Associate Scientist, Functional Genomics
Join a compact functional genomics group supporting pooled screens and follow-up validation work, with enough structure to learn well but still enough startup reality to get very good very quickly.
About the role
Support functional genomics experiments from sample preparation through readout tracking, while learning the logic behind pooled screening, controls, and assay follow-up. The role matters because the current senior team is spending too much time on work that should be owned by a strong early-career scientist who notices when small process issues start to compromise data quality.
Role details
- Stage
- Series A platform team, 27 people, functional genomics group expanding from 3 to 4
- Reporting line
- Senior Scientist, Functional Genomics
- Rhythm
- Three lab days weekly in Boston, with occasional early sequencing handoff days
What you'll do
- Run and support core screen workflows: Prepare samples, track pooled screening steps, and execute follow-up validation work with enough care that the team can trust what moves downstream.
- Keep metadata and handoffs clean: Own sample labels, plate maps, sequencing submissions, and the small operational details that quietly determine whether results are usable later.
- Work across bench and analysis teams: Coordinate with computational colleagues so sample context and assay notes are not lost between experiment execution and readout interpretation.
- Notice process drift early: Flag where controls, naming, storage, or documentation are slipping before those issues become a much larger debugging exercise.
Requirements
- BSc or MSc in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, bioengineering, or a related field, plus relevant lab experience from industry or a strong academic setting.
- Comfort with mammalian cell culture and the discipline required to keep experimental execution and sample tracking clean.
- Ability to follow detailed protocols while still speaking up when something seems off or inconsistent.
- Careful written documentation habits and enough operational maturity to handle repetitive work without letting quality slip.
- Genuine interest in learning how functional genomics data gets generated and used in discovery decisions.
Nice to have
- Exposure to CRISPR screening, lentiviral work, NGS library prep, or flow cytometry.
- Experience using Benchling, LIMS, or other structured sample tracking systems.
- Basic familiarity with analysing simple assay outputs in Excel, Python, or R.
- Previous time in a small biotech or translational lab where priorities moved quickly.
Tools and environment
CRISPR pooled screens, Mammalian cell culture, Flow cytometry, qPCR, Benchling, LIMS, Excel
Compensation and package
- Base salary
- $78k-$92k, depending on lab depth and independence level
- Incentives
- Annual cash bonus and early-stage stock options
- Benefits
- Health cover, commuter support, and a defined training budget
- Timing
- Search is active now because the next screening cycle starts this quarter
Interview process
- 1.Intro call: Short discussion covering lab background, commute expectations, and whether the pace of the role feels right for you.
- 2.Hiring manager interview: Conversation on experimental habits, documentation standards, and how you handle routine work when the week gets busy.
- 3.Practical walkthrough: Talk through a sample tracking or assay handoff scenario and explain where mistakes usually happen.
- 4.On-site final: Meet the bench team, tour the lab, and complete references before offer discussion.
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