Scientist I / Scientist II, Biochemistry R&D

PacBio; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

PacBio is seeking a Scientist I or Scientist II to join Biochemistry and Reagents R&D as a versatile bench scientist supporting multiple programs. You may purify proteins, prepare HiFi libraries, and run sequencing chemistry experiments, contributing across projects in a collaborative team.

The role requires a hands-on biochemist or molecular biologist who learns quickly, welcomes coaching, and can work across many workflows with precision. Onsite 4 days/week, with some flexibility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or related field.
• Hands-on bench skills in molecular biology and biochemistry with multi-step protocols.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Experience with NGS library preparation or similar workflows.
• Proficiency in nucleic acid and protein QC methods.
• Ability to learn new techniques quickly and manage multiple experiments.
• Coachable and collaborative; receptive to feedback.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute protein expression and purification with FPLC-based and plate-based HT methods.
• Prepare HiFi sequencing libraries and run chemistry experiments.
• Execute targeted enrichment workflows following PacBio protocols.
• Learn new protocols quickly and switch between projects as priorities shift.
• Perform QC on nucleic acids and proteins and evaluate against metrics.
• Analyze and present data in team meetings and reports.
• Maintain electronic lab notebook records and help troubleshoot protocols.
• Collaborate with Biochemistry and Reagents R&D, Bioinformatics, and Product Development.
• Scientist II level: work independently across workflows, troubleshoot, and help train staff.

Skills

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Recombinant protein expression

NGS library prep

QC methods

Fast learner

Collaborative

Strong communication

Education

PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field

Job description

Scientist I / Scientist II, Biochemistry R&D

PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) is a premier life science technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced sequencing solutions to help scientists and clinical researchers resolve genetically complex problems. Our mission is to enable the promise of genomics to better human health. Genomics is core to all biological processes, and our advanced genomics tools provide scientists and clinical researchers the insights to better understand biology and health. We are now entering the century of biology and genomics is at the heart of the next revolution. Become part of the new paradigm in gene sequencing and help shape the future of genomic study by joining the PacBio team.

About Biochemistry R&D: We are PacBio’s upstream research engine for third-generation sequencing chemistry and applications. Our team explores new enzymes, reaction chemistries, and molecular workflows, and tests feasibility of ideas that become PacBio’s next products. When a concept works, it moves from our bench into Product Development and eventually onto sequencers in labs around the world. Some of our recent work spans HiFi library preparation, targeted enrichment of complex loci, and native detection of DNA modifications. We are a small, rigorous, and curious group. We pair hands‑on biochemistry with sequencing data, work closely with Bioinformatics, Engineering, and Product teams, and give scientists real ownership of problems that matter.

Position Summary:

PacBio is seeking a Scientist I or Scientist II (level commensurate with experience) to join the Biochemistry and Reagents R&D group as a versatile bench scientist supporting multiple research programs. In a given week, you may execute protein purifications alongside the group’s protein purification lead, prepare HiFi sequencing libraries, run sequencing chemistry experiments, and carry out targeted enrichment workflows using established PacBio protocols. Success in this role comes from mastering a wide range of protocols quickly, moving between them seamlessly, and executing each with precision. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on biochemist or molecular biologist who learns fast, welcomes coaching, and enjoys contributing across many projects in a collaborative team. Candidates coming directly from academic research are encouraged to apply. You do not need to match every bullet below; if you believe you would be an excellent fit, please apply.

Responsibilities:

• Execute protein expression and purification protocols, including FPLC‑based and plate‑based high‑throughput preparations, in partnership with the group’s protein purification lead.
• Prepare HiFi sequencing libraries and run sequencing chemistry experiments on PacBio platforms.
• Execute targeted enrichment workflows following PacBio protocols, including testing new guide RNA designs.
• Learn new protocols quickly and move between projects and workflows as priorities change, while maintaining high quality and reproducibility.
• Perform QC on nucleic acids and proteins (e.g., Qubit, Femto Pulse or Bioanalyzer, SDS‑PAGE) and evaluate results against defined performance metrics.
• Analyze and present data in team meetings and written reports.
• Maintain rigorous electronic lab notebook records and contribute to protocol troubleshooting and improvement.
• Collaborate with scientists across Biochemistry and Reagents R&D, Bioinformatics, and Product Development.
• Scientist II level: execute across workflows with greater independence, troubleshoot and optimize protocols, and help train Research Associates.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field. Scientist I: recent PhD, which may include a postdoc (minimum of 0–2 years). Scientist II: 2+ years of relevant postdoctoral or post‑PhD industry experience.
• Strong hands‑on bench skills in molecular biology and biochemistry, with a record of executing complex, multi‑step protocols reliably.
• Hands‑on experience with recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Experience with NGS library preparation or comparable multi‑step molecular workflows.
• Proficiency in nucleic acid and protein QC methods.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new techniques quickly and manage multiple experiments in parallel as priorities shift.
• Coachable and collaborative; seeks out feedback and applies it.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with long‑read sequencing (PacBio HiFi or Oxford Nanopore) or CRISPR‑based targeted sequencing workflows.
• Computational skills, such as data analysis in Python or R.
• Protein structure visualization (e.g., Chimera, PyMOL).
• Laboratory database management or LIMS experience.
• Experience with lab automation or liquid‑handling platforms.

Candidates must have current authorization to work in the United States without the need for present or future sponsorship.

Non‑Field Based Employees are required to be onsite Monday‑Thursday (Friday work from home). Depending on the role, some employees may be required to be 100% onsite.

You may be required from time to time to visit and work at PacBio locations and for such times as the Company considers necessary for the proper performance of your duties.

All listed tasks and responsibilities are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional tasks and responsibilities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

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Salary Range:

$97,400.00 - $168,000.00

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact us at 650-521-8000, or [e-mail] for assistance.

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