Development Scientist, Immunoassay Development

About Freenome 

Freenome is a high growth biotech company on a mission since 2014 to create tools that empower everyone to prevent, detect, and treat their disease.  To achieve this mission, Freenome is developing next-generation blood tests to detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages using our multiomics platform and machine learning techniques. Our first blood test will detect early-stage colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas.

At Freenome, you will help develop automated, multiplex immunoassays to analyze patient samples and contribute to our mission of early detection and intervention in human cancer. As a Development Scientist focused on proteomics, you will provide expertise in immunoassays, and associated method development, and analysis. You will contribute to developing, optimizing, and validating clinical-grade assays to accurately and reproducibly measure proteins from blood. You will work closely with engineers to automate the assays and with clinical staff to transfer technologies into a regulated, high-throughput environment. You will use your analytical and programming abilities to identify ways to rapidly iterate and improve on existing methods, and you will work closely with computational biologists to evaluate technologies that can enhance our end-to-end test performance.

How you’ll contribute:

• Apply expert knowledge of protein biochemistry to develop quantitative, multiplex assays.
• Develop assays by converting manual prototypes into optimized, high-throughput validated assays.
• Analyze existing and development method data to identify workflow and protocol improvements.
• Lead from the bench by training and mentoring scientists while also performing your own experiments in order to facilitate rapid progress toward project goals.
• Collaborate with computational biologists and software engineers to build analysis pipelines and to integrate new molecular technologies into analytical workflows.
• Collaborate with clinical laboratory members to transition development protocols into production, including automation, validation experiments, and SOP development.

What you bring: 

• PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in biochemistry, immunology, genetics, chemistry, or a related field with 1+ years' industry experience in protein-based assay development
• Broad, expert-level knowledge of protein assays, including general protein biochemistry as well as specific optimizations for antibody-based methods (e.g. ELISAs, Western blots) and common analytical platforms (e.g. Luminex, MSD).
• Proven track record of establishing new methods that go beyond kitted assays.
• Ability to design for automated platforms in plate-based, low-volume formats and/or microfluidics and experience working with automated liquid handlers.
• Hands-on proficiency in managing technology transfer requirements, including guard-banding, stability studies, and in-process quality control.
• Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment (CLIA, GLP/GCLP, IVD development).
• Clear communications skills and ability to work with team members in the same and adjacent disciplines.
• Understanding of immunology, cancer biology, and/or the biology of human plasma.
• Experience mentoring and training research associates and junior scientists
  

   

COVID safety:

As a condition of employment, you agree to know and comply with our COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring all employees who work on-site and/or attend work-related events to be fully vaccinated and to receive a COVID-19 booster once eligible. Company employees working on-site are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and to receive a COVID-19 booster once eligible, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law. Absent a reasonable accommodation or legal exception, you agree to provide proof of your vaccination status and to be fully vaccinated by your first day on-site, in accordance with our policy.  If you are currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster, you also agree to provide proof of having received a booster.  If you are not yet eligible for a COVID-19 booster, you must provide proof of receiving a booster within two weeks of becoming eligible.

Freenome is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. Freenome does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Funding

We have raised more than $1.1B from leading investors including Perceptive Advisors, RA Capital Management, Roche Venture Fund, Kaiser Permanente, Novartis and the American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge Ventures. 

Freenomers

A ‘Freenomer’ is a mission-driven employee who is fueled by the opportunity to make a positive impact on patients' lives, who thrives in a culture of respect and cross collaboration, and whose work makes a significant impact on the company and their career. 

Freenomers are technical, creative, visionary, grounded, empathetic and passionate. We build teams around divergent expertise, allowing us to solve problems and ascertain opportunities in unique ways. Freenomers are some of the most talented experts in their fields, joining together to advance healthcare, one breakthrough at a time. 

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Competitive compensation 
• Pre-IPO equity
• Flexible PTO (exempt) and generous PTO (non-exempt) 
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision 
• Wellness and mental health resources, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), Paid maternity and paternity leave
• 401(k) plan 
• $250.00 new hire stipend to enhance your home office experience
• Plus, a variety of other perks, including pre-tax commuter benefits, two paid volunteer days per year, pet insurance, and additional discounts 

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.  

• Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

• Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

Notice to agencies:

Our in-house Talent Acquisition Team manages all employment opportunities at Freenome.  Agencies and independent recruiters must be approved as a vendor by Freenome’s Talent Acquisition team before submitting candidates to any Freenome employee. 

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or biographies from agencies under any circumstances. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Freenome, including those sent to a Freenome email address or directly to Freenome employees, will be considered Freenome property. Freenome will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Freenome will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. 

Please do not contact Freenome employees directly. Compliance with this request will impact our decision to work with you.