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A-Alpha Bio is an early-stage and rapidly-growing drug discovery company headquartered in Seattle, WA. We are enabling the next generation of high-impact therapeutics by combining high-throughput synthetic biology with state-of-the-art machine learning. We partner with leading pharma and biotech companies to enable the discovery of antibodies, molecular glues, and other protein interaction-related drugs. In parallel, we use our AlphaSeq technology internally to build a Biologics Pipeline for clinical development and/or asset licensing opportunities.
This role is not open to remote applicants and would require relocation to Seattle, WA.
Starting Salary Range: $86,000 - $101,000 per year
Exemption Status: Exempt
Location Expectations: Onsite
Role Description
A-Alpha Bio is seeking a cellular biologist to join our Biologics Discovery team and establish our in vitro drug candidate functional characterization capabilities. This role will encompass working with various primary and transformed cell lines, including human PBMC, mouse splenocytes, and reporter cell lines. Assay development responsibilities will utilize common techniques such as flow cytometry, RNAseq, and ELISAs. Similar techniques will be applied to ex vivo analyte analysis. This position reflects a highly dynamic biotech startup environment, with a central role in establishing our pharmacology capabilities and enabling our therapeutic aspirations. Expertise in primary cell culturing and multicolor flow cytometry will be required. The ideal candidate will be capable of operating independently, possess strong organizational skills, and enjoy the startup environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop cell-based in vitro assays using tumor and immune cells to evaluate potency and selectivity of biologic candidates.
- Assist with the generation and analysis of RNA-seq datasets to enable high-dimensional and high-throughput immune phenotyping in various cell types, organs, and tissues.
- Design, validate, and execute multicolor flow cytometry experiments.
- Contribute to the characterization of novel therapeutic targets.
- Independently analyze data using FlowJo, Prism, etc. and archive in electronic lab notebooks.
- Present findings at group meetings to support program-level, data-driven decisions.
- Apply scientific rigor to all aspects of the job, including experimental design, execution, analysis, and interpretation.
- Maintain a strong and creative team culture with a clear understanding of project timelines, deliverables, and priorities.
- Perform other duties as assigned or special projects as needed.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of industrial biotech experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Hands-on experience with multicolor flow cytometry, immune cell isolation, immunological phenotyping, and cell-based functional assays.
- Experience with ELISA and other fluorescent-based analyte quantification assays.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to organize and describe complex datasets to cross-functional team members.
- Self-motivated with strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills and the ability to recognize project timelines, priorities, and deliverables.
- Scientific rigor in the planning and execution of experiments.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to foster a fun, open, and collaborative team environment.
Preferred
- Experience with the generation and analysis of RNAseq data.
- Proficiency in biolayer interferometry assays utilizing Octet/Gator BLI systems.
- Formal immunology background.
- Familiarity with assay miniaturization or high-throughput optimization.
We offer competitive compensation, including benefits and equity in a fast-growing start-up. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States. At this time, A-Alpha Bio is unable to offer visa sponsorship in any form.
About A-Alpha Bio
A-Alpha Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company combining synthetic biology and machine learning to dramatically improve the discovery of high-impact therapeutics. We believe that abundant high-quality data is critical for understanding biology and curing disease – and synthetic biology is our catalyst. Our proprietary AlphaSeq platform uses genetically engineered cells to quantitatively measure millions of protein interactions – from which we generate high-resolution models of biology.
In 2018, we spun out of the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design and Center for Synthetic Biology – both fantastic communities of brilliant and highly entrepreneurial scientists. Since the company's inception, we have focused on partnering with pharmaceutical companies to discover and optimize drugs for therapeutic areas ranging from infectious disease to cancer. We are growing rapidly, and new members of the team should expect a fast-paced and highly dynamic work environment. We are building a diverse, meritocratic, and supportive team that shares our values of speaking the truth, shooting for the moon, taking the reins, playing for the team, and improving the world.
A-Alpha Bio is headquartered in a brand-new combined office/lab space in downtown Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. While the startup lifestyle occasionally requires grueling hours, we strongly value the need for a work-life balance and time out of the lab/office. We are fortunate to be situated in a region that is renowned for its premier outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, kayaking, and sailing. At A-Alpha, you'll find many who love the outdoors, but also gamers, amateur chefs, explorers, sports fans, bakers, crafters, photographers, brewers, jetsetters, animal lovers, and artists. Whatever your passions, you belong at A-Alpha Bio.
