Associate Scientist

We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Scientist to join our highly collaborative R&D team developing next-generation molecular detection technologies with real-world impact. In this role, you will support and drive experimental research, assay development, and data analysis on Pleno's RAPTOR™ platform, working closely with scientists, bioinformaticians, and engineers.

You have a proven track record in assay development, nucleic acid extraction (DNA/RNA), PCR (including ddPCR), and NGS technologies, coupled with expertise in advanced data analysis and scientific presentations. You are enlivened by a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoy experimentation, refining methods, and finding meaning in large datasets.

This role offers meaningful scientific ownership, exposure to cutting-edge platforms, and room to grow as the company scales.

• Work with different molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) purification, manipulation, PCR, qPCR, and genotyping.
• Execute experiments, troubleshoot, and validate assays using Hypercoding™ technology on Pleno's RAPTOR™ detection platform.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely records of analytical procedure development, experimental data, and data analysis.
• Analyzing large-scale datasets using tools such as Excel, Spotfire, Python, R, JMP, or MATLAB.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and publications to document and communicate findings internally and externally.
• Work with the bioinformatics team to develop and improve tools and pipelines.
• Collaborate with other research associates, scientists, and project leaders within the team to design experiments and interpret results.
• Contribute to a collaborative, knowledge-sharing team culture.

• Hands-on experience with assay development, validation, and optimization.
• Are highly independent and can drive a project forward with little oversight.
• Experience with nucleic acid extraction (DNA/RNA) and PCR-based technologies (qPCR, ddPCR).
• Expertise in assay and product development, verification, and validation studies, and the ability to stay current with emerging technologies and trends.
• Experience analyzing large biological datasets using tools such as Excel, Spotfire, Python, R, JMP, and/or MATLAB.
• A proven track record in methods development, including experimental design, execution, and evaluation.
• Experience with NGS-based assays and workflows.
• The ability to clearly document and communicate scientific results.
• A demonstrable ability to work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams and manage multiple projects.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high accuracy, attention to detail, clarity, and conciseness.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• An innovation-focused mindset with a drive to continuously learn and improve.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field with 3-5+ years of relevant experience (Bachelor's with 5+ years or Master's with 3+ years)

This position will require regular onsite participation at our office/lab in San Diego, CA - to apply you should be resident in the greater San Diego County area. We are not able to consider relocation at this time.

The compensation range presented spans Senior Research Associate/Scientist to Associate Scientist. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, level of the position, skills, knowledge and experience, internal equity, and alignment with comparable market data. The range for this position is $72,000 to $100,000.

Pleno is a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technologists focused on collaboration and asking questions. We strive to find the best, and most meaningful answers for biochemistry and engineering problems in our mission to build a novel multi-omic instrument platform that will revolutionize biological target detection for a wide array of meaningful applications.

We value our Pleno people and each person's wellbeing is important to us, so in addition to offering industry competitive compensation,…