Assay Development Lead, Preclinical Development

Loyal is an early stage company developing drugs to help companion dogs live longer, healthier lives. We apply innovative approaches to tackling aging as a disease that can be slowed and improved with medicine.

Loyal is hiring a Scientist/Senior Scientist, Preclinical Development (Assay Development Lead). You’ll join our Preclinical Development team to lead the development of protein quantitative assays, particularly antibody-based formats used in our canine preclinical development pipelines. Expertise in ELISA, MSD, alphaLISA and/or multiplexing is desirable. The candidate will troubleshoot and develop assays aimed at measuring relevant aging biomarkers in dogs. Focus will be on the development of in-house assays that allow for the translation of candidate molecules from preclinical laboratory assessment to clinical development. Applicants should have extensive experience with protein- and mRNA-based assay development and strategic biomarker selection, and familiarity with assay development, quality control and validation regulatory guidelines is a plus.

Loyal is an early-stage company, which means there are no stringent hierarchies, silos or bureaucracy. While you will be ultimately responsible for executing key research projects, you will have ample opportunity to work with, learn from, and influence other sides of the company. Loyal is an early stage start-up company and is well funded by top venture capitalists and angels.

Loyal is founded and led by a first-gen, female CEO – we encourage and look forward to diverse applicants.

Education & Qualifications

• • PhD or equivalent experience in a STEM field (biology, metabolism, analytical sciences, etc)
  • Ability and willingness to modify and optimize assays to become fit for purpose
  • Adaptability, creativity and high-performer in risk-assessment and strategic thinking
  • In-depth understanding of de novo assay development, experimental design, troubleshooting, execution, data analysis and interpretation
  • Hands-on bench expertise in plate-based assays, single and multiplexed immunoassays, diverse biological matrices, RNA/DNA/protein isolation and quantification, qRT-PCR, etc
  • Detailed eye for logistics and problem solving
  • Strong work ethic and comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment with a dynamic team.
  • Clear and respectful communication skills
  • Previous experience working with and/or managing external vendors and contract research organizations is a plus

Your daily work will include

• • Lead the design, experimental set up, management and interpretation of in-house biomarker assay development projects
  • Exercise your scientific expertise and knowledge to lead key assay development projects and experiments for our drug development pipelines
  • Contact and work with external vendors and contract research organizations to assist in the biomarker assay development and transfer process
  • Design and execute experiments providing technical and strategic input to support projects for key go/no-go decisions
  • Work cross-functionally with others on the Preclinical Development and Research Operations team to prioritize assay development timelines according to current milestone timelines
  • Work both independently and collaboratively on literature deep dives to lead assay development projects
  • Analyze and interpret assay data and incorporate into official study reports and regulatory documents for FDA submission
  • Accurate and detailed documentation of experiments and data
  • Clearly communicate and discuss results in meetings with the Loyal team

While not necessary, we’d be especially excited if you have

• • At least 2 years experience developing biomarker assays (preferably using serum/plasma/saliva/urine matrices) that have contributed to drug development programs
  • Experience with basic data analysis tools (e.g. Excel, GraphPad Prism).
  • Demonstrable interest or previous work in aging, longevity, age-related diseases, metabolism and/or cognition
  • Previous experience working in a small, fast-paced biotechnology company.
  • Dog person.

How You Work & Think

• • Gladly participate in a team-oriented culture
  • You need minimal supervision and are able to adapt to the dynamic of a startup environment.
  • Detail oriented, disciplined, naturally seek ownership and responsibility, and happy working on a mix of the fascinating and the mundane.
  • Highest standards for scientific quality and rigor.
  • Clear communicator of scientific topics and challenges.
  • Loves to learn and is excited to self-teach random topics as relevant to the company and projects.
  • Ability to meet or beat rapid deadlines and work well under pressure.
  • Concise, logical thinker who can communicate complicated topics with ease.
  • Growth mindset, value transparency, seek out feedback and iteration cycles

Logistics

• • Full-time position based in San Francisco, CA - our lab space is in the Dogpatch neighborhood
  • Execution of key ongoing biomarker assay development experiments conducted both in-house and with external research organizations and partners
  • Competitive salary depending on your background & company equity
  • Full coverage health/dental/vision
  • Monthly learning budget for books, self-improvement
  • Monthly wellness budget for gym membership and self care
  • Start ASAP

The Fundamentality of Health | Good health is critical to every other human (and animal!) experience. We believe health is a fundamental right and are dedicating our lives to maximizing health and developing better medicines for the worst diseases.

Truth Seeking & Feedback Loops | Uniquely in biology, there is a predetermined truth of whether a specific drug will work or not — we just have to catch up with biology! We seek out this truth and do not shy away from inconvenient truths. This holds for personal development too: we are always searching for feedback loops and embody a perpetual growth mindset.

Morality & Empathy | We are developing medicines that may one day be given to a living animal, medicines that if designed badly could hurt that animal instead of help. This is a huge responsibility and should be respected as such. Our work needs to adhere to the strictest moral code and always integrate empathy for the patient.

Transparency | We believe full transparency in thoughts, opinions, intentions, and actions (both good ones and mistakes) is a better way to build a business and work together.

Kindness | Great business(wo)men do not need to be ruthless — you can execute excellently with kindness.

Dog gifs | We love them.