Scientist, Stem Cell Biology

Conception•Berkeley, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Conception is pioneering the future of reproductive biology by generating functional human eggs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We are bringing together stem cell biology, developmental biology, reproductive biology, genomics, and engineering to solve problems that have not been solved before. For this role, we are looking for someone with deep expertise in pluripotent stem cells. We are looking for an excellent, hands-on stem cell scientist with demonstrated experience working with pluripotent stem cells and independently driving complex experimental work. Strong stem cell experience is critical. We are particularly interested in scientists who have worked extensively with human and/or nonhuman primate iPSCs or ESCs, including stem cell derivation or line establishment, expansion, banking, differentiation, and characterization. At the Scientist level, we expect someone to independently own technically complex workflows: design experiments, execute them carefully, troubleshoot when they fail, interpret the resulting data, and determine what to do next. You should be comfortable systematically improving protocols rather than simply following them. Experience taking PSCs through differentiation into specialized cell states is particularly valuable. Experience with QC assay development, epigenetic characterization, 3D culture, reproductive or developmental biology, and computational analysis of genomic readouts is also highly relevant. This is a bench-heavy role. We are looking for someone who likes doing difficult experimental work and is comfortable executing, troubleshooting, repeating, improving, and mastering technically demanding workflows.

Requirements

PhD or equivalent experience in stem cell biology, developmental biology, reproductive biology, cell biology, bioengineering, or a related field
Strong hands-on pluripotent stem cell experience is required, ideally with human and/or nonhuman primate iPSCs or ESCs
Experience with PSC derivation or line establishment, culture, differentiation, and characterization
Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments
Excellent experimental judgment, attention to detail

Nice To Haves

Experience taking PSCs through differentiation into specialized cell states
Experience with QC assay development
Epigenetic characterization
3D culture
Reproductive or developmental biology
Computational analysis of genomic readouts
Experience analyzing and interpreting transcriptomic and epigenetic sequencing data is highly desirable, including bulk and/or single-cell datasets

Responsibilities

Build and advance pluripotent stem cell systems that are central to developing stem-cell-derived reproductive cells
Develop and optimize approaches for PSC derivation, differentiation, and cell-state control
Design experiments to understand what drives successful differentiation, cell quality, and developmental progression
Build molecular and epigenetic readouts to characterize cell identity, quality, and function
Use experimental and computational data to uncover what is working, what is failing, and what to try next