---
title: 'Senior Scientist, Organoid at Conception'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-scientist-organoid-conception-berkeley-4gja9rq9v90n'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-15'
---

# Senior Scientist, Organoid at Conception

- **Company:** Conception
- **Location:** Berkeley, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-05-12
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Conception/67f0add0-39f4-4bfc-a2b0-c9dbd9347176/application

**Skills:** Organoid microenvironment manipulation, Tissue engineering, Differentiation protocols, Bioengineering of tissue, Model system setup, Sequencing data interpretation, SmartSeq2, Single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, EM-seq, Reproductive biology, Ovarian development, Germ cell lifecycle

> Conception is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead the development and optimization of 3D organoid model systems for reproductive biology. The role involves designing differentiation protocols, mentoring scientists, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance fertility and reproductive health research.

## Job description

Senior Scientist, Organoid and Tissue Systems

Experience level: PhD plus postdoctoral training or equivalent industry experience (typically 3+ years post-PhD).

## About Conception

Conception is pioneering the future of reproductive biology by generating functional human eggs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Our work combines stem cell biology, cell engineering, developmental biology, tissue engineering, and computation to recreate the key stages of human ovarian development in the lab. We recently shared that we have, for the first time, [generated early human egg cells and follicles entirely from stem cells](https://www.conception.bio/science-and-updates/the-first-early-human-eggs-from-stem-cells). The next major challenge is to support those fully stem cell-derived follicles through growth and maturation. We are building a world-class scientific team to solve this problem and create new possibilities for fertility and reproductive health.

The position We are seeking an exceptionally strong, hands-on senior scientist to help drive the development of advanced 3D tissue and organoid systems. The strongest candidates will have personally built new differentiation, organoid, or complex multicellular culture systems and worked through the biological and technical challenges required to improve their fidelity, maturation, function, and reproducibility. Direct reproductive biology experience is not required. We are excited about scientists who have built difficult systems in other tissues and can bring new approaches to ovarian biology.

In this role, you will lead the development of advanced stem-cell-derived ovarian tissue systems central to Conception’s mission. You will work across developmental biology, cell-cell interactions, tissue organization, the cellular microenvironment, matrix and mechanics, signaling, metabolism, computation, and culture design to build systems that more faithfully recapitulate human ovarian biology.

## What you’ll do

- Own the scientific strategy and day-to-day development of our ovarian organoid and follicle niche systems
- Design and build new differentiation and tissue engineering approaches that support follicle formation, growth, maturation, and oocyte competence
- Identify the main biological and technical bottlenecks, prioritize the highest-value experiments, and systematically improve the system
- Establish quantitative, stage-specific, and functional readouts that distinguish meaningful biological progress from marker expression alone
- Remain deeply hands-on and close to the cultures, experiments, and data
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate complementary approaches and advance shared scientific goals
- Mentor and develop scientists while setting a high bar for rigor, documentation, pace, and scientific thinking
- Help build a team culture grounded in curiosity, urgency, flexibility, technical excellence, and transparency

## What we will provide

You will build from a strong scientific foundation, including advanced stem-cell-derived ovarian tissue systems, extensive internal datasets, and human reference biology. You will work closely with a strong cross-functional team across stem cell biology, developmental biology, reproductive biology, computation, and engineering.

We will provide the resources and flexibility to test new approaches, bring in the right tools and collaborators, and build additional expertise around the program as it grows. You will have direct support from scientific and company leadership and meaningful ownership over the direction of the work.

## What we’re looking for

- PhD in a relevant field, plus postdoctoral training or equivalent industry experience
- Strong track record of personally building or substantially improving complex organoid, tissue, or differentiation systems
- Deep understanding of cell-cell interactions and how the microenvironment shapes tissue development and function
- Exceptional hands-on troubleshooting and experimental judgment
- Ability to set scientific direction, prioritize clearly, and turn complex data into actionable next steps
- Clear communicator who is highly organized, keeps strong records, and works well across teams
- Strong work ethic and willingness to stay close to the bench, including routine work when needed
- Able to learn quickly and work effectively in a fast-moving startup environment
- Experience in reproductive biology, ovarian development, or germ cell biology is a plus

## Why join us

- Impact: Own one of Conception’s most critical preclinical programs, with the potential to transform human reproduction
- Growth: Develop and lead a small team and expand scope as the program scales
- Community: Work alongside passionate scientists tackling one of the most exciting frontiers in biology with a deeply aligned team
- Mission: Build the biological foundation for a new era of reproductive medicine, expanding what is possible for millions of people and families with limited options today

Come and work with us We are well funded and well connected in Silicon Valley. We offer competitive pay, company equity, and excellent healthcare benefits for these positions. ‍To learn more about the original mouse proof of concept to live birth that inspired us, seehttps://www.nature.com/articles/nature20104

## About Conception

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Conception is a biotechnology company developing in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG) technology to create functional human egg cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), aiming to expand reproductive options for people facing biological or medical fertility limits.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed / Venture-backed)
- **Headquarters**: Berkeley, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: Matt Krisiloff (CEO), Pablo Hurtado (CSO), Bianka Seres (COO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Biotechnology Research, Reproductive Medicine, Stem Cell Biology
- **Target customers**: B2B / B2C (clinical); primarily focused on R&D and regulatory pathways toward eventual clinical application for individuals with fertility challenges (e.g., cancer survivors, age-related infertility, genetic disease carriers, same-sex couples)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Advancing the future of fertility" — Conception combines stem cell biology and engineering to create new possibilities for having children.

## Products & Services
- **In-Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG) Platform**: A proprietary technology platform that converts a patient’s blood or skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), then guides those cells through the stages of development to produce fully mature, functional human eggs. This involves:
    - **High-throughput genetic screens** to test conditions for cell development.
    - **Computer vision** for scoring cell quality and enabling rapid iteration.
    - **3D ovarian organoids** (mini-ovaries) that provide the biochemical cues needed for meiosis and follicle maturation.
- **Regulatory & Ethical Framework**: The company is developing IVG as a medical therapy within existing regulatory frameworks, with a stated commitment to rigorous safety and efficacy data before any clinical use.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (conflicting reports on total funding; ~$20M per LinkedIn, ~$40M per NPR). The company is privately held.
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding: $20M (LinkedIn) to ~$40M (NPR, 2023). Headcount: 42 employees (+17% YoY).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly named in available sources, but the company has completed a Convertible Note (2019), Seed Round (2020), and a Venture Round (2021) with multiple investors.
- **Growth Signals**: 
    - Headcount grew 17% year-over-year (42 employees).
    - Claims to be the first in the world to create human ovarian follicles in mini-ovaries (as of July 2023).
    - Active job postings: 3 (as of mid-2025), with a 200% monthly increase in job postings.
    - Expanding from 30+ scientists to a team of over 40.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Pioneering Technology**: Conception is one of the few companies globally (and claims to be the first) to demonstrate the creation of human ovarian follicles from stem cells, a critical step toward functional IVG.
- **Interdisciplinary Approach**: Combines stem cell biology, developmental biology, tissue engineering (3D organoids), and computation (high-throughput screening, computer vision) — a rare breadth of expertise.
- **Ethical Integration**: From day one, the company has built ethical safeguards into its research and actively engages with regulators, ethicists, and the public, positioning itself responsibly in a controversial field.
- **Talent Pool**: R&D team includes experts from top institutions (UC Berkeley, Illumina, UPSIDE Foods, Pfizer, University of Pennsylvania) and top biotech companies.

## Strategic Focus
- **Proof-of-Concept Eggs**: Near-term goal is to demonstrate that the follicles in their mini-ovaries can develop immature eggs into ones capable of being fertilized to make embryos (proof-of-concept human eggs).
- **Peer-Reviewed Publication**: The company is expected to publish its results in a scientific journal to validate claims and build credibility.
- **Regulatory Pathway**: Working within FDA and international regulatory frameworks to ensure safety and efficacy before clinical use.
- **Scale & Automation**: Building capabilities to scale the IVG process for eventual commercial application.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: Employees work on "one of the most ambitious problems in biology" — creating functional egg cells from stem cells, with the potential to reshape human reproduction and help millions of people.
- **World-Class Team**: Join a team of scientists and engineers from top institutions (UC Berkeley, Illumina, UPSIDE Foods, etc.) solving hard problems in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and computation.
- **Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly growing startup (42 employees, +17% YoY) with significant funding and a clear, ambitious roadmap.
- **Work Environment**: On-site in Berkeley, California (Berkeley, CA 94710). The culture emphasizes "work that outlasts a career" — tackling a long-term, fundamental challenge.
- **Notable Perks**: Not explicitly listed, but the company offers roles across scientist, senior scientist, associate scientist, and operations levels, indicating a collaborative, hands-on lab environment.

## Sources
1. [conception.bio](https://www.conception.bio/)
2. [LinkedIn - Conception](https://www.linkedin.com/company/conceptionbio)
3. [NPR - Startup aims to make lab-grown human eggs](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/15/1184298351/conception-human-eggs-ivg-ivf-infertility)
4. [LifeScienceHistory.com - Conception Bio](https://lifesciencehistory.com/companies/conception-bio/)
5. [Jobs.ashbyhq.com - Conception](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Conception)

## Other roles at Conception

- [Scientist, Stem Cell Biology](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-stem-cell-biology-conception-berkeley-dd1b4mrmhn3z) — Berkeley, CA
- [Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Stem Cell Biology](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-associate-scientist-stem-cell-biology-conception-6nkjfrjsjksc) — Berkeley, CA
- [Research Associate or Associate Scientist, Genome Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-or-associate-scientist-genome-engineer-conception-berkeley-y8tgtsrjrfpj) — Berkeley, CA
- [Senior Scientist, RNA Delivery](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-scientist-rna-delivery-conception-berkeley-2jhk55jwq3mw) — Berkeley, CA
- [General Application](https://feeny.ai/job/general-application-conception-berkeley-1jmfarrzq6hn) — Berkeley, CA