Senior/Principal Scientist

Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science, and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

Calico is seeking a highly motivated and experienced cell biologist to join the Translational Neuroscience team as a Senior/Principal Scientist with the overarching goal of providing pivotal mechanistic insight in support of our exciting and growing pipeline. This laboratory-based role is expected to create critical scientific breakthroughs by expanding our in vitro experimental capabilities and expertise in neurodegenerative and neuroimmune biology – an area of high priority at Calico. The successful candidate will have a strong background in generating and testing novel mechanistic hypotheses in the context of cell biological and biochemical mechanisms, such as mitochondrial biology, autophagy and trafficking, using state of the art methods. They will work in close collaboration with multiple established groups at Calico that include other research laboratories focused on neurodegeneration and cell signaling, as well as core groups focusing on contemporary technologies such as proteomics, genomics and computational biology. It is expected that their research will directly contribute to the evaluation of novel drug targets in Calico’s discovery pipeline.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and characterize innovative in vitro models of neurodegeneration and aging, incorporating findings from human cohorts
• Conduct cell biological investigation to validate targets, explore novel mechanisms of action (MoA) for drug candidates, and test causal hypotheses generated from internal discovery efforts
• Perform a range of techniques, including microscopy, biochemistry, histology and real-time and/or high-throughput imaging
• Independently generate testable disease hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, prepare reports, and effectively communicate findings
• Maintain accurate records of experimental data/protocols per Calico guidelines
• Contribute to a collaborative and multidisciplinary team environment, working closely with scientists across various disciplines to advance translational programs

Requirements:

• PhD in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, or a related field, and at least 5+ years post-PhD experience in academia or industry, with demonstrated experience in in vitro modeling of neurodegenerative, neuroimmune or age-related diseases
• Proven expertise in cutting edge techniques in cell biology including microscopy, real-time analysis, organelle biology, histology, image analysis, etc.
• Strong interest in translational research, especially pertaining to neurological diseases, with a proven track record in at least one prominent area of cell biology
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment
• Must be willing to work onsite 5 days a week

The estimated base salary range for this role is $166,000 - $207,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses