Working at Arda
Arda is developing therapeutics to eliminate the pathogenic cells that drive chronic diseases and aging. We are located in the San Francisco Bay Area and backed by Andreessen Horowitz, GV, The Longevity Fund, Village Global, Axial, NJF and others. Our mission is clear, our commitment is strong, and our expectations are high. Come build with us.
What we value
Rigor
Decisions are based on data. Persuasive arguments are built from evidence and logic, not from authority or wishful thinking. Truth is paramount.
Impact
We measure outputs, not inputs. In other words, we’re more interested in what you achieve than how long you spend doing it. We think carefully about where to put our goalposts, and once placed, we drive toward them with zeal. Value comes from what you contribute, not just what’s on your resume.
Realistic Optimism
We approach our work with a positive, can-do attitude, ready to tackle any challenge with enthusiasm. At the same time, we're clear-eyed about the obstacles we face. We don’t sugarcoat the difficulties ahead, but instead, we harness our optimism to fuel creative solutions and keep moving forward. We believe in our ability to make a difference, while staying grounded in the reality of the tasks at hand.
Information Flow
Information is as crucial to us as blood is to the body—it needs to flow freely or things start to go wrong. We actively promote a high information accessibility culture; our default is to make each piece of business and scientific information accessible to everyone at the company. People make better decisions and find more fulfillment in their work when they have context, and we pride ourselves on both our dedication to transparency and our commitment to recording and organizing information so that it can be understood and used by others.
Adaptability
We jump in where we’re needed, not just where we’re assigned. Flexibility is our superpower - whether it’s our job on paper or not, we’re all about tackling challenges together. We mix skills, swap hats, and get stuff done, strengthening our team one solution at a time.
Grit
Doing science means being wrong, a lot. We value progress over perfection, embracing challenges as an opportunity for growth. Our resilience is fortified by continuous, purposeful efforts to enhance our skills and knowledge. We persevere.
Current Openings
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The Role
As a Senior Scientist, you will drive the discovery phase of multiple programs within Arda's pipeline, generating data packages that inform clear next steps. This is an opportunity to shape the company from the beginning: your input will be essential to Arda's strategy, process, and culture. The experience you gain in this role is a rare commodity that will establish you as an operator and builder.
Beyond exciting science, you’ll have enough equity to be a true stakeholder in the company, a competitive salary and benefits, a flexible time off policy so you can be at your best while you’re working, and enthusiastic support from the other members of our inclusive, world-class team.
In this role, you will:
Develop and execute Arda's experimental strategy in multiple indication areas
Be a leader in the lab by designing and executing in vitro pharmacology allowing progression of Arda’s Ab pipeline (binding, activity, cytotoxicity assays etc…).
Develop disease-relevant, cell- and tissue-based assays
Engineer and characterize cell lines overexpressing and downregulating targets of interest.
Design and implement multi-stage experimental plans to identify and validate cell surface targets across multiple indications.
Develop RNA- and protein-based platforms to characterize target expression profiles in cells and tissues
Generate clear, comprehensive in vitro pharmacology and translational science data packages that inform decision-making and prepare for IND filing
Keep abreast of new technology and add useful assays to Arda's toolbox
Recruit and mentor junior scientists and research associates
Build valuable relationships with consultants, advisors, collaborators, and clinicians
Qualifications
You have earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences or related discipline with at least 5 years drug discovery experience in a Biotech or Pharma.
Your substantial wet lab experience includes: cell line engineering, FACS, western blotting, immunohistochemistry/fluorescence, ELISA, bulk and single-cell library preparation, in vitro pharmacology.
You have industry experience working on therapeutic antibody characterization, ideally modalities directed at eliminating cells (antibody-drug conjugates, T cell engaging bispecifics, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity)
You have contributed to investigator brochures or IND application as an in vitro pharmacology or cell biology functional lead.
You have a good understand of, and hands-on experience with, modern single cell characterization techniques
You have deep biological expertise related to antibodies and immunotherapy, fibrosis and/or chronic inflammation
You excel at leading and managing drug discovery projects from inception to conclusion
You are meticulous, organized, and pride yourself on leading by example in the lab
You have excellent communication skills and take personal satisfaction in producing clear presentations and electronic notebook entries that enable decision-making.
Nice-to-have: experience with data analysis tools such as FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, and programming languages such as Python and R.
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The Role
As a Scientist, you will drive the discovery phase of multiple programs within Arda's pipeline, generating data packages that inform clear next steps. This is an opportunity to shape the company from an early stage: your input will be essential to Arda's strategy, process, and culture. The experience you gain in this role is a rare commodity that will establish you as an operator and builder.
Beyond exciting science, you’ll have enough equity to be a true stakeholder in the company, a competitive salary and benefits, a flexible time off policy so you can be at your best while you’re working, and enthusiastic support from the other members of our inclusive, world-class team.
In this role, you will:
Develop and execute Arda's in vivo and ex vivo capabilities in multiple indication areas, with an initial focus on fibrosis models
Be a leader in the lab by designing and executing in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro pharmacology assays allowing progression of Arda’s biologics pipeline (flow cytometry, gene expression and protein analysis, pharmacokinetics, imaging, etc)
Develop disease-relevant, cell- and tissue-based assays (e.g. precision cut tissue slice assays)
Design and implement multi-stage experimental plans to identify and validate cell surface targets across multiple indications
Develop protein- and RNA-based platforms to characterize target expression profiles in cells and tissues
Generate clear, comprehensive in vitro pharmacology and translational science data packages that inform decision-making and prepare for IND filing
Keep abreast of new technology and add useful assays to Arda's toolbox
Qualifications
You have earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences or related discipline with at least 3 years drug discovery experience in a Biotech or Pharma.
Your substantial wet lab experience includes: designing, validating, and executing preclinical in vivo and ex vivo fibrosis models, particularly bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and precision cut lung slice models. You also have experience with tissue dissociation and processing, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence, ELISA, bulk and single-cell library preparation, and in vitro pharmacology.
You have industry experience working on therapeutic antibody characterization, ideally modalities directed at eliminating cells (antibody-drug conjugates, T cell engaging bispecifics, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity)
You have deep biological expertise related to fibrosis and/or chronic inflammation
You are meticulous, organized, and pride yourself on leading by example in the lab
You have excellent communication skills and take personal satisfaction in producing clear presentations and electronic notebook entries that enable decision-making.
Nice-to-have: experience with data analysis tools such as FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, and programming languages such as Python and R.
Send us your CV and cover letter: apply now!
