Staff / Senior Scientist, Assay Development (Chemistry)

About Glyphic:

At Glyphic Biotechnologies, we plan to create the protein revolution for which scientists and researchers have been waiting. We are developing a massively parallel, single-molecule proteome sequencing platform that will transform life science discovery and usher in a new era of insights into human biology and disease. To date, we have raised >$80M from venture partners and non-dilutive grant funding to achieve our vision of next generation proteome sequencing.

What we are looking for in you

We are seeking a Senior or Staff Scientist to join our Assay Development team at a critical stage in platform development. Reporting to the Director of Assay Development, you will be a hands-on expert working at the chemistry-assay interface — developing the chemical methods that enable reliable, high-efficiency sample loading into our expansion assay, and building the novel conjugation, cleavage, and stabilization workflows that power our single-molecule proteome sequencing platform. You will work closely with the Chemistry team to develop sample input methods for new protein and peptide types, including side-chain protection strategies, encoder loading routes, and peptide-from-protein handoff approaches.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in peptide chemistry, bioorthogonal and click conjugation strategies, and cleavage chemistry development — with a track record of building new chemical methods for complex, multi-component systems. You combine a synthetic chemist's mechanistic rigor with sensitivity to how chemistry performs inside a demanding multi-cycle assay environment.

This is a full-time, exempt, in-person position with work conducted at our Berkeley, CA location.

What you’ll do

Expansion assay chemistry & sample loading

• Optimize bioconjugation methods for peptide loading into the expansion assay; establish robust, high-efficiency loading protocols that perform reliably across diverse peptide populations and physicochemical characteristics.
• Identify, characterize, and optimize peptide labeling during the ProSE sequencing assay, leveraging mechanistic understanding of Edman chemistry and amino acid side-chain reactivity and stability.
• Develop reagents and methods to maximize the stability of peptides, DNA, and peptide-DNA chimeras throughout the ProSE sequencing assay.
• Partner with the Chemistry team to develop amino acid side-chain protection chemistries.
• Evaluate compatibility of new chemistries with existing assay components, reagents, and multi-cycle sequencing conditions.
• Evaluate emerging chemistries from the literature and internal pipeline; synthesize and test candidate reagents.

Novel assay chemistry workflows

• Design and determine the order of operations for chemical manipulations within the assay workflow — including decisions on when specific steps occur on-bead versus off-bead, and how side-chain protection and deprotection strategies are sequenced relative to assay cycles — to ensure compatibility, efficiency, and analytical interpretability.
• Optimize selective cleavage chemistry workflows for use within the sequencing assay.
• Optimize for efficiency, selectivity, and compatibility with assay conditions.
• Develop stabilization strategies for sensitive assay intermediates and conjugates.
• Employ analytical methods — HPLC (RP and IEX), LC-MS/MS, UV-Vis, CE — to characterize conjugation efficiency, adduct identity, purity, and stability of assay intermediates and conjugates.
• Characterize and troubleshoot the impact of the chemical steps of multi-cycle workflows.

What you need

Required :

• Advanced degree in organic chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, or a related field
• Industry experience designing multi-step chemical workflows in complex biological systems, including sequencing or determining the order of chemical manipulations across assay conditions.

• MS/PhD with 6+/4+ years of experience (for Senior Scientist)
• MS/PhD with 8+/6+ years of experience (for Staff Scientist)

• Demonstrated experience developing site-selective bioconjugation chemistry for native peptides — including N-terminal, C-terminal, and side-chain modification strategies — using click chemistry (CuAAC, SPAAC, IEDDA), NHS-ester coupling, and related bioorthogonal approaches in multi-component peptide systems.
• Experience developing multi-step workflows using peptides, oligonucleotides and bioconjugation techniques including in solution and on surfaces.
• Proficiency with analytical characterization of complex conjugates and assay intermediates: HPLC (RP and IEX), LC-MS/MS, UV-Vis; demonstrated ability to develop and validate analytical methods for novel chemical entities.
• Method-development mindset: history of building and adapting new chemical approaches rather than executing established protocols.
• Ability to function as both an independent contributor and a collaborative partner in a cross-functional team environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work seamlessly with colleagues from diverse scientific and technical backgrounds.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.

Nice to have :

• Familiarity with nanopore or single-molecule sequencing chemistry, and the demands it places on assay reagent purity, stability, and uniformity.
• Experience with solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), including on-resin modification, selective sidechain deprotection, and non-standard protecting group strategies.
• Familiarity with statistical and DOE-based experimental design for chemistry optimization.
• Prior experience in an early-stage biotech or tools/diagnostics company.

We’re looking for a teammate that :

• Navigates complex team dynamics, partnerships, and challenges with creativity and logic.
• Operates with adaptability, urgency, and flexibility in evolving environments, thriving in ambiguity.
• Drives work forward without needing to be asked, taking responsibility for outcomes rather than tasks.
• Treats obstacles as problems to be creatively solved, not reasons something can’t be done.
• Applies sound judgment to the best available information, testing, learning, and iterating.
• Shares early and directly when assumptions change, resul