Staff Scientist, Assay Development & Integration

At Nautilus, we have a big and important mission: improve the health of millions by unleashing the potential of the proteome to accelerate drug development and enable a new world of precision and personalized medicine. We are developing a single-molecule protein analysis platform of unprecedented sensitivity, scale, and ease of use that we believe will democratize access to the proteome, one of the most dynamic and valuable sources of biological insight. To get there, we pursue deep, hard science, and we're building a world-class team of builders, innovators, and dreamers across a wide range of disciplines.

If you're an assay scientist who likes turning a complex, multi-part system into a workflow that works run after run, read on.

This Opportunity

We're developing new assay workflows for our single-molecule proteomics platform. You'll lead assay development and integration, taking new chemistry from the bench onto the instrument and making it work reliably.

Reporting to the program lead, you'll work at the intersection of science, engineering, and operations with our assay, probe development, engineering, and bioinformatics teams. You'll own assay performance on the platform, from first integration experiments to a method that transfers cleanly to operations.

We're looking for a seasoned assay scientist with a record of developing and integrating assays on complex instruments with integrated optics, fluidics, and surface chemistry. You've solved hard integration problems, led teams through them, and you make clear calls from data.

Responsibilities

Lead design and development of robust assays and reagents with simple, elegant workflows

Partner with our library prep team to confirm that assay reagents work as intended on the platform

Define and develop control reagents to evaluate assay performance on the integrated system

Develop workflows to remove reagents after each binding cycle while keeping the proteins on the platform intact

Design complex, information-rich experiments that give the program decisive direction

Solve integration problems across detection, fluidics, optics, surface chemistry, reagents, and software

Troubleshoot reagent and binding-cycle issues, from antibody quality to incomplete removal, and drive root cause and permanent corrective actions

Lead failure analysis with engineering and bioinformatics, and drive performance improvements

Set assay performance metrics and acceptance criteria, and use them to make go/no-go calls

Analyze large datasets in Python, use bioinformatic pipelines, and turn results into recommendations for R&D leadership

Key Qualifications

Required

PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related field with 10+ years of industry experience; or BS/MS with 15+ years in a related biotechnology or materials science field

Deep hands-on experience developing single-molecule assays and analysis techniques

Demonstrated record of innovation developing protein or molecular biology assays

Hands-on experience handling proteins, including labeling, storage, and stability

Track record of integrating assays on complex instruments with integrated optics, fluidics, and assay workflows

Exceptional experimental design and data analysis skills, including multi-factor experiments

Proficiency in Python or a similar language for analysis of large datasets

Track record of leading cross-functional technical work in a fast-moving environment

Preferred

Experience with protein assays, affinity reagents, or immunoassays

Experience with surface chemistry and immobilization on flow cells or arrays

Experience with gentle elution, stripping, or surface regeneration methods

Background in sequencing, proteomics, or other high-throughput platforms

Experience transferring methods to operations or manufacturing

Startup or early-stage product development experience

Nautilus Team Culture

We are curious go-getters: this is a team of life-long learners who aren't afraid to tackle the big challenges, and we embrace the journey.

We are detail oriented: we do great science by working smart and with diligence, and we learn from our trials and mistakes.

We are easy to work with: we want our workplace to be one where everyone can share their perspective and be treated with respect and kindness.