Senior / Principal Associate Scientist, Mass Spectrometry

Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

Calico is seeking a Senior/Principal Associate Scientist with strong expertise in analytical chemistry and extensive hands-on experience operating and maintaining mass spectrometry instrumentation. This role will support state-of-the-art methodologies in Calico’s Metabolomics Group, managing multiple instruments and operating a diverse set of MS-based workflows including targeted MRM methods, high throughput-MS, and DDA-based discovery metabolomics.  

Responsibilities:

• Act as the group’s point-of-contact for the troubleshooting and maintenance of both high resolution and triple quadrupole mass spectrometers (Thermo QE+, Exploris 480, ID-X, Sciex 7500), along with accompanying UPLCs (Thermo Vanquish, Agilent Bio 1290)
• Routinely perform mass spectrometry workflows from sample prep to reporting, ensuring rigorous standards for data quality
• Develop and optimize sample preparation protocols and LC-MS methods
• Evaluate mass spectrometry data quality; investigate and resolve issues that produce poor quality data
• Prepare metabolomics and lipidomics samples from tissues, cells, and biofluids 

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field with 8+ years (or 6+ for Master’s) of additional experience in an analytical chemistry lab
• Highly efficient working with LC-MS hardware and software
• Incredible attention to detail and driven to generate the highest quality data, along with the ability to handle multiple projects
• Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills
• Must be willing to work onsite five days a week

Nice to Have:

• Experience with R or Python
• Hands-on experience with automated liquid handling systems, like the Hamilton Vantage
• Previous experience handling and preparing biological samples for analysis (biofluids, cell culture, tissue)
• Familiarity with sample prep techniques, such as liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction

The estimated base salary range for this role is $122,000 - $159,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.