Scientist I, Molecular Biology

The Opportunity

Scientist I, Molecular Biology wanted by Insitro, Inc. in South San Francisco, CA. Designing and performing small molecule screens with insitro’s proprietary DNA Encoded Libraries for therapeutic target of interest; Preparing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) samples, using capillary electrophoresis methods of sample quality control, and analyze sequencing data quality using python, R or SQL Scripts: DNA barcoding, amplification using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); and Performing nucleic acid isolation and purification using Qiagen kits as well as quality check of target nucleic acid samples using capillary electrophoresis-based or microfluidic technologies; Developing statistical models and metrics for interpretation of large scale biological and chemical screening data, including extraction of statistically significant inferences and outliers, and developing automated data visualization APIs using Python, R studio, SQL, JIRA Boards, Metabase and Sagemaker; Designing, development, and validation of biochemical assays, and integrate biological assay data and biophysical measurements, such as binding affinities, to provide a comprehensive understanding of protein targets and drug modalities of interest; Designing, development, optimization, validation, and integration of automation processes for high-throughput parallel processing; Developing and evaluating machine learning models for large-scale biological and chemical data analysis; Ensuring rigorous documentation as well as structured registration of wet lab work utilizing a variety of ELN based tools like Benchling, Signals, and Spotfire, ensuring wet lab data can be effectively used is accessible and conduct downstream data analysis using coding tools.

Must have a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or a related field plus two (2) years of experience in any related occupation which includes the required experience/skills. In lieu of a Master’s degree plus two (2) years of experience, we will accept a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or a related field plus five (5) years of progressive experience in any related occupation. Must have two (2) years experience using DNA Encoded Libraries (DEL), including performing electrophoretic selections to find small molecule binders to protein targets, and analyzing DEL data; two (2) years experience preparing samples for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), including high throughput sample purification, quality control, and NGS quality checks using FASTQC files; two (2) years experience scaling experimental throughput using automated and plate-based platforms including Agilent Bravo, Tecans, Fragment Analyzer systems like Agilent ZAG, Protein Simple’s Jess/Wes, ECHO, SAGE Pippin HT, QuantStudio, and Fluorescence Polarization Assay equipment; two (2) years of experience developing and using molecular biology techniques and assays, including PCR, QPCR, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, northern, southern, and western blot assays, assays with fluorescence-, absorbance-, and luciferase-based readouts with plate readers like BioTek and Envision, as well as functional assays for target and hit validation using iPSCs; two (2) years experience designing hypothesis-driven experiments using Design of Experiment (DOE) techniques in JMP; statistical modeling of DEL data using ANOVA, Tanimoto clustering, decision tree analysis, and logistic regression; Metabase-based APIs for DEL metadata tracking; generating high-quality visualizations using tools such as: Sagemaker, Metabase, Data Warrior, AWS, R, Python, and Prism GraphPad; and analyzing multimodal datasets such as DNA/RNA sequencing, genome-wide sequencing, and perturb seq data. $112,549-$143,000. Please send resume to: [email protected] and refer to: Job Req. 2026-insitro-001P

Compensation & Benefits at insitro

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $112,549-$143,000. 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 daily lunch for employees who are either onsite or hybrid

• Access to a free commuter bus 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.

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Please be aware of recruitment scams: we never request payments, all recruitment communications are from @insitro.com, and if in doubt, contact us at [email protected].

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 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.