Research Scientist I/II

Freenome; Brisbane (CA); On-site; USD 132,050 - 167,475; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Cash bonuses

Medical benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Freenome is seeking a Research Scientist I/II in Genomics to design and execute NGS-based assays and biomarker studies on clinical samples. You will work closely with computational biologists and machine learning scientists to provide biological insights and to accelerate diagnostic development.

This onsite role reports to a Manager of Molecular Research. You will prototype new NGS methods, optimize existing workflows, analyze diverse datasets, and present results at internal meetings.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with strong experimental and data-analysis skills.
• Hands-on NGS workflows including sample prep, library prep, sequencing.
• Deep understanding of cell-free nucleic acids, single-cell methods, cancer biology.
• Ability to analyze complex data and present results clearly.
• Proven track record of designing and executing successful experiments.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and execute experiments to optimize assays.
• Prototype new NGS methods and run biomarker discovery studies.
• Coordinate tasks with cross-functional teams and plan timelines.
• Document data meticulously and communicate lessons learned.
• Troubleshoot workflows and drive lab improvements.
• Perform advanced data analysis and visualization to guide decisions.
• Prepare and present results at internal meetings with clear conclusions.

Skills

NGS analysis

Data analysis

Biomarker discovery

Scientific communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Adaptability

Education

PhD in molecular biology/biochemistry/genetics or related field

Bachelor's or Master’s with 8+ years life sciences experience

Tools

Python

R

ELN

LIMS

Job description

At Freenome, you will help develop the assay technologies used to analyze patient samples and contribute to our mission of early detection and intervention in human disease. As a Research Scientist I/II, you will provide experience in next-generation-sequencing (NGS)-based analyses of DNA. As a Research Scientist in Genomics, you will contribute to the program’s technical base by creating and optimizing new next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays and workflows for DNA/RNA, or to the program’s scientific base by elevating our understanding of the biological context of these assay signals in cancer. In this role, you will perform studies to evaluate emergent technologies that have the potential to improve our diagnostic tests, and collect and analyze NGS datasets (including genomics, epigenomics, and transcriptomics) for biomarker discovery. You will also work closely with computational biologists and machine learning scientists to provide biological and technical insights, and to provide new data sources to enhance ongoing computational research projects.

The role reports to a Manager of Molecular Research. This role will be an Onsite role.

What you’ll do:

• Independently design and execute experiments to help optimize the performance of Freenome’s new or existing assays.
• Prototype new next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods, optimize the performance of existing assays, and execute biomarker discovery studies on clinical samples.
• Assist with project planning and timeline generation and work with cross-functional teams to coordinate tasks within and across projects.
• Take detailed notes, gather high-quality data, and openly communicate on lessons learned while performing experiments.
• Independently troubleshoot workflows and understand the rationale behind workflow optimization choices.
• Help with process improvements across the lab by thinking critically about the execution of all experiments.
• Perform advanced analysis and data visualization of results to answer experimental questions and guide next steps.
• Prepare and present experiment or project results at internal meetings, with clear articulation of goals, results, conclusions, and how results presented fit in to broader project.

Must haves:

• PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or a related field or Bachelor’s or Master’s with 8+ years experience post-Bachelor’s in the life sciences (industry and/or academia).
• Hands-on experience with and expert-level knowledge in NGS based workflows including sample preparation, library preparation, target capture, and sequencing.
• Biological understanding of human cell-free nucleic acids, single-cell analysis methods, immunology, and/or cancer biology.
• Ability to perform advanced data analysis and critically examine experimental results.
• Proven track record of designing and running successful experiments, preparing data for review, and giving effective scientific presentations.
• Clear and proactive communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with team members in the same and adjacent disciplines.
• Flexible and highly motivated to learn new skills and comfortable adapting to changing priorities.

Nice to haves:

• Ability to perform bioinformatic analysis in a scientific programming language (e.g., Python or R).
• Experience handling and preparing blood and/or tissue samples.
• Experience running high-throughput experimental designs and/or assays on an automated liquid handling platform.
• Experience using ELN (electronic lab notebook) and LIMS (lab information management system).

Benefits and additional information:

The US target range of our base salary rate for new hires is $132,050 - $167,475. You will also be eligible to receive equity, cash bonuses, and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the position offered. Please note that individual total compensation for this position will be determined at the Company’s sole discretion and may vary based on several factors, including but not limited to, location, skill level, years and depth of relevant experience, and education. We invite you to check out our career page @ freenome.com/job-openings/ for additional company information.

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.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

California applicants please review the CCPA Notice at Collection here:

Freenome’s mission relies heavily on optimizing and innovating next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays. Can you describe a specific instance where you independently designed an experiment to troubleshoot or optimize a complex NGS workflow (e.g., sample preparation, library preparation, or target capture)? What challenges did you face, and how did you critically evaluate the data to guide your next steps? *

In this role, you will work closely with computational biologists and machine learning scientists to provide biological insights for biomarker discovery. Tell us about a time you collaborated with computational teams or stakeholders in adjacent disciplines on a genomics dataset. How did you communicate your biological findings to guide the project? (Note: If you have experience using Python or R for your own bioinformatic analysis, please highlight how you utilized it in this project). *

A key aspect of this role is evaluating emergent technologies and understanding the biological context of assay signals in cancer. Briefly describe your hands‑on expertise with human cell‑free nucleic acids, single‑cell analysis methods, immunology, and/or cancer biology. How have you previously prototyped a new method or evaluated an emerging technology to improve biological detection or answer a challenging scientific question? *

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