(Senior) Scientist - Biology

Variant Bio is a Seattle-based biotechnology company leveraging the power of human genetic diversity to develop life-saving therapies. To achieve this goal, we are studying the genes of people who are outliers for medically relevant traits, then translating insights from this research into the discovery and development of new therapeutics.

Variant Bio closed a $105mm Series B financing to support the rapid advancement of the company's research and development work. Our investors include Lux Capital, Alta Partners, General Catalyst, SoftBank Vision Fund, Cercano Management and Casdin Capital, among others. Our growing team of geneticists, medical researchers, biologists, and drug hunters is working to advance multiple projects through target validation, lead optimization, and other discovery and development efforts in relentless pursuit of bringing life-saving therapies to patients.

Ethics is at the foundation of everything we do at Variant Bio. Our genomic research studies are co-designed with local partners around the world with input from communities. In addition, we are committed to sharing tangible benefits with research partners and communities through our unique Benefit-sharing Program and Affordable Medicines Pledge.

Variant Bio is an equal opportunity employer that guarantees a work environment that respects and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Job Description

We seek an exceptionally collaborative (Senior) Scientist with experience in immunology and/or cell biology to be part of an integrated R&D team. The successful candidate would have a track record of successfully implementing a range of preclinical drug discovery techniques employed to uncover novel biology and develop assays for therapeutic programs. Familiarity with genetic and genomic methodologies would be an advantage. Since we are an actively growing start-up, we also seek creative thinkers, agile learners and candidates with an unwavering willingness to do what is necessary to help build the company and mature a human-genetics-backed therapeutic pipeline. Our current disease areas of interest include inflammation, immunology, kidney disease, fibrosis, and cardio-metabolic disorders.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement robust functional assays to support the identification and characterization of novel drugs.
• Develop the appropriate bioassays to link disease-causing genetic variants to their relevant genes, cell types, molecular pathways and disease phenotypes.
• Perform routine cell culture in addition to the isolation of primary human/mouse cells including immune cell subsets.
• Responsible for establishing and managing CRO relationships.
• Help in the identification and assessment of new technologies.
• Contribute to deep dives into relevant disease areas and GWAS-identified targets to support a competitive R&D pipeline.
• Work together with medical biologists and internal computational geneticists to establish assays and advance genetic findings.
• Effectively communicate scientific results to internal and external audiences.
• Contribute to scientific publications.
  
  

Qualifications

• BA or Masters and 8+ years of experience or PhD and 2-3 years of experience in immunology, cell biology or related field.
• Industry experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with various assay platforms and the ability to develop robust cell-based assays including flow cytometry, multiplexing assays and cell imaging techniques, to support drug discovery.
• Experience with in vivo pharmacology approaches (eg in mouse) is a plus.
• Ability to work across cross-functional teams and support more than one project.
• Proven record in establishing connections with CROs and collaborators.
• Familiarity with the process by which therapeutics and/or diagnostics are discovered and developed.
• Strong people skills and an ability & willingness to work on a multidisciplinary R&D team.
• Independent, creative, detail-oriented, and a critical thinker.
• Kidney disease, fibrosis or genetics expertise is an advantage.
• Compelled by the company's mission of great science, a strong ethical stance, and benefit sharing.
  
  

What We Offer

• Opportunity to be part of a well funded and highly innovative biotech entering a rapid growth phase.
• Competitive, industry leading salary, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) plan through Fidelity that includes up to 3% employer match and flexible investment options.
• Choice of public transportation (Orca Card) provided by the company or subsidized parking.
• Flexible paid time off to help employees obtain a healthy work-life balance.
• Company paid professional development opportunities to encourage career progression.
  
  

Anticipated annual base salary for this position is $125,000 - $165,000 plus up to 10-15% bonus and an options package, for total compensation of up to $137,500 - $189,750 plus equity options.

The annual salary range above is based on the responsibilities and qualifications listed above. Individual salary will depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Don't meet every single requirement but are excited to join the Variant Bio team? If your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles.