, immune cell, or cytotoxicity assay formats.
Experience working with primary cells, engineered cell lines, or stable cell line generation.
Experience with lab automation systems, such as HighRes, Beckman Biomek i5/i7, Hamilton, EL406, Multidrop, or equivalent liquid handling platforms.
Experience working in a biotech or pharmaceutical research environment and/or interest in applying functional biology to AI/ML-enabled therapeutic discovery.

Responsibilities

Design, optimize, and implement HTS-compatible biochemical and cell-based assays, with appropriate integration of automation.
Execute plate-based HTS campaigns, analyze results, and interpret complex experimental datasets.
Clearly communicate findings to program teams to support AI/ML-enabled design cycles, program prioritization, and iterative therapeutic optimization.
Support multiple therapeutic programs as a functional assay contributor, with potential focus areas including ion channel, GPCR, and ADC-related assays.
Learn and apply new assay technologies, including ion channel and GPCR functional assays, with guidance from senior team members and internal or external subject matter experts as needed.
Perform laboratory experiments with attention to detail, scientific rigor, and adherence to established protocols.
Troubleshoot assay performance, instrumentation, reagent, or workflow issues in partnership with senior scientists and automation colleagues.
Maintain accurate, timely, and well-organized records in electronic laboratory notebooks and other data systems.
Prepare clear summaries of experimental results for internal team discussions, program updates, and cross-functional meetings.
Collaborate with colleagues across Functional Bioassay, Automation, Biology, Protein Sciences, Data Science, and program teams to ensure experiments are well coordinated and aligned with project needs.
Follow laboratory safety practices, sample handling requirements, data integrity expectations, and Generate’s scientific standards.