Scientist 2-Spatial Biology and Biophysics

About the role

This position involves conducting research and product development within the Spatial Biology department. You will apply expertise in molecular biology and biophysics to refine assays and evaluate imaging platforms. The role requires ownership of end-to-end experimental strategy, from conceptual design through data generation and interpretation. You will act as a key technical leader in translating scientific questions into robust assay workflows. Success in this position depends on your ability to drive project milestones and communicate complex data clearly. You will contribute to the creation of high-quality internal standards and best practices. This role demands intellectual curiosity and a commitment to rigorous scientific validation. You will help define the future of spatial biology measurement through innovative biophysical approaches.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead cross-disciplinary product development efforts to meet technical milestones by designing and executing experiments that de-risk new assay concepts.
• Design and perform experiments using biochemical and imaging platforms to characterize the performance and reproducibility of spatial biology assays.
• Analyze and report data to internal stakeholders through compelling presentations and detailed documentation that convey technical nuance clearly.
• Collaborate with software, microfluidics, engineering, and computational biology teams to integrate feedback and align on shared objectives for product usability.
• Create standardized protocols for internal use during the development lifecycle to ensure consistency and scalability across experiments.
• Evaluate new imaging platforms and operational parameters to identify improvements that enhance data quality, throughput, and reproducibility.
• Implement rigorous data quality checks and controls to validate assay performance against established benchmarks and acceptance criteria.
• Translate scientific requirements into technical specifications that guide the development of new products and workflow optimizations.
• Mentor junior scientists by providing hands-on training in molecular biology techniques, imaging acquisition, and data analysis principles.
• Drive the execution of complex projects from hypothesis to conclusion, ensuring that all experimental variables are controlled and documented.
• Partner with bioinformatics and software teams to iterate on data analysis pipelines and visualization tools for spatial data outputs.
• Champion the adoption of best practices for assay miniaturization, automation compatibility, and sample integrity across the Spatial Biology organization.
• Identify and mitigate sources of technical variability by designing experiments that probe instrument performance and environmental factors.
• Contribute to the scientific reputation of 10x Genomics by presenting findings at conferences and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

Requirements

• PhD in Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Physical Chemistry, or a related field with a strong foundation in quantitative principles.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in spatial techniques, imaging, and in situ hybridization, ideally within the biotech sector and relevant to current commercial platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to create original molecular biology assay schemes, supported by patents or peer-reviewed publications that highlight technical innovation.
• Proficiency in problem solving, troubleshooting, and organizational tasks to manage multiple concurrent projects and shifting priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate scientific rationale, results, and implications to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, evolving work environment where hypotheses are tested quickly and protocols are iterated frequently.
• Experience working with complex biological samples and understanding the nuances of nucleic acid behavior in fixed and fresh tissues.
• Commitment to adhering to established scientific standards, safety protocols, and data integrity practices at all times during experimentation.
• Willingness to work onsite in Pleasanton, California, USA, participating fully in team meetings, lab activities, and collaborative reviews.
• Willingness to comply with 10x Genomics policies and procedures, including quality management systems and regulatory requirements relevant to the role.

Nice to have

• Experience with the 10x Genomics Xenium platform and familiarity with its performance characteristics, workflow steps, and data outputs.
• Proficiency in image analysis, including the use of specialized software for segmentation, registration, and quantitative measurement of spatial data.
• Ability to use Python, R, or AI-assisted coding for ad-hoc data analysis, enabling rapid exploration of datasets and visualization of results.

Practical notes

This is an onsite role based at the Pleasanton, California, USA headquarters. Total compensation includes equity grants, an annual bonus or sales incentive program, and comprehensive retirement and health benefits. 10x Genomics does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party agencies. Use only official 10x Genomics email addresses for communication and apply through verified career portals to avoid recruitment fraud. There are no specific visa sponsorship details or deadlines published for this position in the available source information.