Scientist/Senior Scientist – Cell Biology (Diabetes)

Company Overview

GC Therapeutics is the first genome-wide cell landscape exploration company using an integrated synthetic biology and AI-driven platform for cell programming. Its patent-pending and proprietary pluripotent stem cell differentiation technology platform TFome™ was developed in Professor George Church’s lab, a pioneer in synthetic biology, and allows for the development of unique cell therapies with significantly streamlined manufacturing, improved cell quality, efficiency and speed. GC Therapeutics is based in Cambridge, MA. For additional information, please visit www.gc-tx.com.

Job Purpose

GC Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Scientist or Senior Scientist for its diabetes program. This role focuses on conducting genetic screens to identify factors that drive iPSC differentiation into therapeutic cell populations relevant to diabetes as well as establishing assays for molecular and functional characterization. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in developmental biology, iPSC differentiation and assay development and will contribute to the advancement of the diabetes programs. The role demands hands-on experimental work with cell culture, strategic project planning and cross-functional collaboration to accelerate therapeutic development.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Culture and maintain iPSC lines and relevant primary cells, including preparation of media, passaging, cryopreservation, and routine quality assessments.
• Conduct genetic screens on iPSCs to optimize differentiation protocols for diabetes-relevant therapeutic cell populations.
• Design, execute and optimize differentiation workflows using principles of synthetic biology and stem cell biology.
• Develop, establish and run molecular, phenotypic and functional assays to characterize differentiated cell populations (e.g. flow cytometry, PCR, fluorescence microscopy, ELISA and other relevant readouts).
• Perform, analyze and interpret experimental data, ensuring comprehensive documentation of methodologies and outcomes.
• Troubleshoot differentiation and screening workflows to improve hit rate, throughput and robustness.
• Maintain a detailed laboratory journal, summarize results, and create presentations for meetings.
• Maintain accurate and complete records, ensuring compliance with documentation management systems.
• Collaborate effectively across the GC Therapeutics team to achieve strategic goals.

General Laboratory Roles:

• Responsible for experimental design, data generation, analysis, and communication of results to supervisor, and team members.
• Provide scientific and technical guidance to junior staff, collaborators, or contract research organizations (CROs) for defined projects.
• Maintain organized and detailed laboratory journal, summarize results, and create presentations for internal group meetings.
• Stay current on relevant scientific literature, emerging technologies and advancements in the field.
• Exemplify scientific curiosity and deep expertise with relevant literature and cutting-edge technologies to advance research directions.
• Work with other members of the research team and within GCTx to accomplish company goals.
• Follow all safe laboratory practices and company policies.

Experimental Techniques:

Cellular Biology:

• Perform cell engineering on iPSCs to screen factors for synthetic biology-based differentiation.
• Design and execute synthetic biology-based differentiation of iPSCs.
• Optimize iPSC-derived differentiation for therapeutic cell products.
• Establish and perform assays including flow cytometry, ELISA, ICC, cell-based assays and microscopy.

Molecular Biology:

• Utilize techniques such as PCR, molecular cloning and plasmid isolation.
• Characterize target cell types using next-generation sequencing methods (e.g. library preparation for bulk and single cell RNA-seq) and other gene expression analysis techniques.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in stem cell biology, cell biology, bioengineering, biochemistry, or related discipline and 5+ years of laboratory work experience in academia or industry.
• Strong expertise in cell culture expertise, particularly for iPSCs and cell types relevant to diabetes.
• Deep knowledge of development biology and stem cell differentiation principles as applicable to diabetes.
• Proven experience in cell-based assay development and molecular biology laboratory techniques.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to perform tasks independently and lead junior staff effectively.
• Proficient in analysis, presentation, and documentation of scientific data and scientific reports.
• Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills and ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment approximately 75% of the time including occasional weekend hours.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in genome editing or high throughput genetic library screening.
• Skill to perform animal studies, including rodent handling, dosing.
• Ability to analyze next generation sequencing or other genome-scale datasets.
• Proven track record and strong publications in stem cell or developmental biology.
• Knowledge of R, Python and FlowJo.

Pay Range

$120,000 - $145,000

(This range reflects the base salary only and does not include additional compensation such as annual bonus and equity awards, which are part of the total compensation package.)

Disclosure Statement: The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At GC Therapeutics, our generous competitive benefits package also include generous PTO, paid holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life and Disability Insurance and transportation subsidy.

Equal Opportunity Workplace: GC Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and existing employees without regard to ancestry, national origin, place of birth, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military or otherwise to the full extent of all federal, state and local laws. GC Therapeutics’ equal employment opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of recruiting, hiring, placement, training, compensation, transfer, leave of absence, employment, promotion, layoff and termination of employment.