Staff Scientist, Assay Development & Integration

Nautilus Biotechnology; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Nautilus Biotechnology is seeking an experienced assay scientist to lead the development and integration of assays on its single-molecule proteomics platform. You will drive assay performance from bench to operation, working with assay, library prep, engineering, and bioinformatics teams.

You will own assay workflows, troubleshoot integration challenges, and design experiments that deliver data-driven direction for research and development.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with 10+ years industry experience or BS/MS with 15+ years.
• Experience developing single-molecule assays.
• Proven ability to integrate assays on complex instruments.
• Hands-on protein labeling, storage, and stability.
• Strong data analysis skills; Python or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of robust assays and reagents with simple, elegant workflows.
• Partner with library prep team to confirm assay reagents work on the platform.
• Define and develop control reagents to evaluate assay performance on the integrated system.
• Develop workflows to remove reagents after each binding cycle while keeping the proteins on the platform intact.
• Design complex, information-rich experiments that guide program direction.
• Solve integration problems across detection, fluidics, optics, surface chemistry, reagents, and software.
• Troubleshoot reagent and binding-cycle issues and drive root-cause actions.
• Lead failure analysis with engineering and bioinformatics, driving improvements.
• Set assay performance metrics and acceptance criteria for go/no-go decisions.
• Analyze large datasets in Python and translate results into R&D recommendations.

Skills

Single-molecule assays

Protein handling

Data analysis (Python)

Cross-functional leadership

Experimental design

Education

PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, chemistry, or related field (10+ years) or BS/MS with 15+ years

Tools

Integrated optics

Fluidics

Surface chemistry

Job description

At Nautilus, we have a big and important mission: improve the health of millions by unleashing the potential of the proteome to accelerate drug development and enable a new world of precision and personalized medicine. We are developing a single-molecule protein analysis platform of unprecedented sensitivity, scale, and ease of use that we believe will democratize access to the proteome, one of the most dynamic and valuable sources of biological insight. To get there, we pursue deep, hard science, and we're building a world-class team of builders, innovators, and dreamers across a wide range of disciplines.

If you're an assay scientist who likes turning a complex, multi-part system into a workflow that works run after run, read on.

This Opportunity

We're developing new assay workflows for our single-molecule proteomics platform. You'll lead assay development and integration, taking new chemistry from the bench onto the instrument and making it work reliably.

Reporting to the program lead, you'll work at the intersection of science, engineering, and operations with our assay, probe development, engineering, and bioinformatics teams. You'll own assay performance on the platform, from first integration experiments to a method that transfers cleanly to operations.

We're looking for a seasoned assay scientist with a record of developing and integrating assays on complex instruments with integrated optics, fluidics, and surface chemistry. You've solved hard integration problems, led teams through them, and you make clear calls from data.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of robust assays and reagents with simple, elegant workflows

• Partner with our library prep team to confirm that assay reagents work as intended on the platform

• Define and develop control reagents to evaluate assay performance on the integrated system

• Develop workflows to remove reagents after each binding cycle while keeping the proteins on the platform intact

• Design complex, information-rich experiments that give the program decisive direction

• Solve integration problems across detection, fluidics, optics, surface chemistry, reagents, and software

• Troubleshoot reagent and binding-cycle issues, from antibody quality to incomplete removal, and drive root cause and permanent corrective actions

• Lead failure analysis with engineering and bioinformatics, and drive performance improvements

• Set assay performance metrics and acceptance criteria, and use them to make go/no-go calls

• Analyze large datasets in Python, use bioinformatic pipelines, and turn results into recommendations for R&D leadership

Key Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related field with 10+ years of industry experience; or BS/MS with 15+ years in a related biotechnology or materials science field

• Deep hands-on experience developing single-molecule assays and analysis techniques

• Demonstrated record of innovation developing protein or molecular biology assays

• Hands-on experience handling proteins, including labeling, storage, and stability

• Track record of integrating assays on complex instruments with integrated optics, fluidics, and assay workflows

• Exceptional experimental design and data analysis skills, including multi-factor experiments

• Proficiency in Python or a similar language for analysis of large datasets

• Track record of leading cross-functional technical work in a fast-moving environment

Preferred

• Experience with protein assays, affinity reagents, or immunoassays

• Experience with surface chemistry and immobilization on flow cells or arrays

• Experience with gentle elution, stripping, or surface regeneration methods

• Background in sequencing, proteomics, or other high-throughput platforms

• Experience transferring methods to operations or manufacturing

• Startup or early-stage product development experience

Nautilus Team Culture

• We are curious go-getters: this is a team of life-long learners who aren't afraid to tackle the big challenges, and we embrace the journey.

• We are detail oriented: we do great science by working smart and with diligence, and we learn from our trials and mistakes.

• We are easy to work with: we want our workplace to be one where everyone can share their perspective and be treated with respect and kindness.