Senior Scientist, Biochemistry

PacBio • Menlo Park, CA

3d • $128,800 - $193,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

PacBio is seeking a Senior Scientist to join an interdisciplinary team addressing biochemical challenges in the advancement of DNA sequencing technology. The role contributes through hands-on laboratory experimentation, biochemical assay development, experimental design, and data analysis. The ideal candidate is curious, creative, motivated, and enjoys tackling challenging scientific problems, designing informative experiments, and collaborating with colleagues to develop innovative solutions.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2–5 years of related experience; postdoctoral experience may count.
• Strong hands-on experience in biochemical or biophysical experimentation, including assay development, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Scientific curiosity, creativity, and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively use AI-assisted tools for scientific research, experimental design, and data analysis.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Current authorization to work in the United States without the need for present or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy or other single-molecule biophysical techniques.
• Background in DNA polymerases, enzyme kinetics, DNA–protein interactions, or DNA sequencing technologies.
• Experience in molecular biology techniques, including primer design, DNA manipulation, and use of custom-designed DNA substrates.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and quantitative analysis of biochemical or biophysical data.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute hypothesis-driven experiments that generate actionable insights to support sequencing chemistry development.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot biochemical and biophysical assays, including single-molecule approaches, to characterize reaction performance and evaluate potential solutions.
• Design, source, and use custom DNA substrates and other specialized reagents for biochemical and biophysical experiments.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, assess reproducibility, and present findings and conclusions in scientific and project meetings.
• Collaborate with scientists across disciplines to investigate technical challenges and develop solutions guided by biochemical insights.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to experimental planning and scientific discussions.

What This Job Offers

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