---
title: 'Analytical Scientist at 5AM Ventures'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/analytical-scientist-5am-ventures-emeryville-k3x9xbq6x83r'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Analytical Scientist at 5AM Ventures

- **Company:** 5AM Ventures
- **Location:** Emeryville, CA
- **Compensation:** $140k–$170k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-06-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/5amventures/b75f47cb-9764-4f20-8040-5dac01fd29b3

## Job description

We are seeking an experienced, highly quantitative scientist to lead bioanalytical strategy and quality control across a diverse portfolio of peptide, protein, and small molecule therapeutics. This individual will define analytical approaches, oversee external CROs, and ensure that all data generated are accurate, reproducible, and decision-grade. This role is ideal for someone who combines deep knowledge of bioanalytical methods with a strong QC mindset and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex analytical challenges across multiple assay platforms.

## Qualifications

- PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or related field
- 8–15+ years of relevant experience in biotech, pharma, or CRO environments
- Demonstrated expertise in bioanalytical method development, validation, and data interpretation within a quality management system (i.e. GLP / GMP)
- Strong understanding of both:
- Instrumental analysis as applied to drug substance drug product characterization
- Experience overseeing and critically evaluating CRO-generated data
- Working knowledge of GLP / GMP analysis and regulatory expectations (e.g., ICH Q2(R2))
- Solid grounding in chemical kinetics and interpretation of concentration–time rate data

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in the development, qualification, and transfer of stability-indicating analytical methods, execution of forced degradation studies, and support of stability programs.
- Experience across multiple molecular modalities (polymers, peptides, proteins, and, small molecules)
- Background in analytical development or QC for regulated products
- Experience supporting IND-enabling and early/late stage GMP method validation studies for clinical programs
- Familiarity with complex or long-acting drug delivery systems
- Own analytical strategy and method validation
- Define fit-for-purpose analytical approaches for drug substance / drug product, and mechanistic studies
- Select appropriate assay platforms (RP-HPLC/UPLC and SEC, LC-MS, colorimetry, pH, viscosity, osmolarity, endotoxin, bioactivity, and other common USP methods.)
- Validate methods that define our products critical quality attributes.
- Lead CRO oversight
- Design and manage outsourced bioanalytical studies
- Critically review assay development, validation, and sample analysis
- Identify deficiencies in methods, data quality, or interpretation and drive resolution
- Ensure quantitative rigor and data integrity
- Evaluate instrument calibration models, LLOQ, accuracy/precision, and assay robustness
- Detect and troubleshoot issues such as matrix effects, instability, adsorption, and assay interference
- Establish internal standards for data quality across programs
- Apply QC and regulatory principles
- Ensure methods and datasets meet GLP and regulatory expectations (e.g., ICH Q2(R2))
- Contribute to analytical sections of IND-enabling packages and regulatory filings
- Implement quality systems and documentation standards where needed
- Support cross-functional decision making
- Work closely with CMC, pharmacology, and clinical teams to interpret data correctly
- Provide clear recommendations based on quantitative evidence
- Write reports that enable cross-functional understanding of methods and results.
- Operate across modalities
- Apply consistent analytical thinking across polymers, peptides, biologics, and small molecules
- Ensure comparability and continuity of data across platforms and studies

We believe in building balanced teams. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

## About 5AM Ventures

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: 5AM Ventures is a life sciences venture capital firm that invests in early-stage therapeutic companies and incubates breakthrough science through its 4:59 Initiative.
- **Entity Type**: Private (venture capital partnership)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States (offices also in Boston, New York, and Menlo Park)
- **Founded**: 2002
- **Founders**: Not publicly listed on company website

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Venture capital / private equity, focused on life sciences (biopharmaceutical therapeutics, platform technologies, diagnostics)
- Target customers: Academic and entrepreneurial scientists seeking Series A funding; portfolio companies; institutional limited partners
- Mission statement: “Supporting companies that are working to solve important healthcare needs via cutting-edge breakthroughs in medicine and science.” [5amventures.com](https://5amventures.com/)

## Products & Services
5AM Ventures operates three investment strategies:
- **Venture Capital (5AM Ventures)**: Primarily Series A investments in private therapeutic companies, diversified across modalities and therapeutic areas. [5amventures.com](https://5amventures.com/)
- **Public Equity (5AM Opportunities)**: Investments in small and mid-cap public and late-stage private biotech and life science companies. [5amventures.com](https://5amventures.com/)
- **4:59 Initiative**: An internal incubation arm that discovers, incubates, and funds breakthrough science alongside academics and entrepreneurs, aiming to establish proof-of-concept data to enable a Series A financing. [5amventures.com](https://5amventures.com/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private firm)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue estimated at $5.5M (management fees), 28 employees as of 2025/2026 [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/5amventures)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: 5AM Ventures is itself a fund manager; its limited partners are institutional investors (not publicly listed). Recent portfolio highlights include MapLight Therapeutics ($372.5M Series D), GlycoEra ($130M), Renasant Bio ($54.5M seed), Fellow Health ($24M Series B), and Latigo Biotherapeutics ($150M Series B) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/5amventures)
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount decreased 6.7% YoY (28 employees); LinkedIn followers grew 13.8% annually to 25,281; active deal flow with multiple large financings in 2025.

## Competitive Advantages
- Deep scientific and medical expertise on the investment team (MDs, PhDs, venture partners with pharmaceutical backgrounds) [5amventures.com/team/](https://5amventures.com/team/)
- Hands‑on incubation model (4:59 Initiative) that de‑risks early science before external fundraising
- Long track record since 2002 with a diversified portfolio across therapeutic areas
- Strong network of co‑investors and syndicate partners (Khosla Ventures, Gilde Healthcare, etc.)

## Strategic Focus
- Continue to lead Series A rounds in innovative therapeutic companies
- Expand the 4:59 incubation pipeline (e.g., Prolynx, Renasant Bio, stealth companies)
- Grow the public equities strategy (5AM Opportunities) in small/mid‑cap biotech
- Invest across modalities (protein degraders, gene therapy, small molecules, diagnostics)

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & team**: Small, collaborative team of ~28 professionals with complementary scientific, operational, and financial backgrounds. The firm emphasizes a hands‑on, partnership‑driven approach.
- **Work policy**: Hybrid and remote options available for some roles (e.g., Machine Learning Engineer – remote possible; Analytical Scientist – on‑site in Emeryville; Principal Scientist – hybrid in Berkeley) [jobs.lever.co/5amventures](https://jobs.lever.co/5amventures)
- **Exposure**: Opportunity to work directly with leading scientists and entrepreneurs, participate in investment decisions, and support portfolio companies from seed to public markets.
- **Perks**: Involvement in the 4:59 incubation program offers a unique chance to shape new companies from the ground up. The firm notes that AI tools may be used in hiring, but final decisions are made by humans.
- **Employee reviews**: Mixed (1.9/5.0 on LinkedIn, with low work‑life balance and compensation scores) – candidates should weigh this against the innovative nature of the work.

## Sources
1. [5amventures.com](https://5amventures.com/)
2. [5amventures.com/team/](https://5amventures.com/team/)
3. [jobs.5amventures.com](https://jobs.5amventures.com/)
4. [jobs.lever.co/5amventures](https://jobs.lever.co/5amventures)
5. [linkedin.com/company/5amventures](https://www.linkedin.com/company/5amventures)

## Other roles at 5AM Ventures

- [Director/Senior Director, Clinical Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/director-senior-director-clinical-operations-5am-ventures-remote-ne6fke3apmk7)
- [Machine Learning Engineer - Computational Drug Discovery](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-computational-drug-discovery-5am-ventures-watertown-7e7jp2z55crw) — Watertown, MA