Scientist II, qPCR Assay

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Scientist with expertise in PCR-based techniques (qPCR, RT-qPCR, dPCR) and a track record in quantifying siRNA, oligonucleotide therapies, or mRNA. As a Scientist II specializing in PCR assays, you will help quantify siRNA and oligonucleotide therapeutics across our discovery and development pipeline. You will independently design, develop, optimize, qualify or validate qPCR assays to support drug discovery efforts. Your work will involve performing analyte extraction from biological matrices and executing developed qPCR assay to assess PK, PD or TK to support drug discovery. You will represent bioanalytics in meetings, presenting experimental data and contributing to strategic decision-making. You will also collaborate with CROs overseeing method transfer, development, qualification or validation, sample analysis, and data review. Additionally, you will engage with interdisciplinary teams, including bioinformatics, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical development to guide data-driven decisions.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of assay development and therapeutic innovation, contributing to the advancement of cutting-edge oligonucleotide-based therapies. You will report to the Director of Integrated Bioanalytics and this hybrid role requires you to be in our San Francisco office 4 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, develop, and qualify/validate qPCR assays (qPCR, RT-qPCR, dPCR) to ensure accurate quantitation of therapeutic oligonucleotides and mRNA degradation.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and optimize assay performance to generate high-quality, reproducible data.
• Prepare samples for analysis by performing tissue homogenization, immunoaffinity extraction or other relevant analyte extraction techniques.
• Perform PCR assays to determine concentrations of therapeutic candidates in serum, plasma, tissue homogenates, and various cell types to assess PK, PD, and TK.
• Present experimental data, conclusions, and recommendations to key stakeholders and contribute to data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including bioinformatics, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical development, to drive assay development strategies
• Manage and collaborate with CROs and external partners, overseeing method transfer, assay development, qualification/validation, sample analysis, and data delivery.
• Support preclinical and clinical bioanalytical strategies, ensuring assay performance meet regulatory and scientific requirements.
• Author and review study plans, qualification/validation reports, and regulatory documents.
• Maintain compliance with internal SOPs and regulatory guidelines for bioanalytical assays.

About You

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, analytical sciences, or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience; or M.S. with 5+ years of industry experience; or B.S. with 7+ years of experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
• Hands-on experience in qPCR, RT-qPCR, SL-qPCR, and/or dPCR assay development, troubleshooting, and assay qualification/validation.
• Background in nucleic acid extraction, immunoaffinity extraction and sample preparation in complex biological matrices (plasma, serum, tissue, etc.).
• Ability to focus on optimizing assay performance and interpret assay results.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools for PCR assay design and data analysis.
• Experience working in a cross-functional team environment, collaborating with bioinformatics, pharmacology, and clinical teams.
• Familiarity with regulatory bioanalytical method validation guidelines (e.g., FDA, EMA, ICH M10).
• Prior experience managing CRO collaborations and assay transfers.
• Prior experience with siRNA, aptamer, or antisense oligonucleotide therapies.

Compensation & Benefits at insitro

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $130,000 - $145,000. To determine starting pay, we consider multiple job-related factors including a candidate's skills, education and experience, market demand, business needs, and internal parity. We may also adjust this range in the future based on market data.

This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Performance Bonus Plan (based on company targets by role level and annual company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies.

In addition, insitro also provides our employees:

• 401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as mental health and well-being support
• Open, flexible vacation policy
• Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)
• Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
• Support to attend professional conferences that are meaningful to your career growth and role's responsibilities
• New hire stipend for home office setup
• Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
• Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
• Access to free onsite fitness center for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
• Access to a free commuter bus and ferry network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area

insitro is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams–grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences–and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.

#LI-Onsite

About insitro   insitro is a drug discovery and development company using machine learning (ML) and data at scale to decode biology for transformative medicines. At the core of insitro’s approach is the convergence of in-house generated multi-modal cellular data and high-content phenotypic human cohort data. We rely on these data to develop ML-driven, predictive disease models that uncover underlying biologic state and elucidate critical drivers of disease. These powerful models rely on extensive biological and computational infrastructure and allow insitro to advance novel targets and patient biomarkers, design therapeutics and inform clinical strategy. insitro is advancing a wholly owned and partnered pipeline of insights and therapeutics in neuroscience, oncology and metabolism. Since launching in 2018, insitro has raised over $700 million from top tech, biotech and crossover investors, and from collaborations with pharmaceutical partners. For more information on insitro, please visit www.insitro.com.