Arc Institute (Horns Lab) Postdoctoral Researcher, Synthetic Biology & Genomics, Palo Alto, California, USA

Arc Institute is hiring Postdoctoral Researchers for the Horns Lab in Palo Alto, California, USA. Required background is a doctorate (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, DVM or equivalent) in a relevant field such as bioengineering, synthetic biology, genetics, immunology or neuroscience.

Job Details

Organization: Arc Institute (Palo Alto)

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Horns Lab

Location: Palo Alto, California, USA

Experience: Postdoctoral (early-career; Freshers eligible as recent doctorates)

Job Reference: 5765058004

Job Description

The Horns Lab develops and applies technologies bridging synthetic biology and genomics to answer fundamental and translational questions in human health, with particular emphasis on immunology and neuroscience. The lab builds new tools and uses them to discover mechanisms in complex, dynamic systems including the immune system, the brain and other tissues.

Key Responsibilities

Postdocs are encouraged to lead ambitious, independent projects resulting in high-impact publications and to prepare for long-term careers in academia or industry, with collaboration across Arc, Stanford and the broader Bay Area ecosystem and access to platforms for genomics, single-cell technologies, synthetic biology, computation and experimental model systems.

Example research questions on the notice include:

  • How to measure cellular dynamics non-destructively at scale, capturing histories, interactions and functional outputs.
  • How extracellular vesicles (EVs) and virus-like particles (VLPs) interact with cells and tissues and what molecular rules govern secretion, trafficking, uptake and cargo delivery.
  • How to engineer delivery systems to target specific cell types and achieve efficient cytosolic delivery.
  • Related immunology and neuroscience mechanism questions.

Eligibility Criteria

Required background is a doctorate (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, DVM or equivalent) in a relevant field such as bioengineering, synthetic biology, genetics, immunology or neuroscience.

Required Skills

  • Curiosity, independence and collaboration skills are emphasised.
  • Experience in single-cell technologies, synthetic biology or related areas is described as a plus.

Additional Information

Arc scientists have long-term funding and industry-like resources without commercial pressures, unlike typical academic labs.

Institute initiatives named on the posting include a Virtual Cell Initiative building full-stack virtual cell models for disease mechanisms and drug-target nomination, and an Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative mapping genes, pathways and environmental factors behind Alzheimer’s disease, with more than 300 staff at the Palo Alto headquarters under long-term philanthropic funding.

How to Apply

Applications are made through the official Greenhouse careers board (job 5765058004).

About Arc Institute

Arc is an independent nonprofit research organization at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology, partnering with Stanford University, UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION / APPLY ONLINE

To apply, use the official Greenhouse careers board (job 5765058004).