Senior Scientist

Position Summary Korro Bio is seeking an experienced Senior Scientist to lead our HTS-NGS team in support of our oligonucleotide platform and portfolio projects. This is a hybrid leadership and hands-on role that requires a combination of scientific expertise, team management, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate brings deep technical knowledge in high-throughput cell assays and NGS workflows, along with leadership experience, to lead a key workflow in the identification of RNA editing therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of scientists performing in vitro biological screening and NGS-based characterization of oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Set team priorities, coordinate workloads, and ensure timely, high-quality delivery against corporate milestones.
• Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture with a focus on scientific rigor and operational excellence.

Assay Development & Optimization

• Design, develop, and optimize end-to-end molecular biology and NGS workflows, including amplicon-seq and RNA-seq.
• Establish and maintain robust high-throughput cell-based assay platforms in 96- and 384-well formats, including transfection protocols.
• Apply systematic troubleshooting approaches to resolve technical challenges and continuously improve assay performance.

Automation & Technology Integration

• Lead the design, troubleshooting, and qualification of automated liquid handling workflows to maximize throughput and reproducibility.
• Evaluate and implement new instrumentation and technologies to enhance the capabilities of the HTS-NGS platform, eventually developing a fully automated system.
• Oversee QC instrumentation usage and data integrity across the team (Qubit, TapeStation, Fragment Analyzer).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Chemistry, Data Science, and Biology teams to align assay outputs with downstream analytical needs and project objectives.
• Communicate results clearly and proactively to stakeholders across functions, including through written reports and presentations.

Operational & Data Management

• Champion LIMS adoption and data quality standards using Benchling.
• Utilize project management tools (e.g. Jira / Confluence) to track progress, manage timelines, and communicate status.

Required Qualifications

• PhD with 4+ years, MS with 12+ years or equivalent industry experience in cell biology, molecular biology, genomics, or a related field.
• Prior experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical environment is required.
• Demonstrated track record of managing scientists to achieve research and operational goals.
• Hands-on expertise with cell culture in 96- and 384-well formats, including transfection methodologies.
• Comprehensive end-to-end NGS experience: amplicon-seq, RNA-seq, library preparation, QC, and sequencing run execution. Expertise with Illumina sequencing platforms preferred (MiSeq).
• Expertise in core molecular biology techniques: RNA/DNA isolation, PCR/qPCR, and gel electrophoresis.
• Experience with liquid handling automation systems, including Viaflo 96/384, HiRes/Certus Flex, and/or Tempest.
• LIMS experience, preferably with Benchling.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to data quality and scientific reproducibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex technical information for diverse audiences.
• Collaborative team player who thrives in a dynamic, cross-functional biotech environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with project management tools such as Jira and Confluence.
• Familiarity with QC instrumentation: Qubit, TapeStation, and Fragment Analyzer.
• Experience with screening siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, or similar constructs a strong plus.

$160,000 - $180,000 a year

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.