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Salary: USD 110,000 - 165,000 / annual
Basecamp Research is building frontier AI for therapeutic design, combining machine learning with biology to create cell and gene therapies, enzymes, and peptides. The company's EDEN models are trained on BaseData, the world's largest proprietary genomic dataset with over 10 billion genes collected across 30+ countries. Recently closed a $140M Series C led by S32 with participation from NVIDIA, Anthropic's Anthology Fund, and others. The company has offices and labs in London and Boston.
The Senior Scientist, Peptide Discovery role reports to the Head of Gene Editing and Early Discovery and is responsible for experimental validation of AI-generated peptide candidates across multiple therapeutic programs including antifungal, antimicrobial, and cardiometabolic peptides.
Key responsibilities include:
- Performing mammalian cell culture (HepG2, HEK293, CHO, receptor-expressing stable cell lines)
- Designing and executing cell-based cytotoxicity/viability assays in 96-well format
- Running hemolysis assays using red blood cells to assess membrane-disruptive toxicity
- Conducting cell permeability assays to evaluate peptide membrane interaction
- Supporting immunogenicity risk assessment including in silico T-cell epitope prediction and PBMC-based assays
- Running GLP-1R activation assays and cAMP accumulation assays in stable cell lines
- Supporting or establishing stable reporter/receptor cell lines through transfection and flow cytometry
- Generating and fitting dose-response curves for potency and safety endpoints
- Preparing peptide stock and working solutions from synthesized peptides
- Supporting fungal susceptibility assays (MIC-style) against pathogens like Candida and Fusarium
- Maintaining detailed lab notebooks and contributing to data summaries and reports
- Collaborating with computational/AI teams to relay results informing peptide down-selection
- Independently designing cell-based assay strategies and proposing follow-on testing; mentoring junior staff and setting assay development priorities
Requirements:
- PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, bioengineering, or related life sciences field; or MSc with equivalent hands-on laboratory experience
- Strong, demonstrated hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture including aseptic technique, cell line maintenance, and viability/cytotoxicity assays
- Expertise in flow cytometry using antibody panels and fluorescent reporters
- Experience with cell-based functional/signaling assays (cAMP, GPCR activation, reporter gene assays); GLP-1R experience is a strong plus but not required if transferable GPCR assay experience exists
- Basic familiarity with microbial/fungal handling or willingness to be trained
- Ability to work independently on multi-step, multi-day assay timelines
- Experience with hemolysis assays or peptide membrane-toxicity screens
- Knowledge of assays tracking peptide half-life in human serum, plasma, or simulated physiological fluids
- Experience with permeability/barrier models or membrane permeabilization assays
- Experience with immunogenicity risk assessment tools including in silico epitope prediction and PBMC-based assays
Advantageous skills include: direct GLP-1R/incretin receptor assay experience, Biacore (SPR) testing, peptide handling/reconstitution, high-throughput screening exposure, antifungal susceptibility testing, mechanism-driven mindset, gene editing tools knowledge, technical savvy with modern software and AI tools, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proactive problem-solving, adaptability to ambiguity and rapid change, and high ownership over work quality.
