Post-Doctoral Research Scientist – NGS Methods Development and Cancer Genomics

Zymo Research is seeking a postdoctoral research scientist to join the Epigenetics Technology group and develop innovative molecular and next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods to investigate genetic variants, genomic abnormalities, DNA damage, and genome instability in cancer and other diseases. This hands-on role combines strong molecular biology and enzymology with sequencing library preparation and experimental DNA damage and structure mapping.

The scientist will pursue high-risk, high-reward methods development, moving from scientific hypotheses through feasibility testing, optimization, and analytical validation. The role requires direct cancer research experience and the ability to work independently through technical uncertainty. The scientist will contribute to invention disclosures, patent applications, and peer-reviewed manuscripts. Experience in epigenetics is valuable but is not required.

Join us in making a meaningful impact!

• Design and execute original methods development projects addressing disease-associated variants, genomic abnormalities, and genome integrity. Define testable hypotheses, appropriate controls, milestones, and criteria for continuing, revising, or stopping an experimental approach.
• Develop and troubleshoot NGS library preparation workflows and molecular assays. Optimize nucleic acid handling (e.g. minimizing DNA damage), enzymatic processing, adapter incorporation, amplification, and quality control to improve molecule recovery, accuracy, complexity, and reproducibility.
• Develop and evaluate experimental approaches for DNA damage and structure mapping (R-loops, D-loops). Distinguish biological signals from changes introduced during sample handling, extraction, storage, or library preparation using appropriate controls and independent measurements.
• Apply enzymology to characterize and optimize nucleic acid-modifying enzymes. Assess activity, specificity, substrate dependence, kinetics, and reaction compatibility; collaborate with the protein team on enzyme selection and improvement.

• Validate methods using defined standards, reference materials and model systems (e.g. cancer cell lines). Assess sensitivity, specificity, precision, background error, and robustness across sample quality and input levels.
• Work with bioinformatics scientists to interpret sequencing data, assess variants/SNPs, DNA damages/structures and mapping accuracy, and investigate sources of bias. Integrate experimental and computational evidence when refining assay performance.
• Maintain traceable records, communicate findings and technical risks, and document reproducible methods. Draft scientific manuscripts, prepare invention disclosures, and contribute experimental evidence and technical writing for patent applications with relevant teams.
• Provide scientific guidance to supporting researchers and contribute to other projects requiring relevant expertise. Balance exploratory research with clear feasibility decisions and practical development goals.

• Provide scientific guidance and training to potential Research Associates and Interns. Demonstrate creativity, scientific rigor, sound judgment, persistence through uncertainty, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, genetics, genomics, or a related field, with first-authored peer-reviewed publications demonstrating original scientific contributions.
• Direct research experience in cancer biology or cancer genomics, including cancer-associated mutations or genomic abnormalities and DNA damage, repair, or genome instability.
• Experience in probe-enrichment assays followed by NGS (e.g. exome-sequencing).
• Demonstrated hands-on NGS methods development experience, including library preparation design, optimization, troubleshooting, and quantitative performance evaluation.

• Strong molecular biology background, including DNA manipulation, primer and probe design, PCR and qPCR, adapter ligation, nucleic acid purification, and DNA and sequencing library quality control.
• Strong enzymology background with practical experience developing biochemical assays, interpreting enzyme activity and substrate specificity, and optimizing reaction conditions and multi-enzyme workflows.
• Understanding of genetic variation, structural and copy-number…