Genomics Scientist II — NGS & Single-Cell

Xaira Therapeutics; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Xaira Therapeutics is seeking an experienced Scientist II for its Genomics Core to lead high-throughput sequencing workflows on Illumina platforms (MiSeq, NextSeq, NovaSeq). You will design and optimize sequencing strategies for CRISPR-based perturbation studies, single-cell and bulk RNA-seq, and collaborate across biology, automation, and computational teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, independent experimental design, and ongoing optimization of genomics workflows within a startup

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MS/BS with equivalent industry experience in a relevant field.
• Hands-on experience operating Illumina sequencing platforms (MiSeq/NextSeq/NovaSeq).
• Strong experience with 10x Genomics workflows (3’, 5’, ATAC, Multiome, Flex).
• Expertise in NGS library preparation for single-cell and bulk RNA-seq; CRISPR-based sequencing assays.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-quality sequencing on Illumina platforms (MiSeq, NextSeq, NovaSeq).
• Design, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot sequencing workflows to improve data quality and throughput.
• Prepare and QC sequencing libraries for 10x Genomics single-cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and CRISPR-based assays.
• Guide cross-functional teams on sequencing strategy to address biological and computational goals.
• Support Perturb-seq and pooled CRISPR screens; collaborate with automation and computational biology groups.
• Scale automated library preparation and sequencing workflows with automation engineers.
• Ensure data meet quality standards for downstream AI/ML analyses.
• Serve as SME for sequencing technologies and troubleshoot technical challenges.
• Maintain sequencing instruments and lab equipment; manage samples and ELN/LIMS records.
• Evaluate emerging sequencing tech and library prep methods; present updates to teams.

Skills

NGS library preparation

Illumina sequencing

10x Genomics workflows

CRISPR-based sequencing

Experiment design

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

PhD in Functional Genomics or related field

MS/BS with equivalent industry experience

Tools

MiSeq

NextSeq

NovaSeq

10x Genomics

Job description

Xaira Therapeutics is seeking an experienced Scientist II for its Genomics Core to lead high-throughput sequencing workflows on Illumina platforms (MiSeq, NextSeq, NovaSeq). You will design and optimize sequencing strategies for CRISPR-based perturbation studies, single-cell and bulk RNA-seq, and collaborate across biology, automation, and computational teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, independent experimental design, and ongoing optimization of genomics workflows within a startup