Founding Scientist (Synthetic Genomics)

Exonic is a company that focuses on crowdsourcing drug discovery. The platform connects researchers and contributors to work together on identifying and developing new drug candidates. It provides tools and resources…

Location: San Francisco, CA
Company size: 2–10
Posted: 2d ago
Via: Yc

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Founding Scientist (Synthetic Genomics) · Exonic

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Job title: Founding Scientist (Synthetic Genomics)
Job location: San Francisco, CA, US
Job listing URL: https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/exonic/jobs/TknRQEX-founding-scientist-synthetic-genomics
Job description: **Exonic Biosciences · Dogpatch, San Francisco** **$120K–$180K a year + equity** Exonic is building AI systems for programmable biology. We train multimodal foundation models on large-scale biological datasets to design synthetic non-coding DNA. We experimentally validate our AI-designed systems in mammalian cells, with current applications in cell-type targeting and viral vector biomanufacturing. Our core focus is synthetic regulatory DNA. We have already generated strong in vitro cell-type targeting results and are expanding our internal experimental platform in San Francisco. We are looking for an ambitious experimental scientist to take ownership of Exonic’s wet-lab work and help push the platform into new directions. You would work directly with the founder as one of the first people in the company. **What you’ll work on** * Own and execute experimental validation of AI-designed regulatory DNA * Design and run cell-based assays for synthetic enhancer and expression systems * Help advance programs in cell-type targeting and AAV manufacturing * Help shape Exonic’s experimental roadmap as the company grows **Relevant experience** * Molecular biology, synthetic biology, regulatory genomics, or gene therapy * Mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays * Cloning, plasmid design, transfection, qPCR/ddPCR, sequencing, flow, luciferase, or related workflows * AAV biology/manufacturing experience is a major plus We care most about ownership, execution speed, and comfort with ambiguity. This is an early-stage role with autonomy, and the opportunity to build the biological engine of an AI-native synthetic DNA company. **Location:** San Francisco / MBC BioLabs

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Where this role is based

San Francisco, CA

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Exonic headquarters

San Francisco, CA

Company size

2–10 employees

Founded

2025

Total raised

$500,000

View company profile ↗

Funding rounds

Pre Seed$500KSep 1, 2025

Investors

Y Combinator

Industries

Software Companies