Systems Specialist II

Genentech; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits

Job summary

Genentech, in California, seeks a cryoEM/cryoET expert to join its Structural Biology cryoEM team as a System Specialist II and support drug discovery and fundamental research.

You will deliver high‑resolution cryoEM maps, collaborate across teams, and train facility users from sample prep to data processing, using Titan Krios, Glacios, and advanced detectors in a cutting‑edge environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biophysics, or structural biology with 5+ years, Master’s 3+ years, or PhD 0–2 years in the field.
• Hands‑on cryoET workflows: on‑grid cell culture, FIB milling, tilt-series data collection.
• Proven ability to produce high‑resolution cryoEM maps and/or tomograms.
• Eagerness to grow across grid prep, automated data collection, and facility ops.
• Collaborative and organized with strong communication and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Drive structure-based drug discovery by delivering high‑res cryoEM maps for collaboration teams.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary project teams across Roche and Genentech to solve protein target structures.
• Empower and train facility users through all workflow stages from samples to data processing.
• Operate and maintain cutting-edge cryoEM instrumentation (Titan Krios, Glacios) and detectors.
• Pioneer continuous improvement by testing new protocols and software tools for cryoEM/cryoET.
• Thrive in a state‑of‑the‑art research environment with HPC, cell culture spaces, and data storage.

Skills

CryoET experience

CryoEM data processing

Collaborative skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry/biophysics/structural biology

Master’s degree in biochemistry/biophysics/structural biology

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Titan Krios

Glacios

SelectrisX detectors

Falcon4i detectors

Job description

The Position

The Opportunity

The Department of Structural Biology at Genentech is seeking a cryoEM/cryoET expert to join its cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) team as a System Specialist II and support its mission to enable drug discovery and fundamental research.

Our department offers a highly interdisciplinary environment for drug discovery and biomedical research, with state-of-the-art resources and unparalleled opportunities for scientific collaboration. We integrate macromolecular crystallography, cryoEM, cryoET, and NMR spectroscopy to drive drug discovery and uncover fundamental biology. We explore the structural and functional properties of therapeutic targets and their interactions with diverse ligands both in vitro and in situ to discover and explain biological phenomena relevant to our drug discovery efforts. Our group supports structure-based drug discovery and design pipelines from construct design to structure analysis. We collaborate with scientists throughout the company to advance both traditional small molecule and protein-based drug discovery, as well as to pursue basic research questions regarding protein structure and function.

• Drive structure-based drug discovery by processing data to deliver high-resolution cryoEM maps for collaborative research teams.

• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary project teams across Roche and Genentech to solve complex protein target structures and annotate/analyze in situ tomograms.

• Empower and train facility users across all workflow stages—from initial sample preparation to advanced data processing.

• Operate and maintain cutting-edge instrumentation, including Titan Krios and Glacios microscopes equipped with SelectrisX Falcon4i detectors.

• Pioneer continuous improvement by testing, adapting, and adopting emerging protocols, software tools, and technologies for cryoEM/cryoET.

• Thrive in a supportive, state-of-the-art research environment with centralized high-performance computing, dedicated cell culture spaces, and robust data storage.

Who You Are

• Qualified by education: You hold a Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years, a Master’s degree with 3+ years, or a PhD with 0–2 years of relevant experience in biochemistry, biophysics, or structural biology.

• CryoET Capable: Hands‑on experience with on‑grid cell culture, FIB milling, tilt series data collection and related workflows for cryoET.

• Proficient in cryoEM image processing: You bring a track record of obtaining high‑resolution 3D maps and/or tomograms from cryoEM single‑particle and/or tilt series data.

• Adaptable and eager to grow: You are enthusiastic about expanding your skill set across grid preparation, automated data collection, and facility operations.

• Collaborative and organized: You thrive in team environments, bring strong communication skills, and maintain exceptional attention to detail.

• Passionate about impact: You are excited to apply structural biology techniques to enable groundbreaking drug discovery and improve patient lives.

Together, we’ll advance along the whole patient journey with the aspiration to prevent, stop and cure diseases.

Relocation benefits are available for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $91,900 - $170,700. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.