(Associate) Scientist, Phenotypic Assay Group - Neuroscience

The Opportunity
The heart of insitro’s strategy is the development of novel, cutting edge methods in machine learning and high-throughput biology that address key bottlenecks in the drug development pipeline. To accomplish this, we are putting together a team of life scientists with expertise in cellular and biochemical assays. In this role, you will lead projects focused on identifying and validating intermediate phenotypes of neuronal disease processes. In collaboration with Functional Genomics, Disease Modelling and Process Engineering groups, you will develop and optimize phenotypic (functional) assays in the context of neurobiological diseases to enable medium to high throughput screening of chemical and genetic libraries. There will be the opportunity for career development and over time taking on the responsibility of target prosecution and establishment of validated biomarker assays that can be used for IND applications and/or clinical development programs.

Your primary duties will be to: 
- Work on a team prosecuting target biologies in neurobiological disease therapeutic areas; 
- Prototype, optimize and qualify in vitro cellular and molecular functional assays including in vitro electrophysiology and other assays of neuronal function that model disease processes; 
- Partner with data scientists and machine learning experts to establish datasets that permit identification of latent features in high-content assays that can be used to predict results obtained from disease-specific assays; 
- design, execute and analyze life-science experiments and present findings to project teams; 
- work with automation and data scientists  to implement robust and high throughput sample preparation, high content screening and data analysis workflows.

You will be joining a biotech startup that has long-term stability due to significant funding, but yet is very much in formation. A lot can change in this early and exciting phase, providing many opportunities for significant impact. You will work closely with a very talented team, learn a broad range of skills, and help shape insitro’s culture, strategic direction, and outcomes. Join us, and help make a difference to patients! 

About You
- B.S. + ~5 years of industry experience, M.S. + ~3 years industry experience or recent a PhD (some industry experience desired) in a relevant technical field (neurobiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, etc.) or equivalent practical experience
- Broad experience with state-of-the-art cell-based neuronal activity assays e.g. calcium imaging, in vitro microelectrode arrays, e.t.c.
- Experience or desire to collaborate with data scientists or computational biologists, engineers and experimental biologistsExperience working as part of a high-performance team, including goal setting, and contributing to a culture of effective, high-quality methods development and reducing those methods to a practical implementation
- Other criteria will include: a record of publications in a relevant scientific discipline; excellent teamwork, communication, time management and organization skills
- Passion for making a difference in the world


Nice to have
- Experience culturing IPSC-derived neurons
- Familiarity with automated or semi-automated instrumentation.


Benefits at insitro
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Open vacation policy
- Team lunches (catered daily)
- Complementary onsite barista and snacks 
- Commuter benefits
- Paid parental leave
- Flexible work schedule (on site and remote)






About insitro
insitro is a drug discovery and development company using machine learning and data generation at scale to transform the way that drugs are discovered and delivered to patients. We rely on human genetic cohorts, human-derived cellular disease models, and high-throughput biology and chemistry to identify coherent patient segments, actionable therapeutic targets, and new or existing chemical matter. The goal is to deliver predictive insights to improve the probability of success and reduce the number of costly dead ends along the R&D journey. The company has established enabling collaborations with Gilead in NASH and Bristol Myers Squibb in ALS and is building a pipeline of wholly owned and partnered medicines leveraging its unique insights on patient biomarkers, targets, and molecules. insitro is located in South San Francisco, CA and has raised over $600M from top tech, biotech, and crossover investors since formation in 2018. For more information on insitro, please visit the company’s website at www.insitro.com.