Scientist 3, Immunology and Ophthalmology, Sudharsan Lab

The Opportunity

The Sudharsan Lab in the Department of Immunology and Ophthalmology at Genentech is seeking a highly motivated, resilient, and curious Scientist 3 to drive the target identification, validation, and development of novel therapies for retinal diseases, with a strong focus on Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

As part of Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED), scientists bridge basic biology and translational drug discovery. In this role, you will design and execute research strategies using advanced retinal cellular systems to validate targets, elucidate disease mechanisms, and advance novel therapies. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to translate biological insights into therapeutic candidates and share your findings at internal forums and external conferences.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop human iPSC-derived retinal models (such as RPE and photoreceptors) and design cell-based assays to validate novel targets, study AMD pathogenesis, and evaluate therapeutic candidates.
• Quickly learn and implement new experimental workflows and analytical tools as project priorities evolve.
• Maintain rigorous experimental design, meticulous electronic lab records, and high standards of data reproducibility.
• Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams across the department and broader gRED functional areas.
• Communicate research findings clearly across internal project teams and at external scientific conferences.
• Who You Are
• Ph.D. in Stem Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Ophthalmology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Strong background in cell culture-based assay development, execution, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture, maintenance, and differentiation workflows.
• A strong track record of peer-reviewed publications in reputable scientific journals.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills with a proven ability to work effectively within large, cross-functional group settings.
• A strong desire and enthusiasm to learn and integrate new experimental techniques, assays, and analytical tools.
• Preferred: Direct research experience in retinal cell biology, ocular tissue models, or specialized research in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) or inherited retinal degenerations.
• Experience with gene editing approaches and/or omics technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, or proteomics).
• Experience with 3D retinal organoids, multi-cell co-culture systems, or advanced tissue engineering platforms.
• Familiarity with target engagement assays, high-throughput screening, or translational pipeline workflows.
• Relocation benefits are available for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $103,400 to $192,000.  Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.  A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.  This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.