Scientist - Genetic Medicine R&D

Engage Bio; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Engage Bio seeks a motivated Scientist to support R&D efforts in optimizing the production of Tethosome nucleic acids. This role offers exposure to early-stage biotech research, working in a dynamic lab environment, contributing to molecular biology, cell biology, and platform development.

Benefits

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

Performance-based bonus

Equity compensation

Regular catered talks/events

Dynamic community of biotech innovators

Team lunches twice a week

Qualifications

• Recent graduates or those with postdoctoral/industry experience welcome.
• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid purification is valuable.
• Generalist background in molecular biology will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to optimize, produce and purify Tethosome nucleic acids.
• Develop and optimize chromatographic workflows for purification.
• Collaborate across functions and drive independent contributions.

Skills

Molecular cloning

Mammalian cell culture

Bacterial fermentation optimization

Clear written and verbal scientific communication

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Chromatographic workflows

Job description

This range is provided by Engage Bio. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$100,000.00/yr - $130,000.00/yr

Additional compensation types

Annual Bonus and Stock options

About Engage Bio

Engage Bio is redefining what’s possible in genetic medicine. Our proprietary Tethosome platform overcomes the two biggest barriers to non-viral DNA therapies: insufficient expression and cytoplasmic DNA-driven toxicity . Tethosomes achieve >100-fold increased expression relative to conventional DNA vectors while evading innate immune detection, combining the potency of mRNA with the long-term durability of DNA . A single dose of our therapies has the potential to turn tissues of the body (for example the liver or the lung) into factories for protein therapeutics - with the potential for years of expression , and unlike viral therapies, we have the ability to redose when needed .

We're advancing treatments across a broad spectrum of diseases: from ultra-rare genetic disorders to common chronic conditions that affect millions.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a highly motivated Scientist to support our R&D team across key preclinical research activities. Your primary initial focus will be optimizing the optimization, production and chromatographic purification of Tethosome nucleic acids , but you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute broadly across molecular biology, cell biology, and platform development efforts.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain broad exposure to early-stage biotech R&D , spanning projects from early concept through IND-enabling studies.

What You'll Do

• Lead efforts to optimize, produce and purify Tethosome nucleic acids at research scale, large animal toxicity study scale, and beyond
• Develop and optimize chromatographic workflows for nucleic acid purification
• Design and execute molecular biology and assay-based experiments to support platform innovation
• Deliver high-quality data packages to inform decision-making across the R&D team
• Contribute to new assay development, protocol optimization, and exploratory technology evaluations
• Collaborate across functions and bring a generalist mindset to dynamic project needs

Who You Are

• PhD in Molecular Biology or a related field. Recent graduates are welcome, as are those with relevant postdoctoral or industry experience
• Hands-on experience with chromatographic nucleic acid purification is highly valuable
• Candidates with expertise in purifying other biomolecules, or those with a strong generalist background in molecular biology, will also be considered (particularly those with a demonstrated ability to adapt quickly and solve technical challenges)

As a scientist who enjoys cross-functional work and fast-paced problem-solving, tell us about your experience in your cover letter , particularly in any of the following:

• Molecular cloning (e.g., Gibson or Golden Gate assembly)
• Mammalian cell culture and transfection
• Bacterial fermentation optimization
• High-throughput assays (96- or 384-well formats)
• Working in fast-moving R&D teams with rapidly evolving priorities
• Clear written and verbal scientific communication
• Writing protocols/reports/SOPs
• Collaborating across disciplines while driving independent contributions

We’re looking for someone to help us maintain (and accelerate!) our fast-paced work. This will be a predominantly lab-based position and will require the candidate to be on-site full-time.

We have an amazing space at MBC Biolabs, San Carlos (https://mbcbiolabs.com), which features:

• State of the art scientific instruments
• Fully stocked kitchen + regular catered talks/events; team lunches twice a week
• Dynamic community of biotech innovators (and ping pong tournaments!)
• $100-130,000 base salary per year (depending on experience level)
• Significant equity compensation
• Performance-based bonus
• Full Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

Join Us

We’re a mission-driven team working to eliminate human disease. If you’re ready to contribute to high-impact science, push technical boundaries, and grow with an ambitious early-stage company, we’d love to meet you.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

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