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We are a vibrant and intensely mission-driven team in San Francisco, comprising members from MIT, Harvard Medical School, Roche, ETH, and Dana-Farber.
We value speed and rigor, coupled with excitement, drive, and a strong work ethic. In an early-stage environment, we value people who can bring clarity to open-ended problems, take ownership of the next steps, and follow through with energy.
Capable Labs is a place for ambitious, high-integrity people who want to become dramatically better. You will be surrounded by people who care intensely about the work, get close feedback from the people making scientific and company-defining decisions, and have room to own increasingly important problems.
We believe excellent work should be met with meaningful reward, ownership, and trust. Responsibility is earned through contribution, not title alone: anyone who demonstrates the judgment, rigor, and follow-through to move important work forward can earn meaningful scope.
About the Role
You will run peptide-synthesis workflows on a dedicated night-shift schedule so compounds are ready for characterization, biological testing, or handoff the next day. You will own careful overnight execution, troubleshoot issues independently, maintain complete records, and give the day team a clear account of every batch, result, and open question.
Responsibilities
Execute overnight peptide synthesis workflows, including resin loading, coupling and deprotection cycles, cleavage, purification, characterization, and sample preparation.
Run microwave-assisted solid-phase peptide synthesis and support routine synthesizer maintenance during night-shift hours.
Troubleshoot failed couplings, low crude purity, side products, cleavage issues, and instrument downtime.
Purify and characterize candidates using analytical HPLC, prep HPLC, LC-MS, and related methods.
Record identity, purity, yield, analytical traces, and batch-level quality-control data for morning handoff.
Prepare compounds for in vitro and in vivo testing and maintain accurate experimental records.
Provide clear handoffs covering completed work, failures, results, sample locations, risks, and follow-up actions.
Ideal Qualifications
Able and willing to work the designated night-shift schedule reliably and operate independently when needed.
Hands-on chemistry or biochemistry laboratory experience and strong experimental discipline.
Interest in owning the overnight synthesis workflow from reaction execution through purification, characterization, documentation, and sample handoff.
A fast, rigorous, and safety-conscious approach to laboratory work.
Proactive judgment when an instrument breaks, a synthesis fails, data look unusual, or a handoff needs clarification.
Experience with solid-phase peptide synthesis, HPLC, prep HPLC, or LC-MS is valuable, but we can teach specific workflows.
Pay & Benefits
In addition to the posted salary range, we offer generous equity options.
Compensation will depend on the skills, experience, and scope of impact you bring. If your background, experience, or compensation needs fall outside this range, we are still open to a conversation based on the scope and impact you could bring.
$500+ monthly wellness budget for training, supplements, coaching, recovery, or other tools that help you perform at your best.
Healthcare: We offer a broad range of medical, dental, and vision coverage options, with Capable covering 100% of the base policy.
You will also have access to HSA, FSA, and 401K plans.
Healthy dinners with the team are provided daily.
We support visa sponsorship where appropriate, including O-1, H-1B, J-1, TN, and other employment-based pathways. Our team is already international, with members from Canada, Pakistan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, China, India, and the United States.
Application Process
Our process is fast, transparent, and personal. We care about getting to know the person behind the application.
Initial application
First phone screen
Second phone screen
In-person work trial in San Francisco: designed to give both sides a realistic sense of working together. Get to know the founding team!
Apply Today
Curious but not sure? Apply anyway. It takes 5 minutes, and you do not need to be actively job searching to start a conversation.
Some of the best people do not map perfectly to a job description. If this sounds like a place where you could do important work, we would like to hear from you.
And if someone exceptional comes to mind, send them our way here. We read every referral carefully, and if your referral joins Capable, we’ll send you a thank-you bonus.
Equal Opportunity
Capable is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Capable is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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