Scientist I, Disease Biology

About the role

This Scientist I role builds and applies experimental biology to address fundamental questions in cell rejuvenation.

Research roles build new knowledge and test ideas. Researchers design studies, run experiments, and analyze results. The work spans academic labs, corporate R&D, and product research. Rigor, reproducibility, and clear reporting are the standards that matter. Research work is evaluated on rigor and reproducibility. Most researchers keep detailed lab books or version-controlled analysis code.

Key facts

What you'll do

In vivo studies are designed and conducted to evaluate candidate interventions and to compare in vitro findings with whole-organism outcomes.

Promising intervention mechanisms are elucidated so therapeutic targets and modalities can be identified and prioritized for further study.

Multidisciplinary projects are supported and managed to accelerate essential research activities and to integrate results across teams.

Project-specific experimental strategies, techniques, and procedures are developed to address biological questions in cell rejuvenation.

Requirements

A PhD in Biology, Cell Biology, Physiology, or a related field is required, with 0-3 years of post-PhD experience as stated.

A proven track record of elucidating complex age-associated disease mechanisms, including kidney, lung, liver, and skin indications in relevant models, is required.

Hands-on experience developing and validating cell-based disease assays, including benchmarking assay performance against relevant standards, is required.

Strong hands-on experience conceptualizing and performing rodent in vivo disease assays using relevant laboratory techniques and methods is required.

Professional writing skills are required to communicate effectively through writing and presentations to varied audiences.

Problem-solving skills are required to identify issues, conduct research, and develop innovative solutions in a dynamic setting.

The ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with staff colleagues, lab members, faculty, outside agencies, collaborators, and the community is required.

Demonstrated high productivity and the ability to complete work in a timely manner while organizing work and setting priorities are required.

An ability to focus on details to produce accurate, quality work driven by deadlines in a dynamic environment is required.

Effective teamwork is required to thrive in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment while navigating complex biological questions.

Nice to have

Background in aging biology, regeneration, fibrosis, inflammation, metabolic disease, neurodegeneration, or related therapeutic areas aligns with disease biology goals.

Experience dissecting mechanisms of action for candidate interventions such as gene targets, small molecules, peptides, or other biologics is preferred.

Experience developing and optimizing high-throughput screening and/or functional genomics assays supports large-scale experiments.

Direct experience with in vivo lung, kidney, liver, or endothelial chronic disease models informs study design and interpretation.

Experience in computational biology and bioinformatics aids analysis and integration of multidimensional datasets.

Practical notes

Altos Labs operates in a dynamic, team-based scientific environment focused on discovery and collaboration.

The role requires occasional travel and close coordination with cross-functional teams.

Typical interview steps

Research interviews usually include a presentation of past work, a technical discussion, and sometimes a research proposal exercise. Candidates may be asked to design a study or critique a method. Depth of understanding is tested more than speed. Interviewers often ask you to present your past work in depth. Being ready to defend every methodological choice is the core preparation.

Career growth

Research careers grow from junior researcher to senior scientist, principal, and lab or research director roles. Some people move into applied research and product work. Publication record or demonstrable impact drives progression, depending on the setting. Research careers reward a strong publication or delivery record. Applied research roles value impact on products as much as novelty.