US_Scientist I_CO

Role: US_Scientist I_CO (Contract Role)

Location: SFO, CA

The Position:

• The Complex in Vitro Systems (CiS) Lab within the Department of Translational Safety is seeking a highly motivated Scientist to develop, characterize, and qualify advanced complex in vitro models to support Client's mission of delivering safe and efficacious medicines.
• The CiS group partners closely with colleagues across Development Sciences, Translational Medicine, and Research to establish and implement innovative platforms that enable target assessment, lead optimization, and safety evaluation across a dynamic portfolio, novel modalities, and emerging therapeutic areas.
• In this lab-based role, you will provide scientific and technical expertise to support the development and implementation of human lung complex in vitro models (CIVM), including lung organoids, air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures, and lung microphysiological systems for drug development.
• Responsibilities include culturing and characterizing state-of-the-art lung CIVM models, designing and executing model qualification and characterization studies (e.g., advanced imaging, transcriptomics, and functional and phenotypic assays), analyzing and interpreting complex datasets, and maintaining rigorous, high-quality documentation.
• The Scientist will be expected to share scientific insights across functional teams, contribute to cross-disciplinary collaborations, and support internal and external publication efforts.
• This position is ideal for an experienced scientist passionate about advancing disease modeling and translational safety through innovative complex in vitro.
• The successful candidate will excel in a dynamic, collaborative research environment, demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills, and effectively communicate across scientific disciplines to contribute to the development of cutting-edge ocular disease models and help shape the future of ocular drug discovery and development.
  
  The Opportunity:
• Development, qualification, and implementation of innovative in vitro lung model systems (e.g., airway and alveolar organoids, ALI cultures, lung-on-a-chip co-culture platforms) to support disease modeling and lung safety risk assessment.
• Designing and executing experiments to characterize lung models, including evaluation of cell viability, morphology, and barrier integrity and function, using techniques such as cytotoxicity assays, confocal and high-content imaging, transepithelial resistance/permeability assays, and transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.
• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams within and outside gRED to align on complex model building with therapeutic strategies and program needs.
• Analyzing, interpreting, and clearly communicating study results to collaborators and stakeholders, and contributing to internal and external scientific presentations as appropriate.
• Maintaining comprehensive electronic documentation in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contributing to study reports, safety assessments, and final deliverables.
  

Who You Are:

• PhD in Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Toxicology (or related fields) with 0-5 years of experience post-PhD with hypothesis-driven research in industry or academia.
• Experience in culturing multiple lung cell types, including relevant lung primary cells and cell lines.
• Proven expertise in developing, qualifying, and applying airway or alveolar organoids, co-culture systems, and microphysiological or microfluidic platforms, to support drug discovery and translational research.
• Proficiency with quantitative and qualitative characterization techniques such as qRT-PCR, RNA-seq, proteomics, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, live-cell and time-lapse imaging, high-content imaging/screening, and analysis of data generated from these assays.
• Strong experimental design skills, with demonstrated ability in troubleshooting, method development, and protocol optimization for complex in vitro systems.
• A collaborative, team-oriented scientist who prioritizes shared objectives and communicates effectively across disciplines, with a strong work ethic grounded in scientific rigor, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience lung biology and immunology is a strong plus.
• Advanced proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for image processing, algorithm development, and large-scale data analysis.