Senior Scientist / Scientist II, Cell Models

The Opportunity

The heart of insitro's strategy is the combination of advanced methods in machine learning, biology at scale, and small molecule discovery to address important bottlenecks in the drug development pipeline. To accomplish that, we are looking for an experienced scientist to join our Cell Model Team, whose mission is to build and apply relevant cell model systems for target screening and discovery.

Reporting to the Associate Director of the Cell Models Team, you will be the bridge that connects therapeutic area scientists, screening platform scientists, and DSML / Computational scientists for the development of disease models in vitro. You will be a main driver for data-driven decisions about cell models that will facilitate target validation and drug discovery. In this role, you will collaborate cross functionally with the existing therapeutic areas, functional teams (including computational teams), and platform teams to develop critical cell systems.

Based at our South San Francisco headquarters (five days a week), this role provides an exciting opportunity to drive drug discovery projects forward. We are seeking someone with a strong passion for disease modeling and target discovery who is ready to contribute to groundbreaking work.

Become a key part of our dynamic techbio startup, which combines the stability of an established company with the agility of a growing enterprise, offering vast opportunities for individual impact. You'll collaborate within a talented, interdisciplinary team, gaining valuable experience while actively contributing to insitro's foundational culture, strategic vision, and patient-focused initiatives. Join us in our mission to transform patient lives.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on contribution to primary cell, immortalized line, progenitor cell, and iPSC differentiation models to support ongoing work within the Cell Models team
• Provide mentorship and leadership to junior team members, guiding their scientific growth and project contributions.
• Propose and drive the cell model and assay development plans supporting target discovery and validation by collaborating with the therapeutic area, functional, computational and platform teams
• Investigate new approaches to cell-based models to address increasing needs for complexity to develop tissue/disease relevant models
• Provide subject matter expert (SME) guidance in Cell Model Development for multiple therapeutic areas
• Initiate, design, execute, and deliver on the key objectives which align with the value drivers at insitro
• SME for internal/external cellular assay design and data interpretation and potentially support CRO monitoring and outsourced activities

About You

• PhD in a biological science related field (Cell bio, Biochem, Genetics etc.) with 5+ years of industry experience; alternatively, MS with 10-12 years of industry experience, including 1-3 years in disease modeling and/or target discovery platforms
• Experience using immortalized cell lines, human primary cells, and human iPSC derived cell types in multiple disease areas is a must. Preferably in metabolic disease and neurodegenerative diseases
• Experience with high throughput imaging systems and using automated liquid handlers
• Strong project team experience with the ability to propose, execute, and deliver results in a timely manner
• Experience with ophthalmic, obesity, and general metabolic disease areas is preferred
• Experience working independently within a collaborative multidisciplinary matrixed environment
• Experience with using computational tools for data analysis is preferred;
• Strong analytical skills, including qualitative and quantitative assessment skills and demonstrated critical thinking;

Compensation & Benefits at insitro

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $130,000 - $175,000. To determine starting pay, we consider multiple job-related factors including a candidate's skills, education and experience, market demand, business needs, and internal parity. We may also adjust this range in the future based on market data.

This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Performance Bonus Plan (based on company targets by role level and annual company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies.

In addition, insitro also provides our employees:

• 401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as mental health and well-being support
• Open, flexible vacation policy
• Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)
• Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
• Support to attend professional conferences that are meaningful to your career growth and role's responsibilities
• New hire stipend for home office setup
• Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
• Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
• Access to free onsite fitness center for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
• Access to a free commuter bus and ferry network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area

insitro is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams-grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences-and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.

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About insitro

insitro is a drug discovery and development company using machine learning (ML) and data at scale to decode biology for transformative medicines. At the core of insitro's approach is the convergence of in-house generated multi-modal cellular data and high-content phenotypic human cohort data. We rely on these data to develop ML-driven, predictive disease models that uncover underlying biologic state and elucidate critical drivers of disease. These powerful models rely on extensive biological and computational infrastructure and allow insitro to advance novel targets and patient biomarkers, design therapeutics and inform clinical strategy. insitro is advancing a wholly owned and partnered pipeline of insights and therapeutics in neuroscience and metabolism. Since launching in 2018, insitro has raised over $700 million from top tech, biotech and crossover investors, and from collaborations with pharmaceutical partners. For more information on insitro, please visit www.insitro.com.