Postdoctoral Researcher or Scientist – Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)

Job Summary:

Zymo Research is looking for a dynamic individual to join our Research and Development, NGS Team! As a Scientist in the NGS group at Zymo Research, you will play a key role in driving innovation across next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, from RNA-Seq and epigenetics to metagenomics and microbiome analysis. You will design and execute high-impact research that shapes Zymo’s next wave of products and scientific discoveries. This role is ideal for an ambitious and creative scientist who can integrate molecular biology, sequencing technology, and bioinformatics to develop groundbreaking solutions. The successful candidate will collaborate extensively with the Bioinformatics, Automation, and Commercial/Marketing teams, translating scientific advances into robust, user-friendly tools and assays. You will also have the opportunity to grow into a leadership role overseeing the broader NGS department, encompassing epigenomics, genomics, microbiomics, and transcriptomics initiatives. Your work will directly contribute to Zymo’s mission of “making science simple”, delivering world-class NGS solutions that accelerate discovery and clinical translation.

Join us in making a meaningful impact!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Innovation and Research Leadership

• Conceive, design, and execute innovative NGS-based methods and workflows for applications in RNA sequencing, epigenetics, metagenomics, and clinical diagnostics.
• Drive R&D projects from concept through validation and commercialization, ensuring scientific rigor, efficiency, and alignment with company goals.Evaluate and integrate emerging sequencing platforms and technologies (e.g., Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, PacBio, Element Biosciences) to maintain Zymo’s technological leadership.
• Identify opportunities to expand Zymo’s NGS portfolio into novel biological domains and multi-omics integration.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Bioinformatics to design, validate, and interpret complex sequencing datasets and analysis pipelines.

• Partner with Automation Engineers to streamline NGS workflows for scalability and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Marketing teams to define technical specifications, generate application data, and support product launch activities.

• Contribute to customer engagement efforts through beta testing, data-driven presentations, and scientific discussions.

Scientific Excellence and Mentorship

• Supervise and mentor Research Associates, Technicians, and Interns, fostering a culture of scientific curiosity and excellence.

• Lead internal technical workshops and training sessions to disseminate best practices and promote innovation.

• Author technical reports, white papers, scientific publications, and conference presentations to communicate findings internally and externally.

Project Management and Compliance

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to deliver milestones efficiently.

• Maintain thorough documentation in compliance with Zymo’s policies, quality systems, and regulatory standards (e.g., ISO, CLIA).
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and adherence to biosafety standards in all research activities.

Professional Development and Scientific Engagement

• Stay current on advances in sequencing, automation, and data analytics through literature, conferences, and collaborations.
• Represent Zymo Research at scientific meetings, symposia, and academic partnerships.
• Help shape the strategic direction of the NGS group as it evolves into a multidisciplinary innovation hub.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven expertizse in RNA biology, epigenetics, microbiomics, or other NGS-related areas.
• Hands-on experience in library preparation, sequencing platform operation, and data analysis.
• Strong publication record (minimum of two first-author peer-reviewed papers).
• Experience mentoring junior scientists or managing laboratory projects.

Preferred Experience

• Development of bioinformatics pipelines and integration of wet-lab and dry-lab workflows.
• Proven record in translating research into commercial NGS products or services.
• Familiarity with automation systems and high-throughput sequencing platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, or PacBio.
• Knowledge of regulatory or quality standards such as ISO 13485, CLIA, or GLP.

Core Competencies

• Scientific Innovation: Visionary mindset with the ability to transform novel ideas into impactful solutions.
• Technical Mastery: Deep understanding of molecular biology, sequencing technologies, and data interpretation.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Capable of growing into a leadership role guiding a multidisciplinary NGS department.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal communication skills to thrive in cross-functional teams.
• Project Management: Skilled at planning, prioritizing, and executing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Communication: Clear, engaging communicator across technical and non-technical audiences.

About Us:

Since its inception in 1994, Zymo Research has been proudly serving the scientific community by providing innovative, reliable, and high-quality research tools and products. Whether it's DNA, RNA, epigenetics, microbiomics, protein, or yeast-based research, our philosophy remains the same: To provide the highest quality products in the industry while ensuring they are both simple to use and reliable in their performance.

Recognized as a Top Workplace by the Orange County Register in 2021, 2022, and named a Top Workplace USA in 2023, Zymo Research continues to be a vibrant community where employees thrive, feel connected, and are inspired by their work. If you are passionate about contributing to scientific advancement and want to be part of an exceptional team in a dynamic, growing company, we'd love to hear from you!

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks:

The estimated base compensation range for this position is $70,000 - $110,00 a year at the time of posting. Actual compensation details will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors.

Zymo Research also offers competitive benefits and perks including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Coverages
• EAP Sessions
• Vacation Time plus Company Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Generous 401(K) with matching 
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Complimentary fruit, snacks, and beverages
• Complimentary catered lunches on Thursdays 
• Complimentary EV Charging 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

Zymo Research welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. These include sex, age, color, race, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical & mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by federal, state, or local law.

Location:

Onsite – Zymo Research Operations/HQ – 17062 Murphy Ave., Irvine, CA 92614

Disclaimer:

At Zymo, we take the integrity of our hiring process seriously. Please be aware of fraudulent recruitment activities that may use our name to deceive job seekers. We will never ask for payment, sensitive personal information, or financial details during the recruitment process.

All legitimate communications will come from an official Zymo or TriNet Hiring email address. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent us using a free email service (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or asking for payment, please treat this as fraudulent and report it immediately to HR@zymoresearch.com