Scientist / Senior Scientist, Membrane Biochemistry

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

About the role

Our Mission Our mission is to restore cell health and resilience through cell rejuvenation to reverse disease, injury, and the disabilities that can occur throughout life. For more information, see our website at altoslabs.com. Our Value Our Single Altos Value: Everyone Owns Achieving Our Inspiring Mission. Diversity at Altos Altos Labs has been named one of the Top 3 Biotech Companies and ranked for the second year on the Forbes 2026 Best Startups in America list.  At Altos, exceptional scientists and industry leaders from around the world work together to advance a shared mission. Our intentional focus is on Belonging, so that all employees know that they are valued for their unique perspectives. We are all accountable for sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment.What You Will Contribute To Altos   As an individual contributor and Scientist in Discovery Science, you will advance Altos' scientific programs on brain aging and neurodegeneration using lipid and protein biochemistry approaches. The ideal candidate is an expert in membrane and lipid biology with experience purifying and structurally characterizing transmembrane or peripheral membrane-binding proteins. You will design and implement workflows that include construct design, expression and purification from mammalian recombinant sources, chromatography purification, membrane reconstitution, and vitrification for electron microscopy. You will also carry out biochemical activity assays and characterize biophysical properties of purified proteins, including hydrodynamic radius, binding kinetics, protein stability, and oligomerization. Experience with mass spectrometry, NMR, or X-ray crystallography of lipid-protein interactions is also of interest but not required. This position is in the Frost group at Altos Labs' Bay Area campus. Responsibilities

Design expression constructs and perform recombinant cell culture for membrane protein and membrane-associated protein purification and characterization. Evaluate the purity, stability, and physical properties of purified proteins.  Develop new protein activity assays and establish SOPs.  Coordinate with CROs for material generation and analysis.

Who You Are Minimum qualifications 

PhD in a related field, such as Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biophysics, or Structural Biology Demonstrable understanding of biochemistry, including the use of electron microscopy for structural biochemistry.  Excellent communication skills and proven ability to collaborate within a dynamic team. Demonstrated experience with quantitative binding biophysics (BLI, SPR, or ITC), including kinetic and affinity analysis. Experience with methods for assessing purity, mass, or stability (mass photometry, SEC-MALS, DLS, analytical SEC, or DSF/thermal stability). Experience reconstituting membrane or lipid-associated proteins into liposomes or nanodiscs. Experience with Cryo-EM sample preparation and data analysis workflows.  High level of rigor and precision in experimental design, data recording, and documentation in an ELN.  A proactive, problem-solving attitude with the ability to independently troubleshoot, manage multiple priorities, and deliver under timelines.

Preferred qualifications

Experience with AI-assisted protein design pipelines.  Immunoassay development (ECL/MSD, ELISA). Bioconjugation or synthetic chemistry for lipid, glycan, or fluorophore probes.

The salary range for Redwood City, CA

Scientist I, Scientific Technologies: $136,300 - $174,700 Scientist II, Scientific Technologies: $156,800 - $201,000 Senior Scientist I, Scientific Technologies: $172,400 - $221,000 

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. #LI-NN1 For UK applicants, before submitting your application:

  • Please click here to read the Altos Labs EU and UK Applicant Privacy Notice (bit.ly/eu_uk_privacy_notice)- This Privacy Notice is not a contract, express or implied and it does not set terms or conditions of employment.Equal Opportunity Employment We value collaboration and scientific excellence. We believe that a culture of belonging are foundational to scientific innovation and inquiry. At Altos Labs, exceptional scientists and industry leaders from around the world work together to advance a shared mission. Our intentional focus is on Belonging, so that all employees know that they are valued for their unique perspectives. We are all accountable for sustaining an inclusive environment. Altos Labs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Altos prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Thank you for your interest in Altos Labs where we strive for a culture of scientific excellence, learning, and belonging. Note: Altos Labs will not ask you to download a messaging app for an interview or outlay your own money to get started as an employee. If this sounds like your interaction with people claiming to be with Altos, it is not legitimate and has nothing to do with Altos. Learn more about a common job scam at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-spot-avoid-online-job-scams-biron-clark/

About Altos Labs

Operator of a biotechnology company intended to restore cell health and resilience with the goal of reversing disease, injuries, and disabilities.

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Job details

Salary

$136,300 - $221,000

Location

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Company

NameAltos Labs
IndustryBiopharma
Team Size4

Funding

Total raised

$3B

Last stage

Series A

Investors

ARCH Venture Partners
JJeff Bezos
YYuri Milner
Foresite Capital
8VC

Founders

RK

Rick Klausner

Chief Scientific Advisor and Founder

LinkedIn
HB

Hans Bishop

President and Founder

Hal Barron

Hal Barron

CEO and Founder

LinkedIn
RK

Richard (Rick) Klausner

Chief Scientist and Founder

What happens next.

No applications, no recruiter spam. Just the intro.

01

Confirm the fit

A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.

02

I pitch you to the company

I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.

03

A meeting lands on your calendar

If they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.