Associate Development Scientist

Why join Freenome?

Freenome is a high-growth biotech company developing tests to detect cancer using a standard blood draw. To do this, Freenome uses a multiomics platform that combines tumor and non-tumor signals with machine learning to find cancer in its earliest, most-treatable stages. 

Cancer is relentless. This is why Freenome is building the clinical, economic, and operational evidence to drive cancer screening and save lives. Our first screening test is for colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas, and it’s just the beginning. 

Founded in 2014, Freenome has ~400 employees and continues to grow to match the scope of our ambitions to provide access to better screening and earlier cancer detection.  

At Freenome, we aim to impact patients by empowering everyone to prevent, detect, and treat their disease. This, together with our high-performing culture of respect and cross-collaboration, is what motivates us to make every day count.

Become a Freenomer

Do you have what it takes to be a Freenomer? A “Freenomer” is a determined, mission-driven, results-oriented employee fueled by the opportunity to change the landscape of cancer and make a positive impact on patients’ lives. Freenomers bring their diverse experience, expertise, and personal perspective to solve problems and push to achieve what’s possible, one breakthrough at a time.

About this opportunity:

At Freenome, we are seeking an Associate Development Scientist to help grow our Genomics Assay  Development team. At Freenome, you will help develop the assay technologies used to analyze patient samples and contribute to our mission of early cancer detection. The ideal candidate will work to develop assay technologies for our multiomic platform manually and on robotic platforms. You will develop, characterize, verify, and validate clinical-grade assays to measure complex, blood-based analytes (e.g., whole-genome sequencing of cfDNA). You will work cross-functionally with Research & Development teams, automation and process engineering, computational science, and clinical operations to develop and transfer NGS-based assays in a regulated, high-throughput environment. You are passionate about developing life saving diagnostics using NGS technologies, and you will have a significant impact on the continued growth of an organization dedicated to changing the entire landscape of cancer.

This role reports to the Manager of Genomics Late Stage Development. This role will be an onsite role based in our Brisbane, California headquarters. 

What you’ll do:

• Apply knowledge of molecular biology, nucleic-acid biochemistry, and next-generation sequencing to develop assays for DNA, including genome-wide and targeted approaches
• Participate in experimental design and independently plan and execute mission-critical experiments to optimize and characterize assay performance
• Create and manipulate high impact assay inputs, including use of biological samples and formulation of contrived samples and reagents as required
• Gather high-quality data, take detailed notes, and openly communicate on lessons learned while performing experiments
• Perform data analysis, create summary presentations, and present results cross-functionally
• Perform technical troubleshooting, identify and implement process improvements across the lab by thinking critically about the execution of all experiments
• Build productive working relationships and collaborate with engineers and clinical laboratory members to transition development protocols into clinical production, including automation, validation experiments, and SOP development
• Contribute to writing study protocols and reports. Diligently apply current Good Laboratory and Documentation Practices (cGLP, cGDP)
  

Must haves:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or a related field with at least 5 years of professional experience in the life sciences. Prior experience in clinical diagnostics and/or working in a start-up environment is preferred
• Experience designing and/or executing verification and validation studies for IVD assays in a regulated laboratory environment (GLP)
• Hands-on experience in Next-gen sequencing (NGS) based automated assay development including extraction, library preparation, target capture, and sequencing
• Hands-on experience in nucleic acid preparation, amplification, and quantification (DNA/RNA extraction and purification, PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, Qubit, Fragment Analyzer, Tapestation)
• Experience in working with ctDNA/cfDNA as an analyte in NGS workflows
• Proven track record of designing, planning, and executing successful experiments, interpreting results, preparing data for review, and giving effective scientific presentations
• Experience with automated platforms in plate-based, low-volume formats and/or microfluidics and experience working with automated liquid handlers
• High attention to detail and ability to record accurate and detailed observations, assess impact, and perform troubleshooting as required
• Ability to perform data analysis and to be critical of results obtained during experimentation
• Ability to manually pipette with high confidence, accuracy, and precision
• Clear and proactive communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with team members in the same and adjacent disciplines
• Flexible and highly motivated to learn new skills and comfortable adapting to changing priorities
  

Nice to haves:

• Experience in working with with methylated ctDNA/cfDNA as an analyte in NGS workflows
• Familiarity with programing in a scientific programming language (e.g., Python or R)
  

Benefits and additional information:

The US target range of our base salary rate for new hires is $104,975 - $159,500. You will also be eligible to receive pre-IPO equity, cash bonuses, and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the position offered.  Please note that individual total compensation for this position will be determined at the Company’s sole discretion and may vary based on several factors, including but not limited to, location, skill level, years and depth of relevant experience, and education. We invite you to check out our career page @ freenome.com/job-openings/ for additional company information.  

Freenome is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, and we value diversity. Freenome does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.  

• Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

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