Founding Scientist (Synthetic Genomics)
Founding Scientist (Synthetic Genomics) at Exonic — San Francisco, CA, US
- Company: Exonic
- Location: San Francisco, CA, US
- Employment type: FULL_TIME
- Salary: USD 120000–180000 / year
- Posted: 2026-07-17
About this role
Exonic Biosciences · Dogpatch, San Francisco
$120K–$180K a year + equity
Exonic is building AI systems for programmable biology.
We train multimodal foundation models on large-scale biological datasets to design synthetic non-coding DNA. We experimentally validate our AI-designed systems in mammalian cells, with current applications in cell-type targeting and viral vector biomanufacturing.
Our core focus is synthetic regulatory DNA. We have already generated strong in vitro cell-type targeting results and are expanding our internal experimental platform in San Francisco.
We are looking for an ambitious experimental scientist to take ownership of Exonic’s wet-lab work and help push the platform into new directions.
You would work directly with the founder as one of the first people in the company.
What you’ll work on
Own and execute experimental validation of AI-designed regulatory DNA
Design and run cell-based assays for synthetic enhancer and expression systems
Help advance programs in cell-type targeting and AAV manufacturing
Help shape Exonic’s experimental roadmap as the company grows
Relevant experience
Molecular biology, synthetic biology, regulatory genomics, or gene therapy
Mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays
Cloning, plasmid design, transfection, qPCR/ddPCR, sequencing, flow, luciferase, or related workflows
AAV biology/manufacturing experience is a major plus
We care most about ownership, execution speed, and comfort with ambiguity.
This is an early-stage role with autonomy, and the opportunity to build the biological engine of an AI-native synthetic DNA company.
Location: San Francisco / MBC BioLabs