Principal Associate Scientist, Biomarkers

Location: South San Francisco, CA

Department: DEVELOPMENT

Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science, and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

Calico is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Associate Scientist to join the Biomarker Group and lead the discovery and validation of pharmacodynamic, prognostic and predictive biomarker assays to support a wide range of clinical programs. Our group is responsible for developing biomarkers for programs in Neuroscience, Oncology and Aging-related diseases. We are looking for a collaborative leader with over 15 years of experience in translational biology, molecular and cellular biology, and hands-on assay development. You will bridge the gap between early discovery and clinical development, ensuring our therapeutic candidates are supported by robust biomarker strategies to derisk clinical development.

Position Responsibilities:

• Discovery & Validation: Discover and validate pharmacodynamic biomarkers to support the clinical development of drugs with novel MoAs utilizing pre-clinical models (in vivo and in vitro) and human specimens
• Assay Development: Lead the development, optimization, and qualification of biomarker assays using various platform
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Perform rigorous analysis to establish PK/PD relationships and benchmark program compounds
• Utilize statistical and specialized tools to interpret results from ex-vivo and in-vitro studies, delivering actionable insights for clinical dose selection
• Synthesize complex biological data into clear reports and strategic guidance for senior management
• Clinical Translation: Oversee the technical transfer of validated assays to CROs or internal bioanalysis teams for Phase I/II studies
• Strategic Intelligence: Curate and analyze competitive intelligence to inform discovery strategy and provide scenario assessments of high-priority clinical assets
• Mentorship: Manage and mentor junior scientists, fostering a culture of technical excellence and scientific curiosity

Position Requirements:

• BS or MS degree in cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, or a related field, with 14+ years of industry experience
• Well-versed in a wide range of molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology techniques, including RNA isolation, qPCR, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation
• Significant experience in the extraction of soluble, insoluble, and aggregated proteins and subcellular fractionation
• Extensive hands-on experience in primary and immortalized cell culture, including the processing of human whole blood for PBMC and specific immune cell isolation as well as ex-vivo stimulation of whole blood or PBMCs
• Expert-level proficiency in high-sensitivity and multiplex platforms such as Olink, MSD, SIMOA, NULISA, and SOMAscan
• Strong data analysis proficiencies with programming languages such as R or Python for both statistical analysis and visualization
• Self-motivated with a "can-do" attitude, able to troubleshoot experiments independently, and possessing strong teamwork and communication skills
• Must be willing to work onsite 5 days a week

The estimated base salary range for this role is $163,000 - $172,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.