Research Embryologist

Preventive; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Preventive is seeking an experienced embryologist to advance our research evaluating the safety of gene-editing technologies in embryos. The role blends hands-on embryology with scientific judgment to troubleshoot experiments, interpret results, and improve laboratory methods in a preclinical setting.

The ideal candidate will coordinate weekly workflows, maintain rigorous records, and contribute to SOPs while working across species and research questions with a small, cross-functional team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.
• At least two years of hands-on human embryology injection experience in a clinical IVF lab or similar setting.
• Proficiency in ICSI, oocyte/embryo culture, and vitrification/warming in at least one mammalian system.
• Ability to perform precise, consistent micromanipulation with aseptic techniques.
• Research or clinical‑research experience in reproductive and early developmental biology.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills with accurate specimen tracking.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute embryology experiments with weekly workflows.
• Perform IVF procedures including media prep, oocyte handling, maturation assessment, sperm prep, IVF, ICSI, and embryo culture.
• Cryopreserve and recover oocytes/embryos with vitrification and warming.
• Assess developmental outcomes and document morphology/quality.
• Troubleshoot methods and improve workflows with team collaboration.
• Maintain complete experimental records and communicate findings and proposed next steps.
• Contribute to SOPs, method qualification, and training of colleagues.

Skills

Embryology

IVF lab experience

Micromanipulation

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology

Tools

ICSI equipment

Cryopreservation equipment

Embryology imaging tools

Job description

Preventive is a public benefit corporation developing next‑generation reproductive‑genetics platforms to eliminate severe genetic disease at its origin. Our mission is to determine whether the newest generation of gene editing technologies can be used safely and responsibly to correct devastating genetic conditions for future children. If proven to be safe, we believe preventive gene editing could be one of the most important health technologies of the century.

About the role

Preventive is seeking an experienced embryologist to help execute and advance our research evaluating the safety of gene‑editing technologies in embryos. Working with a small, cross‑functional team of molecular biologists, you will carry out embryology experiments in relevant mammalian systems, with the scope of the work evolving as our program expands.

This is a hands‑on role combining independent execution of core and advanced IVF laboratory procedures with the scientific judgement to troubleshoot experiments, interpret results, and improve existing methods. The ideal candidate will help organize our weekly embryology workflows, maintain rigorous experiments records, and develop reliable reproducible laboratory practices.

We are particularly interested in candidates who combine strong technical embryology skills with a research or clinical‑research background. Clinical IVF expertise is highly valued, as are curiosity, sound experimental judgement, and a willingness to adapt established methods to new research questions and species. This is a preclinical research position rather than a patient‑care role. Work involving human material will be conducted for research purposes under applicable approvals and material‑use restrictions.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute embryology experiments - Work closely with scientists to plan weekly workflows, prepare materials, organize time‑sensitive procedure, and coordinate handoffs for downstream analyses
• Perform IVF laboratory procedures independently within your demonstrated competencies - Responsibilities include media and dish preparation, oocyte handling and denudation, maturity assessment, sperm preparation, conventional IVF, ICSI, and embryo culture. Extend these capabilities to additional species through appropriate training and qualification.
• Perform oocyte and embryo cryopreservation and recovery - Carry out vitrification and warming, maintain accurate cryostorage records, and support the identification, handling, receipt, and storage of research material.
• Assess and document developmental outcomes - Evaluate oocyte maturity, fertilization, embryo developmental stage, and morphology/quality using defined assessment criteria; maintain accurate observations and relevant imaging records.
• Troubleshoot and improve methods - Collaborate with scientists to investigate unexpected results, evaluate potential sources of variability, and test improvements to embryology workflows. Use scientific literature and internal evidence to inform proposed changes.
• Generate interpretable, traceable research data - Maintain complete experimental records, summarize embryology outcomes, and communicate findings, limitations, and proposed next steps to the team.
• Strengthen laboratory practices - Contribute to standard operating procedures, method qualification, and training of colleagues. Follow approved protocols, biosafety procedures, specimen‑identification requirements, and applicable research oversight and consent‑related restrictions; promptly document and elevate deviations or concerns.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience.
• At least two years of hands‑on human embryology injection experience in a clinical IVF laboratory, reproductive biology research laboratory, or comparable setting, including recent experience independently performing advanced IVF procedures.
• Demonstrated independent proficiency in ICSI, oocyte and embryo culture, and both oocyte and embryo vitrification and warming in at least one relevant mammalian system, together with experience in sperm preparation, fertilization assessment, and embryo morphological assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform precise, consistent micromanipulation and handle sensitive biological material using appropriate aseptic techniques.
• Research or clinical‑research experience in reproductive and early developmental biology, with the ability to interpret experimental outcomes, identify technical problems, and contribute to systematic troubleshooting and method development.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills, including accurate specimen tracking, attention to detail, and reliable execution of time‑sensitive workflows.
• The ability to work independently while communicating effectively within a small, cross‑functional team; willingness to work across species, learn new methods, and contribute to ethically responsible research involving human material.
  

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with human oocytes or embryos in a clinical IVF or research setting. Experience spanning mammalian systems is especially valuable.
• Experience with additional relevant techniques, such as embryo biopsy, in vitro oocyte maturation, research‑focused microinjection, or time‑lapse imaging and analysis.

Experience developing SOPs, evaluating new laboratory methods, or training colleagues in embryology techniques.

Graduate training in embryology, reproductive biology, developmental biology, or a related discipline, and/or relevant professional embryology certification.