Life Science Research Professional 3

The Laboratory of Jesse Engreitz (Department of Genetics, BASE Initiative) is seeking a Research Scientist in CRISPR Genomics (Life Science Research Professional 3) to lead large-scale data production projects to understand the genetic basis of heart diseases. The Engreitz Laboratory is located in the Biomedical Innovations Building on the main campus at Stanford University and is a member of the BASE Initiative in the Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center.

Project overview: DNA regulatory elements in the human genome, which harbor thousands of genetic risk variants for common and rare heart diseases and could reveal targets for therapeutics that aim to precisely tune cellular functions — if only we could map the complex regulatory wiring that connects 2 million regulatory elements with 21,000 genes, and genes with thousaunds of pathways across the diverse cell types in the human body. We have recently developed new approaches that could enable mapping this regulatory wiring at massive scale (e.g., Fulco et al. Science 2016, Fulco & Nasser et al. Nat Genet 2019, Martyn & Montgomery et al. Cell 2025, Gschwind* et al. Nature 2026), and applied these and other approaches to understand the genetic basis of complex diseases (e.g., Schnitzler et al. Nature 2024). We aim to expand these studies to systematically map the functions of variants, enhancers, and genes in many cell types from the heart and vasculature. These datasets will enable training powerful new predictive models of genome function. These studies will ultimately help to uncover biological mechanisms of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, and other heart diseases to help to guide diagnosis and therapeutic development.  For information and recent work, see https://www.engreitzlab.org and https://med.stanford.edu/base.html

We are looking for a creative and passionate Research Scientist (PhD-level) to lead the next phase of our efforts to systematically perturb the genome to understand genome function and phenotype. The ideal candidate would lead independent projects, design and supervise large-scale CRISPR data generation projects, manage collaborations between the Engreitz Lab and NIH-led consortia, and play a leading role in writing publications and grants. The Engreitz Lab provides a dynamic, interdisciplinary workplace with unique access to cutting edge technologies and scientific thought, with the potential for widespread recognition of scientific contributions. We value a diversity of values, backgrounds, and approaches to solving problems.

 

The candidate for this position should have hands-on experience in cellular genomics, molecular biology, and technology development; experience with quantitative data analysis and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams; curiosity in research and creativity in problem-solving; strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; experience building or managing teams; outstanding verbal and written communication abilities; ability to adapt to and effectively manage changes in a fast paced and dynamic environment; and have a passion for science and sense of urgency to find new medicines to benefit patients.

 

In addition to submitting your application via the Stanford web portal, please email your CV and cover letter directly to Prof. Jesse Engreitz (engreitz@stanford.edu).

 

Duties include: 

 

- Make fundamental discoveries about gene regulation and the genetics of cardiovascular disease

 - Together with PI and other lab members, design and execute scientific projects 

 - Collect comprehensive perturbation datasets to inform genome function and enable training predictive models

- Develop and apply strategies to study enhancers and genes in human cells and mouse models

- Evaluate and recommend new emerging technologies, approaches, and problems

- Supervise, train, and collaborate with other lab members in experimental techniques, scientific design, and other skills

- Design and lead independent projects

- Collaborate with a team of experimentalists and computational biologists

- Create scientifically rigorous visualizations, communications, and presentations of results

- Contribute to generation of protocols, publications, and intellectual property

 

Grade: H

FTE: 100%

Responsibilities

Core Duties:

• Design research approaches for a major portion of researchproject(s), including background research, experimental design andexecution, problem solving, and writing up for publication.

• Develop new protocols; test and evaluate a variety ofapproaches.

• Conduct complex (lab and/or field) experiments, and maintaindetailed records of experiments and outcomes; analyze and interpretresearch data resulting from original procedures and methods.

• Assist with new research proposals and applications for fundingand grants.

• Prepare periodic progress reports or written reports on allphases of the research project.

• Lead or participate in multidisciplinary teams across differentfaculties or schools.

• Contribute substantively to the preparation of papers forpublication, especially in the results section. May be a co-author onpublications. Present ongoing work and findings to colleagues atacademic conferences.

• Perform ongoing literature review to remain current with newprocedures and related research; propose new research directions basedon new advances discussed in literature.

• Oversee supply and equipment budget under minimal supervision ofprincipal investigator or business manager.

• Work with health and safety department to ensure lab complieswith regulations and all required trainings.

• Formally supervise and train new staff or students as needed,including hiring, performance management, and related duties. Provideinstruction on techniques and consultation on project work.

Minimum Education andExperience

Bachelor's degree in related scientific field and four years ofrelevant work experience; or Master’s degree in a related scientificfield and two years relevant experience; or PhD in related sciencefield.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Comprehensive understanding of scientific principles.

• Expert level knowledge and skills in field of science related toresearch project.

• General computer skills, experience with databases and scientificapplications, and ability to quickly learn and master computerprograms.

• Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment.

• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance isessential.

• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability tocomplete detailed work accurately.

• Developing project management skills.