Principal Associate Scientist; In Vitro​/Ex Vivo Assay Specialist

Principal Associate Scientist (In Vitro/Ex Vivo Assay Specialist)

Calico Life Sciences is a research and development company focused on the biology of aging, aiming to create interventions for healthier, longer lives. The Principal Associate Scientist will provide critical analytical support for our preclinical in vivo pharmacology studies, serving as the go‑to expert for processing, analyzing, and interpreting study samples.

• Serve as the primary specialist for all in vitro and ex vivo assay needs generated from ongoing in vivo pharmacology studies.
• Develop, optimize, and validate novel and established assays (ELISA, western blot, qPCR, enzymatic assays, cellular functional assays) to measure pharmacodynamic markers, target engagement, and efficacy endpoints in complex biological matrices.
• Process and analyze study samples from internal experiments and external partners or CROs, ensuring high‑quality, reproducible data.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert, training team members on assay protocols and troubleshooting complex technical issues.
• Perform detailed data analysis, visualization, and interpretation, including statistical analysis and generating clear summaries.
• Collaborate closely with in vivo pharmacologists, DMPK lead, and project teams to use data for key decisions such as dose selection and mechanism‑of‑action confirmation.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory records, SOPs, and detailed reports suitable for internal reviews and regulatory filings.

• M.S. in Cell or Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with analytical and biochemical techniques, including:
  • ELISA/MSD
  • Western blotting and other protein quantification methods
  • qPCR/RT‑PCR
  • Processing of complex biological samples (tissue dissection, homogenization, cell culture)
• Direct experience providing assay support for study samples generated by external partners or CROs is highly valued.
• Proficiency in managing and standardizing analytical pipelines for externally sourced samples.
• Proficient in statistical software and data analysis tools (Graph Pad Prism, Excel) for analyzing and presenting complex data sets.
• Strong organizational skills and excellent verbal and written communication to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams and manage external data streams.
• Must be willing to work onsite 5 days a week.

Estimated base salary: $147,000 – $159,000. Eligible for two annual cash bonuses.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Research, Analyst, and Information Technology