Senior Scientist, Synthetic & Molecular Biology

BeOne Medicines USA, Inc.; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

BeOne Medicines Ltd. in San Carlos, CA, is seeking a Senior Scientist with expertise in Molecular Biology and Synthetic Biology to join our early discovery group.

You will design and optimize next-generation genetic payloads for cell therapy and RNA medicines, serving as a core molecular biology expert across constructs and high-throughput libraries, while collaborating with cell biologists and immunologists.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Immunology, or related field.
• 2+ years post-PhD, 7+ years post-M.S., or 9+ years post-B.S. in relevant experience.
• Advanced proficiency in cloning strategy, high-throughput assembly, construct design, and library generation.
• Experience with Benchling and SnapGene for construct tracking.
• Strong knowledge of lentiviral vector design and mRNA ivT workflows.
• Proven ability to work on site in San Carlos, CA.

Responsibilities

• Proactively propose and implement synthetic biology strategies (gene circuits, inducible promoters, dual-vector logic).
• Design, execute, and troubleshoot modular cloning workflows from targeted constructs to large libraries.
• Design, transcribe, and characterize ivT RNA and optimize lentiviral/AAV payloads.
• Evaluate external CRO workflows and balance internal versus outsourced work to optimize timelines and cost.
• Maintain clean plasmid archives and libraries with mapped registries.
• Collaborate with cell biologists, immunologists, and screening teams to translate payload designs into functional assays.
• Lead design reviews and communicate results to teams and leadership.

Skills

Molecular cloning

High-throughput library design

RNA biology

Flow cytometry

qPCR

NGS data analysis

Education

Ph.D. / M.S. / B.S. in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Benchling

SnapGene

Gibson assembly

Golden Gate

Site-directed mutagenesis

Job description

BeOne continues to grow at a rapid pace with challenging and exciting opportunities for experienced professionals. When considering candidates, we look for scientific and business professionals who are highly motivated, collaborative, and most importantly, share our passionate interest in fighting cancer. Candidates must be able to work onsite in San Carlos, California. At BeOne Institute, we extend BeOne’s execution strength with a dedicated innovation engine, bringing agility and scientific depth to transform uncertainty into actionable and high-impact therapeutic opportunities. We operate according to three core principles: Bold Exploration: we pursue novel and high-potential ideas through rapid, iterative innovation cycles. Strategic Alignment: we prioritize disease areas that align closely with BeOne’s R&D priorities and long-term vision. Pipeline Impact: we translate insights into tangible assets and advance emerging platforms into impactful programs.

At BeOne Medicines, we challenge the status quo to develop first-in-class therapies. We are seeking a highly skilled and driven Senior Scientist with expertise in Molecular Biology and Synthetic Biology to join our early discovery group within our agile biotech ecosystem. In this role, you will design, build, and optimize the next-generation genetic payloads that drive our cell therapy and RNA medicine platforms. You will serve as a core molecular biology expert, designing everything from individual targeted constructs to high-throughput pooled libraries for pooled screens and circuit optimization. While molecular biology is your primary core capability, you will work iteratively with cell biologists, immunologists, and cross‑functional project teams to ideate and rapidly advance lead constructs from in silico concept to in vitro functional validation.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Proactively propose and implement innovative synthetic biology strategies (e.g., gene circuits, inducible promoters, dual-vector logic, novel cell-surface receptors) to address therapeutic hurdles in oncology and immunology.
• Design, execute, and troubleshoot modular molecular cloning workflows (Gibson, Golden Gate, site-directed, high-throughput assembly) spanning individual targeted constructs to large-scale pooled/arrayed DNA libraries for functional screens.
• Design, transcribe, and characterize in vitro transcribed (ivT) RNA and optimize viral vector architectures (lentivirus, AAV) to maximize payload capacity, expression kinetics, and payload stability.
• Evaluate and manage external vendor and CRO workflows (e.g., DNA synthesis, custom cloning, high-throughput plasmid preps, whole-plasmid sequencing), strategically balancing internal bench execution with outsourcing to optimize project timelines, cost, and bandwidth.
• Maintain clean, traceably documented plasmid archives and map registries for team constructs, ensuring seamless cross-functional handoffs.
• Work closely with cell biologists, immunologists, and screening teams to translate payload designs into mammalian functional assays (flow cytometry, qPCR, NGS, reporter readouts) and evaluate lead candidates.
• Lead design reviews, incorporate cross‑functional feedback to refine payload iterations.
• Communicate results to project teams and discovery leadership.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Travel: No

Requirements: Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. degree in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Immunology, or a related scientific field, with 2+ years (Ph.D.), 7+ years (M.S.), or 9+ years (B.S.) of relevant industry, academic, or postdoctoral experience. Advanced proficiency in molecular cloning strategy, high‑throughput assembly methods, construct design, and library generation (regulatory elements, UTRs, promoters, synthetic receptors). Demonstrated mastery of construct design software and electronic inventory management (Benchling, SnapGene), with exceptional organizational skills to track and maintain large libraries of plasmids and map files. Strong practical knowledge of lentiviral vector design principles and mRNA ivT workflows. Demonstrated experience interfacing with molecular biology vendors and CROs, with sound judgment on when to leverage external synthesis/cloning capabilities versus driving complex construct assembly in‑house. Proven track record of generating new scientific concepts, defining research strategies, executing complex benchwork independently, and actively seeking and integrating feedback from multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute experiments, rigorously analyze data, and present results clearly. Ability to work on site in San Carlos, CA.

Preferred: Familiarity with basic protein biology, structure‑function relationships, or protein engineering principles to support receptor and circuit design. Hands‑on experience in lentivirus generation, titering, and transduction optimization. Prior experience working in drug discovery or translational biology environments. Familiarity with primary cell culture (especially T cells or NK cells), CAR/TCR engineering, immuno‑oncology targets, or cell therapy platform development. Experience with quantitative molecular and cellular readouts, including NGS library preparation, flow cytometry (FACS), qPCR, and reporter assays. Basic programming skills in R or Python for biological data processing and analysis.

Global Competencies

• Fosters Teamwork
• Provides and Solicits Honest and Actionable Feedback
• Self‑Awareness
• Acts Inclusively
• Demonstrates Initiative
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Continuous Learning
• Embraces Change
• Results‑Oriented Analytical Thinking/Data Analysis
• Financial Excellence
• Communicates with Clarity

Values

• Patients First
• Driving Excellence
• Bold Ingenuity
• Collaborative Spirit

Salary Range: $136,600.00 - $170,700.00 annually

BeOne is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Actual compensation packages are determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job‑related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location. Packages may vary by location due to differences in the cost of labor. The recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for a preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the listed range reflects the base salary or hourly range only. Non‑Commercial roles are eligible to participate in the annual bonus plan, and Commercial roles are eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan. All Company employees have the opportunity to own shares of BeOne Medicines Ltd. stock because all employees are eligible for discretionary equity awards and to voluntarily participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The Company has a comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. BeOne does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable federal, state or local laws, applicants who require reasonable accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail].

BeOne is a global oncology company that is discovering and developing innovative treatments that are more affordable and accessible to cancer patients worldwide. With a broad portfolio, we are expediting development of our diverse pipeline of novel therapeutics through our internal capabilities and collaborations. We are committed to radically improving access to medicines for far more patients who need them. Our growing global team of more than 11,000 colleagues spans six continents. To learn more about BeOne, please visit www.beonemedicines.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.

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