What are the responsibilities and job description for the Scientist / Senior Scientist position at Polyphron?
Scientist / Senior Scientist – Stem Cell Biology, Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine
Location: Long Island City, NY (On-site)
Summary:
Polyphron is building the world's first autonomous tissue foundry: a platform designed to engineer functional human tissues at scale for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and biological discovery. Our mission is to make human tissue reproducible, scalable, and manufacturable. By combining stem cell biology, tissue engineering, automation, and advanced cell characterization technologies, we develop human tissue systems that can serve both as therapeutic products and as powerful platforms for understanding biology. Our team engineers tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, including neuronal, cardiac, and hepatic tissues, using developmental biology, biomaterials, microphysiological systems, and translational research approaches. We are seeking an energetic, adaptable, and highly motivated scientist to help advance Polyphron's stem cell, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine programs. This position will report directly to the Head of Cell Biology and work closely with company leadership to advance Polyphron's regenerative medicine platform.
Responsibilities:
- Design, execute, and interpret experiments focused on stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.
- Lead development and optimization of human iPSC differentiation protocols.
- Drive cardiomyocyte differentiation and characterization programs.
- Support development of hepatic tissue platforms.
- Design and execute studies involving biomaterials, extracellular matrices, and engineered tissues.
- Lead studies utilizing organ-on-chip and microfluidic culture systems.
- Develop and implement cellular and molecular characterization assays including RT-qPCR, ELISA, immunostaining, flow cytometry, and advanced microscopy.
- Develop and implement imaging workflows, including live-cell imaging, time-lapse microscopy, and quantitative image analysis, to monitor cell behavior, differentiation, tissue organization, and functional outcomes
- Contribute to in vivo studies involving transplantation studies and myocardial infarction models, rodent handling, colony management, tissue collection, and data analysis.
- Maintain accurate experimental records and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs).
- Support inventory management, equipment maintenance, and laboratory organization.
- Analyze and present experimental data to internal and external stakeholders.
- Prepare technical reports, SOPs, study summaries, and scientific presentations.
- Participate in occasional weekend and holiday work as required to support cell culture, differentiation, animal studies, and other time-sensitive experimental activities
- Collaborate with CROs, collaborators, external partners and company leadership to achieve program milestones.
Qualifications:
- MS or PhD in Cell Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Tissue Engineering, Bioengineering, Regenerative Medicine, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Scientist level: typically 5–8 years of relevant research experience in academia and/or industry.
- Senior Scientist level: typically 8 years of relevant industry and/or research experience with demonstrated scientific leadership.
- Title and level will be commensurate with experience.
- Extensive experience with iPSC cell culture, including maintenance, characterization, and troubleshooting
- Experience with cardiomyocyte differentiation and characterization.
- Experience designing and executing complex experimental programs.
- Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques including RT-qPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunostaining, and microscopy.
- Experience with high-content imaging, live-cell imaging, time-lapse microscopy, and image analysis software
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced startup environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Industry experience in biotechnology, regenerative medicine, cell therapy, tissue engineering, or related fields.
- Cardiomyocyte tissue generation and characterization.
- Extracellular matrices and hydrogel-based culture systems.
- Organ-on-chip and microfluidic platforms.
- Rodent handling and preclinical studies.
Compensation and Benefits
- Polyphron offers a competitive compensation package including salary, equity participation, healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision), 401(k), and paid time off. Polyphron is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.