Staff Scientist, Assay Development & Integration
Nautilus Biotechnology
Summary
We're developing new assay workflows for our single-molecule proteomics platform. You'll lead assay development and integration, taking new chemistry from the bench onto the instrument and making it work reliably.
Job description
This Opportunity
We're developing new assay workflows for our single-molecule proteomics platform. You'll lead assay development and integration, taking new chemistry from the bench onto the instrument and making it work reliably.
Reporting to the program lead, you'll work at the intersection of science, engineering, and operations with our assay, probe development, engineering, and bioinformatics teams. You'll own assay performance on the platform, from first integration experiments to a method that transfers cleanly to operations.
We're looking for a seasoned assay scientist with a record of developing and integrating assays on complex instruments with integrated optics, fluidics, and surface chemistry. You've solved hard integration problems, led teams through them, and you make clear calls from data.
Responsibilities
- Lead design and development of robust assays and reagents with simple, elegant workflows
- Partner with our library prep team to confirm that assay reagents work as intended on the platform
- Define and develop control reagents to evaluate assay performance on the integrated system
- Develop workflows to remove reagents after each binding cycle while keeping the proteins on the platform intact
- Design complex, information-rich experiments that give the program decisive direction
- Solve integration problems across detection, fluidics, optics, surface chemistry, reagents, and software
- Troubleshoot reagent and binding-cycle issues, from antibody quality to incomplete removal, and drive root cause and permanent corrective actions
- Lead failure analysis with engineering and bioinformatics, and drive performance improvements
- Set assay performance metrics and acceptance criteria, and use them to make go/no-go calls
- Analyze large datasets in Python, use bioinformatic pipelines, and turn results into recommendations for R&D leadership
Key Qualifications
Required
- PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related field with 10+ years of industry experience; or BS/MS with 15+ years in a related biotechnology or materials science field
- Deep hands-on experience developing single-molecule assays and analysis techniques
- Demonstrated record of innovation developing protein or molecular biology assays
- Hands-on experience handling proteins, including labeling, storage, and stability
- Track record of integrating assays on complex instruments with integrated optics, fluidics, and assay workflows
- Exceptional experimental design and data analysis skills, including multi-factor experiments
- Proficiency in Python or a similar language for analysis of large datasets
- Track record of leading cross-functional technical work in a fast-moving environment
Preferred
- Experience with protein assays, affinity reagents, or immunoassays
- Experience with surface chemistry and immobilization on flow cells or arrays
- Experience with gentle elution, stripping, or surface regeneration methods
- Background in sequencing, proteomics, or other high-throughput platforms
- Experience transferring methods to operations or manufacturing
- Startup or early-stage product development experience
Requirements
- PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related field with 10+ years of industry experience; or BS/MS with 15+ years in a related biotechnology or materials science field
- Deep hands-on experience developing single-molecule assays and analysis techniques
- Demonstrated record of innovation developing protein or molecular biology assays
- Hands-on experience handling proteins, including labeling, storage, and stability
- Track record of integrating assays on complex instruments with integrated optics, fluidics, and assay workflows
- Exceptional experimental design and data analysis skills, including multi-factor experiments
- Proficiency in Python or a similar language for analysis of large datasets
- Track record of leading cross-functional technical work in a fast-moving environment
- Experience with protein assays, affinity reagents, or immunoassays
- Experience with surface chemistry and immobilization on flow cells or arrays
- Experience with gentle elution, stripping, or surface regeneration methods
- Background in sequencing, proteomics, or other high-throughput platforms
- Experience transferring methods to operations or manufacturing
- Startup or early-stage product development experience
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Group life insurance
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Equity
Company overview
Nautilus Biotechnology is a pioneering life sciences company founded in 2016 that is revolutionizing the field of proteomics through its innovative platform technology. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington with operations in San Carlos, California, the company focuses on quantifying and unlocking the complexity of the human proteome. Nautilus develops a proprietary proteomics platform that leverages a novel method called Iterative Mapping to provide high-resolution views of billions of single protein molecules. The company's technology aims to democratize access to the proteome, enabling fundamental advancements across biomedical research, therapeutic development, and medical diagnostics. With approximately 124-141 employees, Nautilus represents a diverse team of protein chemists, chip designers, molecular biologists, data scientists, and engineers working to transform how drugs are developed and improve human health management. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol NAUT and is positioned to accelerate personalized and predictive medicine through its groundbreaking single-molecule proteomic analysis capabilities.