About Preventive

Preventive is a public benefit corporation developing next‑generation reproductive‑genetics platforms to eliminate severe genetic disease at its origin. Our mission is to determine whether the newest generation of gene editing technologies can be used safely and responsibly to correct devastating genetic conditions for future children. If proven to be safe, we believe preventive gene editing could be one of the most important health technologies of the century.

About the Role

Preventive is hiring a bench-focused Scientist to own in-house NGS library preparation and sequencing for complex, ultra-low-input samples across multiple species. You will be responsible for taking samples and turning them into high-quality sequencing data through careful library prep, QC, pooling, and instrument operation.

This role is primarily wet-lab and operations-focused (library prep, method optimization, and running instruments) but ability to QC and analyze generated data is a plus. You’ll help implement and scale specialized assays for safety/off-target profiling and epigenetic characterization.

Key Responsibilities

Assay onboarding & optimization

• Stand up new assays from protocols/papers/vendor kits, including controls and benchmarks.
• Implement and refine methylation, off-target, and single-cell/low-input RNA-seq workflows for very small and multi-species samples.
• Write and update concise SOPs and checklists for new assays.

NGS library prep & sequencing

• Run end-to-end NGS workflows from sample intake through library prep, QC, pooling, and sequencing (primarily Illumina).
• Prepare and QC DNA/RNA libraries, including low-input and custom libraries, and accurately track samples/barcodes.
• Operate and troubleshoot sequencers; manage run schedules and basic run QC.

Quality & lab operations

• Coordinate sample and run prioritization with project leads and communicate status/QC clearly.
• Maintain instruments and NGS reagents/consumables; keep clean, organized records.
• Package data and QC metrics for handoff to computational collaborators.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

• BS or MS in molecular biology, genetics, bioengineering, or a related field (we care more about your experience than your exact degree).
• 3–5+ years of hands-on molecular biology and NGS experience
• Strong NGS library prep skills, including: DNA/RNA extraction, library construction, PCR/qPCR, and nucleic-acid QC.
• Experience troubleshooting low-input or complex libraries and improving yield/complexity.
• Excellent bench hygiene, attention to detail, and organized record-keeping.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving, cross-functional startup environment

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience bringing up at least one complex assay (e.g., methylation, off-target profiling, or single-cell/low-input RNA-seq).
• Experience with CRISPR off-target profiling methods
• Experience with epigenomic/chromatin assays
• Ability to perform basic NGS data analysis and QC
• Experience with very early developmental, embryonic, or gamete samples across species.
• Previous experience in a startup or similarly fast-paced environment.