Associate Research Scientist (high - throughput Perturbations)

Job Opportunity At Columbia University

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.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.