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Scientist I / Scientist II, Biochemistry R&D

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Before you apply
Salary$97k – $168k
LocationUS - California - Menlo Park
Work modehybrid
Typefull-time
SeniorityEntry
DepartmentBiochemistry and Reagents R&D
Company size501–1,000 people
PostedNov 6, 2026 · 1d ago
Verified live13h ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field
Scientist I: recent PhD (0-2 years post-PhD); Scientist II: 2+ years of relevant postdoctoral or post-PhD industry experience
Strong hands-on bench skills in molecular biology and biochemistry
Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression and purification
Experience with NGS library preparation or comparable multi-step molecular workflows
Proficiency in nucleic acid and protein QC methods
Demonstrated ability to learn new techniques quickly and manage multiple experiments in parallel
Coachable and collaborative; seeks out feedback and applies it
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Familiarity with long-read sequencing (PacBio HiFi or Oxford Nanopore) or CRISPR-based targeted sequencing workflows
Computational skills, such as data analysis in Python or R
Protein structure visualization (e.g., Chimera, PyMOL)
Laboratory database management or LIMS experience
Experience with lab automation or liquid-handling platforms
Candidates must have current authorization to work in the United States without the need for present or future sponsorship
Skills
Python
R
Chimera
PyMOL
FPLC
Qubit
Femto Pulse
Bioanalyzer
SDS-PAGE
HiFi sequencing
Oxford Nanopore
CRISPR
LIMS
About the role
Scientist I / Scientist II, Biochemistry R&D
About the company
PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) is a premier life science technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced sequencing solutions to help scientists and clinical researchers resolve genetically complex problems. Our mission is to enable the promise of genomics to better human health. Genomics is core to all biological processes, and our advanced genomics tools provide scientists and clinical researchers the insights to better understand biology and health. We are now entering the century of biology and genomics is at the heart of the next revolution. Become part of the new paradigm in gene sequencing and help shape the future of genomic study by joining the PacBio team.
About Biochemistry R&D: We are PacBio’s upstream research engine for third-generation sequencing chemistry and applications. Our team explores new enzymes, reaction chemistries, and molecular workflows, and tests feasibility of ideas that become PacBio’s next products. When a concept works, it moves from our bench into Product Development and eventually onto sequencers in labs around the world. Some of our recent work spans HiFi library preparation, targeted enrichment of complex loci, and native detection of DNA modifications. We are a small, rigorous, and curious group. We pair hands-on biochemistry with sequencing data, work closely with Bioinformatics, Engineering, and Product teams, and give scientists real ownership of problems that matter.
Position Summary:
PacBio is seeking a Scientist I or Scientist II (level commensurate with experience) to join the Biochemistry and Reagents R&D group as a versatile bench scientist supporting multiple research programs. In a given week, you may execute protein purifications alongside the group’s protein purification lead, prepare HiFi sequencing libraries, run sequencing chemistry experiments, and carry out targeted enrichment workflows using established PacBio protocols. Success in this role comes from mastering a wide range of protocols quickly, moving between them seamlessly, and executing each with precision. The ideal candidate is a hands-on biochemist or molecular biologist who learns fast, welcomes coaching, and enjoys contributing across many projects in a collaborative team. Candidates coming directly from academic research are encouraged to apply. You do not need to match every bullet below; if you believe you would be an excellent fit, please apply.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
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Execute protein expression and purification protocols, including FPLC-based and plate-based high-throughput preparations, in partnership with the group’s protein purification lead.
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Prepare HiFi sequencing libraries and run sequencing chemistry experiments on PacBio platforms.
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Execute targeted enrichment workflows following PacBio protocols, including testing new guide RNA designs.
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Learn new protocols quickly and move between projects and workflows as priorities change, while maintaining high quality and reproducibility.
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Perform QC on nucleic acids and proteins (e.g., Qubit, Femto Pulse or Bioanalyzer, SDS-PAGE) and evaluate results against defined performance metrics.
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Analyze and present data in team meetings and written reports.
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Maintain rigorous electronic lab notebook records and contribute to protocol troubleshooting and improvement.
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Collaborate with scientists across Biochemistry and Reagents R&D, Bioinformatics, and Product Development.
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Scientist II level: execute across workflows with greater independence, troubleshoot and optimize protocols, and help train Research Associates.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
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PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field. Scientist I: recent PhD, which may include a postdoc (minimum of 0–2 years). Scientist II: 2+ years of relevant postdoctoral or post-PhD industry experience.
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Strong hands-on bench skills in molecular biology and biochemistry, with a record of executing complex, multi-step protocols reliably.
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Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression and purification.
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Experience with NGS library preparation or comparable multi-step molecular workflows.
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Proficiency in nucleic acid and protein QC methods.
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Demonstrated ability to learn new techniques quickly and manage multiple experiments in parallel as priorities shift.
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Coachable and collaborative; seeks out feedback and applies it.
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Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Nice to have
Preferred Experience:
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Familiarity with long-read sequencing (PacBio HiFi or Oxford Nanopore) or CRISPR-based targeted sequencing workflows.
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Computational skills, such as data analysis in Python or R.
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Protein structure visualization (e.g., Chimera, PyMOL).
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Laboratory database management or LIMS experience.
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Experience with lab automation or liquid-handling platforms.
Candidates must have current authorization to work in the United States without the need for present or future sponsorship.
Non-Field Based Employees are required to be onsite Monday-Thursday (Friday work from home). Depending on the role, some employees may be required to be 100% onsite.
Legal
You may be required from time to time to visit and work at PacBio locations and for such times as the Company considers necessary for the proper performance of your duties.
All listed tasks and responsibilities are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional tasks and responsibilities.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Salary Range:
$97,400.00 - $168,000.00
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at PacBio. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. PacBio does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, PacBio employees or any other company location. PacBio is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact us at 650-521-8000, or [email protected] for assistance.
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Beware of Recruitment Fraud
Please be aware of employment scams where people or entities misuse PacBio’s name, or the names of PacBio employees, to post fake job advertisements or make fake job offers.
PacBio will never extend a job offer without a personal interview and will never charge any money for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Careers page of our official website.
If you see a job posting that is not on the PacBio official website, or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond and do not send money or provide any personal information.
IT IS LIKELY A SCAM OR FAKE JOB AD IF:
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The job offer requires you to pay something (for example, to purchase equipment).
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You receive a job offer that you didn’t apply for, or without a personal interview or interaction.
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The interview seems to involve AI video or audio.
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HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
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Never give personal and confidential information.
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Never pay for anything as part of interviewing for, or accepting, an offer of employment.
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Ignore it if it seems like a scam.