The Senior Scientist, Biochemistry will lead development and implementation of high-throughput biochemical assays to discover and characterize aminopeptidases with properties relevant to next-generation protein sequencing. The role will focus on screening diverse aminopeptidase candidates for activity, selectivity, kinetics, robustness, and performance across a broad range of substrates. The successful candidate will combine strong expertise in enzymology, protein biochemistry, assay development, and quantitative data analysis to advance enzyme reagents.
Core Responsibilities
- Develop workflows and progression criteria for primary screening, hit confirmation, characterization, ranking, and advancement of enzyme candidates.
- Integrate screening assays into enzyme-evolution pipelines and coordinate the advancement of promising candidates into downstream development and sequencing-assay evaluation.
- Develop clear, reusable reporting tools to communicate screening results, candidate recommendations, and pipeline status.
- Purify and characterize proteins to support assay development and candidate evaluation.
- Use laboratory automation and data-analysis tools to increase screening throughput, consistency, and traceability.
- Contribute to a culture of scientific rigor, execution, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.
- Document and transfer selected assays to downstream QC teams to support the release of production enzymes.
Required Qualifications
- M.S. with 7+ years or Ph.D. with 3+ years of relevant academic or industry experience in protein biochemistry, enzymology, biophysics, biotechnology, chemical biology, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to independently and creatively design, optimize, and troubleshoot biochemical assays for challenging enzymology applications.
- Strong foundation in enzyme kinetics, protein-substrate interactions, assay controls, and quantitative interpretation of biochemical data.
- Experience developing enzyme-activity assays using fluorescence, absorbance, polarization, chromatography, or related readouts.
- Ability to analyze large experimental datasets and use computational or statistical tools to support assay optimization and candidate selection.
- Ability to learn, set up, and operate complex instrumentation and laboratory automation.
- Ability to plan and execute multiple scientific workstreams while maintaining high standards for experimental design, documentation, and data quality.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing and scaling high-throughput enzyme-screening workflows, including assay miniaturization and automation.
- Expertise in aminopeptidases, proteases, exopeptidases, or other proteolytic enzymes.
- Experience evaluating enzyme activity across diverse peptide substrates and sequence contexts.
- Experience with rapid-kinetics methods and instrumentation, including stopped-flow or quench-flow systems.
- Hands-on experience with protein expression, purification, and characterization using chromatography systems such as AKTA and HPLC.
- Experience with fluorescence polarization, fluorimeters such as Fluoromax, LC-MS, or other orthogonal methods for enzyme characterization.
- Experience with peptide synthesis, peptide conjugation, protein labeling, or single-molecule assay development.
- Experience with labeling and evaluation of proteins using ensemble and single-molecule assays.
The estimated base salary range for this position in the United States is $135,000- $165,000. In addition to base salary, full-time employees are eligible to participate in Quantum-Si's discretionary annual bonus program and may receive equity awards as part of the total compensation package.
Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the position level, relevant skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and market data.
Quantum-Si also offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employees' health, well-being, work-life balance, and family needs. Benefits include:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options, where applicable
- Company-paid life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources to support personal and professional well-being
- Discretionary paid time off and company-paid holidays
- Parental leave to support employees welcoming and caring for a new child
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with both pre-tax and Roth contribution options
Additional Information
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Quantum-Si does not provide employment-based immigration sponsorship of any kind for this position, including support for applicants currently pursuing permanent residency (Green Card sponsorship).
Quantum-Si does not accept unsolicited agency resumes.
Quantum-Si is an E-Verify and equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or Veteran status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines