Scientist, Biochemistry

Element Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Discretionary annual bonus

No cost health insurance plans

401k with company match

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

Element Biosciences seeks an experienced Scientist, Biochemistry to join the R&D team in San Diego. The role focuses on developing, optimizing, and supporting protein-based reagents and assays across sequencing and multiomic portfolios.

The candidate should have a PhD with 2+ years in industry, strong protein biochemistry expertise, and proven ability to troubleshoot complex assays; on-site in San Diego with collaboration across chemistry, biology, engineering, and manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, or related field with at least 2 years industry experience.
• Strong foundation in protein biochemistry and biochemical assay development.
• Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting complex assays.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, optimization, and validation of protein-based assays supporting sequencing and multiomic workflows.
• Design, execute, and interpret experiments focused on protein reagents, antibodies, enzymes, and other biologically derived reagents.
• Develop and optimize reagent formulations to improve assay performance, stability, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Design rigorous experiments using sound statistical principles to identify root causes and solve complex technical problems.
• Establish analytical methods for protein characterization, qualification, and quality assessment.
• Support technology transfer of assays and reagents from research into product development and manufacturing.
• Generate detailed experimental documentation, technical reports, protocols, and design recommendations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams including chemistry, molecular biology, systems engineering, software, operations, manufacturing, quality, and product management.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute technical expertise across multiple R&D projects.
• Present scientific findings to cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

Skills

Protein biochemistry

Biochemical assays

DOE / stats

Mass spectrometry

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or related field

Tools

JMP

GraphPad Prism

Job description

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We are seeking an experienced Scientist, Biochemistry to join our Research and Development team. This role will play a key part in developing, optimizing, and supporting protein-based reagents, assays, and workflows across both our next-generation sequencing and multiomic product portfolios. The ideal candidate is a hands-on experimental scientist with deep expertise in protein biochemistry, assay development, and reagent characterization who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and collaborating across multiple disciplines.

This position will work closely with scientists and engineers across chemistry, molecular biology, instrument development, software, manufacturing, and product development to invent new technologies, improve existing products, and enable successful product commercialization. This role will report to our Associate Director, Biochemistry and will be an on-site San Diego based role.

If you possess the following and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, optimization, and validation of protein-based assays supporting sequencing and multiomic workflows
• Design, execute, and interpret experiments focused on protein reagents, antibodies, enzymes, and other biologically derived reagents
• Develop and optimize reagent formulations to improve assay performance, stability, robustness, and manufacturability
• Design rigorous experiments using sound statistical principles to identify root causes and solve complex technical problems
• Establish analytical methods for protein characterization, qualification, and quality assessment
• Support technology transfer of assays and reagents from research into product development and manufacturing
• Generate detailed experimental documentation, technical reports, protocols, and design recommendations
• Drive troubleshooting efforts for challenging technical issues across multiple product development programs
• Evaluate emerging technologies and scientific literature to identify innovative solutions and new opportunities
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams including chemistry, molecular biology, systems engineering, software, operations, manufacturing, quality, and product management
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute technical expertise across multiple R&D projects
• Present scientific findings to cross-functional teams and senior leadership

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, or related discipline with 2+ years of relevant industry experience
• Strong foundation in protein biochemistry and biochemical assay development
• Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting complex biological assays
• Experience designing experiments and analyzing multidimensional datasets
• Excellent communication and technical documentation skills
• Experience working with recombinant proteins, antibodies, antibody conjugates, enzymes, or affinity reagents
• Hands‑on experience with protein analytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, western blotting, ELISA, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence-based assays, HPLC/FPLC, SEC, DLS, SPR, BLI, or mass spectrometry
• Experience developing quantitative biochemical assays for research or commercial products
• Familiarity with DOE methodologies and statistical analysis software such as JMP or GraphPad Prism
• Experience supporting regulated product development, design controls, or technology transfer is highly desirable
• Experience developing reagents or assays for genomics, sequencing, spatial biology, or multiomic applications is a plus
• Ability to balance multiple projects in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment

Physical Requirements:

Frequently moves laboratory materials and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. Regular laboratory work requiring the use of standard laboratory equipment, chemicals, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Must be able to safely perform laboratory procedures while following established safety protocols.

Location: San Diego – on-site

Travel: Up to 5%, if any

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range: $116,000 - $149,000

In addition to base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off.

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.