Stem Cell (senior) Scientist

Experience level: PhD or equivalent work experience (5+ years).

Skillset:

Project Leadership:

• Independent at the project/expertise area level.
• Capable of designing, executing, and interpreting complex experiments.
• Generates new scientific ideas with clear, well-designed readouts.
• Suggests logical next steps based on previous outcomes independently.

Data Interpretation:

• Skilled in interpreting and making scientific conclusions from computational data (e.g., SmartSeq2, Single-Cell RNA-seq, EM-seq, ATAC-seq). - Training available for knowledge gaps.

Laboratory Techniques:

• Proficient in aseptic technique, mammalian cell culture, and mouse/human stem cell culture.
• Expertise in differentiating stem cells into functional end-cell types, optimizing existing protocols, and developing new differentiation protocols.
• Experience with three-dimensional culture systems is a plus.

Cell Characterization and Assays:

• Experienced in cell characterization techniques (e.g., flow cytometry) and functional assays (e.g., cell proliferation, ELISAs).
• Generating reporter cell lines and using CRISPR-based gene editing tools is a big plus but not essential.

Additional Qualities:

• Self-motivated and highly organized with excellent record-keeping skills and attention to detail.
• Strong work ethic, willing to work on weekends and outside of regular working hours as needed. Willing to do grunt work and be a team player.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with peers in a results-oriented, fast-paced research environment.

The position

Conception is a dynamic startup focused on pioneering advancements in human reproductive therapy. We're looking for an exceptionally smart and hard-working Scientist or Senior Scientist to join our team. This role involves hands-on in vitro work with human and mouse iPSCs and differentiation work to produce functional eggs from stem cells. 

Our mission

Conception is a startup that aims to generate viable human eggs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Successful development of our research could have many benefits, such as removing age limits on motherhood, allowing for easy screening of eggs with harmful genetic mutations, and allowing same-sex couples to reproduce. This has been done in mice, and now we are working to translate it to humans.

Our research

To accomplish our goal, we must derive human germ cells from iPSCs (human germ cell-like cells, hPGCLCs) that resemble both the transcriptional and epigenetic profile of in vivo germ cells (PGCs) that are able to enter meiosis and develop into viable human eggs. We create ovarian organoids that include ovarian somatic cells and germ cells to grow functional egg cells.

What we are looking for

We have multiple experiment lines currently ongoing to accomplish this goal, and we’re looking to expand our team. Mission alignment as well as a solid scientific background with a reliable track record in executing experiments is something we strongly care about. We are looking for teammates with great communication skills who are very organized and thrive in highly collaborative, dynamic, flexible, and fast-paced teams. 

While expertise is valued, we can provide training in areas of inexperience if you are passionate about our goal and willing to work hard. There is no requirement for prior experience working on reproductive cells -- we love it when people come to work with us from different backgrounds and bring new ideas and techniques to our lab.

Come and work with us

We are well funded and well connected in Silicon Valley. For this position, we offer competitive pay, company equity, and excellent healthcare benefits.

‍To learn more about the original mouse proof of concept to live birth that inspired us, seehttps://www.nature.com/articles/nature20104

To learn more about us, our mission, and approach you can read two features published byThe New Yorker andMIT Technology Review.