Freelance Assay Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

What we are looking for in you

Glyphic is seeking a Scientist or Senior Scientist to build and sustain the reagent supply infrastructure that powers our single-molecule proteome sequencing platform. In this role you will own the full reagent lifecycle - from early formulation and characterization through stability qualification, QC method development, and lot release - ensuring that every critical material entering a multi-cycle expansion run meets Glyphic's performance standards.

The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on expertise in biochemical reagent development with a quality-by-design mindset: methodical in experimental approach, rigorous in documentation, and proactive in building the frameworks that sustain consistency at scale. You have experience not just characterizing reagents but qualifying them - setting acceptance criteria, gating go/no-go decisions on incoming lots, and maintaining the provenance records that high-stakes single-molecule runs demand. You are comfortable working at the bench and translating your findings into SOPs, QC protocols, and reagent inventories that the broader Assay Development team can rely on.

This is a full-time, exempt, in-person position with work conducted at our Berkeley, CA location.

What you'll do

Reagent Development & Formulation

• Lead assay reagent development activities, including formulation, characterization, and optimization, for components used in ProSE single-molecule expansion and library preparation workflows, including enzymes, oligos, beads, and solvents. 
• The materials in scope extend beyond standard biological reagents to include chemically reactive compounds and environmentally sensitive materials susceptible to degradation by oxygen, humidity, light, and temperature fluctuations. Working with these materials demands a chemistry-aware approach to formulation, handling, and storage.
• Characterize reagent performance using design-of-experiments (DOE) approaches, systematically varying formulation conditions, buffer composition, excipients, and process parameters to establish operating bounds and define product specifications.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate reagent performance in end-use assay configurations; develop a mechanistic understanding of how reagent composition, lot variability, and environmental sensitivity impact expansion assay outcomes.
• Design and execute reagent storage stability studies under accelerated and real-time conditions; develop stability-indicating assays; interpret results against established product specifications and flag out-of-spec trends proactively.

QC Framework & Lot Qualification

• Build and implement a QC and control framework for platform reagents, including acceptance criteria, lot release protocols, and QC assay development, to support reliable, consistent supply to the Assay team.
• Develop, qualify, and transfer QC test methods for reagent characterization and lot release, including HPLC, fluorescence-based functional assays, and physical characterization methods; set product, process, and incoming material acceptance criteria in collaboration with Assay and cross-functional partners.
• Qualify each reagent lot prior to use in multi-cycle or KOL runs; execute hands-on QC testing encompassing physical, chemical, and functional characterization; gate go/no-go decisions on input materials and maintain provenance records for high-stakes runs.
• Maintain batch records and quality documentation in accordance with internal standards.

SOPs, Inventory & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and maintain SOPs for assay reagents and integrated workflows; systematically investigate lot-to-lot variability and failure modes; troubleshoot deviations and lead root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Guard-band critical reagent components and workflow steps to establish the operating bounds of new protocols and define tolerance limits for expansion assay parameters.
• Forecast and maintain end-to-end reagent inventory for SOP-level runs, ensuring the Assay team has qualified materials available on schedule for integration runs and platform demonstrations.
• Partner with the Automation team to implement and qualify reagent-dependent assay steps on work cell or Hamilton-based platforms; qualify liquid-handling methods against reagent specifications.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical methods; synthesize results to identify trends and trace them to upstream reagent, process, or formulation variables; communicate findings through technical reports and presentations, and maintain comprehensive documentation to ensure reproducibility and preserve institutional knowledge.

What you need

Required:

• Degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, or an equivalent field; industry experience including:
• PhD / MS / BS with 4+ / 6+ / 8+ years of relevant experience (Senior Scientist)
• PhD / MS / BS with 2+ / 4+ / 6+ years of relevant experience (Scientist II)
• Proven bench expertise in reagent development or analytical science, with hands-on experience across biochemical characterization techniques with the ability to establish operating bounds and guard bands for critical reagent and process parameters.
• Deep understanding of reagent formulation principles and their influence on stability and functional performance; with practical experience across the full reagent development cycle including formulation, stability studies, and QC method development.
• Experience working with chemically reactive or environmentally sensitive compounds, including materials susceptible to degradation by oxygen, humidity, or light, with appropriate handling, storage, and stability assessment practices
• Strong experimental design skills, with the ability to plan and execute DOE-informed studies and interpret results against specifications.
• Experience developing reagents for multistep, integrated assay workflows involving multiple handoff points or checkpoints, including multi-omics or multi-component platforms.
• Experience establishing and maintaining robust SOPs for end-to-end integrated workflows, with consistent capture of key experimental variables, reagents, and process conditions - enabling cross-functional traceability and correlation with downstream data and performance.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues across diverse scientific and technical backgrounds.
• Comfortable navigating a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment with shifting priorities.

Nice to have:

• Background in proteomics reagents, protein modification chemistry, peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates, or single-molecule assay components.
• Experience with automation platforms for liquid handling (e.g., Hamilton, ThermoFisher, Agilent) and protocol validation on automated workcells.

We're looking for a teammate that:

• Navigates complex team dynamics, partnerships, and challenges with creativity and logic.
• Operates with adaptability, urgency, and flexibility in evolving environments, thriving in ambiguity.
• Drives work forward without needing to be asked, taking responsibility for outcomes rather than tasks.
• Treats obstacles as problems to be creatively solved, not reasons something can't be done.
• Applies sound judgment to the best available information, testing, learning, and iterating.
• Shares early and directly when assumptions change, results are unclear, or timelines are at risk.

What you can expect from this role

Work environment:

• Collaborative culture where your ideas and expertise are valued
• Direct impact on product development and company direction

Professional growth:

• Learn from a diverse team of world-class scientists and engineers
• Contribute to first-of-their kind technologies, high-impact publications, and patents

Compensation

Estimated Base Salary $111,725 - $161,900

This is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including, experience, education, skillset, and geographic location. This range is for the SF Bay Area, California location and may be adjusted to the labor market in other geographic areas.