Sr Research Scientist/Principal Scientist

PreCyte Inc. is a biotech startup that develops innovative diagnostic tests for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, WA. PreCyte and scientists from the Seattle Children’s Research Institute are collaborating to develop a novel blood-based diagnostic platform to identify disease signatures in patient’s blood. The platform is based on exposing standardized cultured cells to patient’s blood and measuring the transcriptional response of the cells to identify biomarkers of disease. PreCyte supports a healthy work-life balance and offers great benefits.

Job Description

PreCyte is seeking a senior research scientist to work with a small and highly collaborative team to develop and apply the company's targeted blood-based diagnostic technology for early detection of Alzheimer's disease and lung cancer. The primary roles of the senior scientist will be to work with the laboratory technician and data scientist to optimize the cell-based assays, gene expression analyses, and disease classifiers, and to use the cell-based assay to identify biomarkers in the blood.


ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • effectively collaborate with laboratory technician, data scientist and team leader to generate, analyze and interpret gene expression and other data  
  • work with data scientist to use gene expression and clinical data to train and test machine learning-based disease classifiers
  • conceive, conduct, and analyze experiments using a variety of cell-based and biochemical assays, and serum fractionation techniques
  • pay careful attention to details of experimental design and results to understand and control technical variation
  • think critically to identify and overcome process failures
  • develop and implement approaches to automate and miniaturize cell-based assays
  • measure and improve assay robustness by band-guarding experimental parameters
  • use time efficiently, adhere to careful documentation and organization practices, and be goal oriented


QUALIFICATIONS

  • PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, systems biology or related field with 4+ years laboratory experience in an industrial or academic setting
  • expertise with a variety of cell and molecular biology techniques, including mammalian cell culture, transfections, RNA isolation, protein fractionation, and western blotting
  • experience in generation and analysis of gene expression data using tools like RT-PCR, Nanostring™ or RNA-seq
  • a track record of successful contribution to research projects, preferably with assay development, or analyses of large-scale datasets
  • ability to effectively interact and collaborate with lab and computational scientists
  • excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • demonstrated ability to work independently/autonomously
  • aptitude and interest in biostatistics and computational biology

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • experience with computational data analysis, statistical analyses, proficiency in R and interest in machine learning
  • expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and/or cancer research
  • experience with cell-based assay development or biomarker discovery


Other Job Details: PreCyte offers 401(k), health benefits, stock options, PTO/vacations. PreCyte is an equal opportunity employer to all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. PreCyte also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements. 

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