Senior Scientist, Early Discovery

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Overview

Hundreds of millions of human genomes and exomes are expected to be sequenced over the next decade, driven by steady innovations in sequencing technologies pioneered by Illumina. The enormous quantities of genomic data being generated by Illumina in collaboration with our partners worldwide represents a major opportunity to develop novel data-driven and artificial intelligence methods to extract clinically actionable information from the genome, and apply it towards improving human health.

Our Exceptional Multi-disciplinary Team Is Unlocking The Power Of The Genome

Illumina is the worldwide leader in genome sequencing and deriving insights on the impact of the human genome on health and disease. We are currently seeking a highly motivated and talented experimental scientist to lead a multi-disciplinary project working on experimental validation of novel drug targets directly identified from human genetics.

Illumina's leadership position in the generation and analysis of human genetic data enables us to pursue a unique human genetics-first approach to target discovery, supported by a multidisciplinary team of dedicated experimental scientists, statistical geneticists, and deep learning engineers working collaboratively to validate therapeutic hypotheses. We are looking for a highly innovative wet lab scientist to design, plan, and execute experiments in the laboratory in support of these early discovery efforts. The successful candidate is expected to pursue novel approaches to study a broad range of different disease indications using high throughput functional genomics strategies, with a focus on identification and validation of therapeutic targets and next-generation biomarkers.

Education requirements

• Ph.D in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, bioengineering, or similar degree

Required Experience and Skills

• Extensive expertise with genetic molecular biology techniques, with particular emphasis on development of high-throughput sequencing assays, single cell sequencing, CRISPR, cell culture and iPSC models, target identification, and target validation.

• Strong record of technical proficiency, innovation, and scientific rigor as demonstrated by publication in high-quality scientific journals.

• Experience with immunology or primary mammalian cell culture is highly preferred.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Position

• Develop the techniques and systems for running high-throughput sequencing experiments for target identification and validation.
• Design, develop and validate quantitative cellular assays to credential novel targets.
• Work closely with academic and clinical collaborators to integrate innovative biology with data from large-scale human genetics and high throughput sequencing assays to develop new target hypotheses.
• Present results at scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

About Us

The role is based at the Illumina Foster City campus, our purpose-built facility centrally located in the San Francisco Bay Area, between San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

At Illumina, you can expect a highly competitive salary accompanied by a market-leading benefits package. You will be part of the global leader in the DNA sequencing industry, where you will find robust growth opportunities and career development.

Our team members are bright, energetic, and dedicated - they are the driving force behind our innovation and impact. To attract the best and brightest, we offer a competitive employee benefits program. We view it as a smart investment in our people, one that recognizes the tremendous value they bring to our business every day. At Illumina, we push boundaries. We think beyond the conventional. We dream big. With the energy of so many bright and accomplished people, the opportunities are endless.

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Scientist, Early Discovery – Foster City, CA (San Francisco Bay Area) role based in the United States of America is: $111,000 - $166,600. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual's qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact To learn more, visit: The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants.