Postdoctoral Fellow, PD and Rare Disease

Denali Therapeutics Inc; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k

Healthcare coverage

ESPP

Other benefits

Job summary

Denali Therapeutics Inc. is seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist to join the Parkinson's and Rare Disease team in South San Francisco.

You will explore lysosomal dysfunction and its role in Parkinson's disease, working with ASAP collaborators across institutions to understand how disease-linked variants affect lysosomal and lipid homeostasis in CNS cells. You will design cellular assays, perform data analysis, and communicate findings through publications, contributing to a high-impact research

Qualifications

• PhD required in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience or related field.
• Experience in membrane trafficking or lysosomal biology is highly desired.
• Proficiency in live-cell imaging and quantitative image analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform research in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Collaborate with colleagues across diverse functional areas to achieve research goals.
• Make detailed observations, analyze data, interpret results, and communicate clearly.
• Design and implement cellular assays to probe lysosomal function and identify novel regulators.
• Attend conferences, write and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Live-cell imaging

Image analysis

Mammalian cell culture

Transfection

Immunofluorescence

Biochemical techniques

Education

PhD in Cell Biology / Biochemistry / Neuroscience or related field

Tools

Western blotting

Immunofluorescence protocols

Live-cell imaging setups

Job description

Denali Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of biotherapeutics designed to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using its proprietary TransportVehicle™ platform. With the first FDA-approved biologic specifically designed to cross the BBB, a clinically validated delivery platform and a growing portfolio of therapeutic candidates across all stages of development, we are advancing toward our goal of delivering effective medicines to transform the lives of people living with neurodegenerative diseases, lysosomal storage disorders and other serious diseases.

We invite you to consider an opportunity with Denali to help achieve our goal of delivering meaningful therapeutics to patients. We are looking to recruit a Postdoctoral Scientist to join our Parkinson's and Rare Disease team to explore the basic cellular mechanisms of lysosomal dysfunction that contribute to Parkinson's disease (PD). This position is part of a larger research effort funded by ASAP (Aligning Science Across Parkinson's), working collaboratively with a multi-institutional network of academic labs to investigate how lysosomal PD risk variants disrupt lysosomal function and alpha-synuclein clearance across CNS cell types. The postdoc will work closely with ASAP-affiliated collaborators across institutions, gaining exposure to complementary expertise, shared resources, and cross-lab data as part of this coordinated effort. Reporting to the therapeutic area leader, the Postdoctoral Scientist will examine the molecular underpinnings of how variants in these disease-linked proteins impact lysosomal and lipid homeostasis in disease-relevant CNS cell types.

Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities:

• Perform research in a dynamic and collaborative environment
• Collaborate with colleagues across diverse functional areas, including human genetics and functional genomics, to achieve research goals
• Make detailed observations, analyze data, interpret results, and communicate clearly
• Design and implement cellular assays to probe lysosomal function and identify novel regulators, including the use of novel activity-based probes
• Attend conferences, write and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals

Qualifications/Skills:

• Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, or related fields with minimum of 0-2 years related experience
• Experience in the field of membrane trafficking or lysosomal biology is highly desired
• Expertise in live-cell imaging and quantitative image analysis
• Experience with iPSC-derived CNS models is a plus
• Proficiency in a broad range of biochemical and cellular techniques including mammalian cell culture and transfection, western blotting, and immunofluorescence
• Highly organized with excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong oral/written communication skills
• Creative thinker with a strong sense of responsibility and collaborative spirit

Salary Range: $80,000.00 to $80,000.00 . Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

“Life at Denali” is a living reflection of our values: trust, unity, grit and growth. These are not just words we share—they shape how we show up, collaborate and push boundaries together. From the lab to the community, across functions and milestones, our culture thrives on shared purpose and relentless pursuit.