Scientist 3, Microscopy Specialist

Genentech; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Genentech, Inc. in South San Francisco, CA, seeks a Scientist 3, Microscopy Specialist to lead optical imaging and quantitative analyses in a centralized microscopy hub.

You will guide experimental design, mentor users, and develop robust image-analysis workflows using FIJI/ImageJ, Imaris, and CellPose, supporting drug discovery in gRED while maintaining instruments and data quality.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 3+ years hands-on microscopy experience; Masters with 5+ years considered.
• Experience teaching, mentoring and onboarding users of advanced light microscopy hardware and software.
• Hands-on knowledge of laser scanning confocal, spinning disk, light sheet, and high-content imaging systems.
• Experience developing quantitative image-analysis workflows using FIJI/ImageJ, Imaris, CellPose, or similar tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with cross-functional collaboration across scientific teams.
• Ability to rapidly adopt and implement new imaging platforms and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level consultation and experimental design across advanced imaging modalities (confocal, live-cell, tissue clearing, light sheet, HCS).
• Collaborate with CALM-EM and gRED teams to design and optimize imaging assays for drug discovery questions.
• Lead onboarding and training for microscopy instruments across the community.
• Develop and maintain robust digital image-analysis workflows and pipelines to extract quantitative metrics.
• Maintain and troubleshoot microscope hardware with external service vendors when needed.
• Prepare quantitative imaging data and visualizations for publications, patents, and reviews.
• Balance multiple concurrent projects in a dynamic discovery environment.

Skills

Microscopy expertise

Mentoring & training

Communication

Automation scripting

Education

PhD in optical microscopy or related field

Masters with 5+ years experience considered

Tools

FIJI/ImageJ

Imaris

CellPose

ImageXpress

InCarta

IncuCyte

MetaXpress

Job description

The Position

Bold thinkers, breakthrough makers: Join a team of curious minds who challenge the status quo, create what’s next in science and technology, and have the freedom to turn daring ideas into real breakthroughs.

The Opportunity

The Center for Advanced Light Microscopy and Electron Microscopy (CALM-EM), housed within our Department of Research Pathology, is seeking an experienced and dedicated Scientist 3, Microscopy Specialist to join our centralized microscopy hub. In this role, you will deliver world-class technical expertise in optical microscopy and advanced quantitative image analysis to propel scientific discovery and drug development initiatives across Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED). You will partner directly with project teams across diverse therapeutic areas—providing end-to-end guidance spanning experimental design, modality selection, sample preparation, and downstream computational image analysis.

• Provide high-level technical consultation and experimental design across advanced imaging modalities, including confocal, live-cell imaging, organoids/complex in vitro models, tissue clearing, light sheet microscopy, and high-content screening (HCS) assays.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with CALM-EM team members and gRED research scientists to design, optimize, and execute tailored imaging assays that address critical drug discovery questions.
• Lead user onboarding and hands-on technical training on advanced light microscopy instrumentation, serving as a primary technical resource across the broader scientific community.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust digital image analysis workflows and computational pipelines using scientific software to extract meaningful quantitative metrics from complex imaging datasets.
• Manage, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced microscope hardware platforms independently and in partnership with external service vendors.
• Prepare quantitative imaging data and multi-dimensional visualizations for presentation in high-impact scientific publications, patent applications, and project team reviews.
• Balance and prioritize multiple concurrent research projects in a dynamic, fast-paced discovery research environment.

Who you are

• You hold Ph.D. in a scientific discipline utilizing advanced optical microscopy as a primary research methodology with 3+ years of dedicated, hands-on microscopy core or shared resource experience will also be considered. Masters level candidates with 5+ years relevant experience may be considered.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of teaching, mentoring, and onboarding users across advanced light microscopy hardware platforms and associated acquisition software.
• Bring hands-on working knowledge of advanced microscopy instrumentation, such as laser scanning confocal, spinning disk confocal, light sheet, or high-content imaging systems.
• Possess practical experience developing and applying quantitative digital image analysis workflows using platforms such as FIJI/ImageJ, Imaris, CellPose, or related computational tools.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal and communication skills with a proven history of collaborative, team-oriented problem solving across diverse scientific teams.
• Display exceptional time management, prioritization, and organizational skills with an established ability to rapidly adapt to and adopt emerging imaging platforms and methodologies.

Preferred

• Direct prior experience operating within an academic or industry microscopy core facility or serving as the lead imaging technical specialist for a multidisciplinary research department.
• Specialized expertise in multi-modal imaging workflows (e.g., correlative optical and electron microscopy, combined live-cell and high-content imaging,).
• Experience with automated high-content screening hardware and software (e.g., ImageXpress Micro, IncuCyte, MetaXpress, InCarta).
• Advanced scripting and automation skills for image analysis workflows Practical familiarity with 3D imaging techniques including complex in vitro models, NAMs or tissue clearing methodologies and 3D volumetric light sheet imaging acquisitions.

Location

• This is a lab-based role at our South San Francisco, CA campus. Onsite presence is required.

Relocation benefits are available for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of CA is $103,400 to $192,000. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.