Scientist, Discovery Biology
Reports To: Principal Scientist, Discovery Biology
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Job Summary
Switch Therapeutics is seeking a talented Scientist to join the Discovery Biology group at Switch. We are pioneering a novel RNAi therapeutic modality, Conditional Activated siRNA (CASi), incorporating both an active siRNA component and a sensor which maintains the siRNA in an inactive state in the absence of a biomarker. We are looking for a candidate who can apply their training and experience in cell biology and molecular biology to the advancement of Switch’s efforts to develop innovative oligonucleotide therapeutics. The position will report to Principal Scientist, leader of the Discovery Screening Group, and will play an integral role in building Switch’s drug discovery strategy.
This role will require full-time onsite work at our research facilities in South San Francisco.
The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $100,000- $125,000 per year depending on experience. However, base pay offered may vary depending on other multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity in the Company, a discretionary annual bonus, in addition to a full range of healthcare, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.
If hired, the employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to careers@switchthera.com
Responsibilities
- Design and execute in vitro cell-based assays for oligonucleotide drug efficacy, off-target, cytotoxicity, etc., screening to support discovery programs and platform development
- Optimize and streamline in-house screening processes with automation/liquid handler and a robust data management process
- Analyze complex datasets and communicate the data to project teams, colleagues, and senior leadership
- Work closely with Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Platform Technology teams to define screening strategies and prioritize the sample sets
- Supervision of RA colleague(s) responsible for highly effective execution of production methods and experimental approaches
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field
- Minimum of 1 year’s relevant experience in academia, biotechnology, and/or pharmaceutical industry beyond the Ph.D. with demonstrated accomplishments
- Hands-on experience with qPCR, digital PCR, luciferase reporter assay, gene expression analysis is required
- A track record of working on mammalian, primary, and iPSC cell line culture, transfection, electroporation, etc., is required
- Ability to analyze complex datasets and troubleshoot is required
- Experience with developing high-throughput assays with automation is highly preferred
- A history of authoring publications and/or study reports on oligonucleotide therapeutics is preferred
- Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
About Switch
Switch Therapeutics is an emerging biotechnology company that is developing RNAi therapies stemming from transformative technologies invented at Caltech, City of Hope, and Harvard Medical School.
The company’s conditionally activated siRNA (CASi) platform integrates RNA nanotechnology with RNA medicinal chemistry to create siRNA pro-drugs that can activate or suppress their own drug activities based on the presence or absence of disease indicating RNA markers in mammalian cells. This gives CASi-based drugs the ability to target specific cells responsible for disease while sparing healthy cells from drug activity.
Since its founding in Q3 2020, Switch has made significant progress in optimizing its technology for therapeutic applications and has generated highly compelling in vivo validation data demonstrating distribution, potency, and duration of effect that support development for important disease indications.