"Associate Research Scientist (High-Throughput Perturbations)"

Job Summary

Join our interdisciplinary team to design and execute large-scale pooled CRISPR and Perturb-seq screens that close knowledge gaps identified by AI tools.

Core responsibilities

• Develop and optimize pooled CRISPR-knockout, CRISPRi/a or base-editing libraries in primary tumor and immune cell lines
• Integrate single-cell read-outs with custom barcoding and multiplexing strategies
• Coordinate with software teams to stream raw data into real-time agent analysis loops and feed validated results back into model re-training cycles
• Maintain rigorous QC, automation, and data-management pipelines; co-author manuscripts and mentor trainees

Environment & Application

Appointment jointly housed in Columbia’s Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science. You will collaborate daily with a diverse team of AI researchers, computational biologists, clinicians, and bioengineers who share a mission of transforming our understanding of metastatic progression through next-generation AI and experimental platforms.

Required qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Genomics, or related field (candidates with exceptional M.S. + extensive screen experience will be considered)
• Demonstrated track record running high-throughput CRISPR screens and downstream single-cell library prep
• Familiarity with NGS, flow-based cell sorting, and standard mammalian tissue-culture techniques
• Competence in scripting (Python/R) for basic data processing; willingness to learn advanced analytics

Preferred extras

Experience with co-culture systems, organoid or organ-on-chip assays
Knowledge of statistical design of experiments, multiplexed imaging or spatial-omics

How to Apply

Please send a single PDF containing a cover letter, CV, links to code/publications, and contact information for three references to Prof. José McFaline-Figueroa (jm5200@columbia.edu) with the position title in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran