Lead Research Associate, Services

About the role

We’re a well-funded start-up. You’ll get a chance to wear many hats, be a part of a growing team, and have the potential for exciting financial and career growth. Here’s what sets us apart. We’ve set our sights on some of the biggest challenges facing biology today. We’re amassing a world class team of engineers, scientists, team builders and problem solvers to tackle these challenges heads-on. We’re passionate about developing the next generation technologies that will unravel the complexities of biology. This is a unique opportunity to build, be part of an exciting start-up and be surrounded by good humans who are super capable, humble and down-to-earth.

Responsibilities

• Process samples end to end: prepare and assess cells, set up and monitor instrument runs, oversee automated library prep, and perform final library QC.
• Serve as technical point of contact and day-to-day owner for assigned service contracts, from sample receipt through library delivery.
• Coordinate daily run scheduling across samples, instruments, and staff; balance workflow across the shift.
• Train, onboard, and qualify Research Associates on protocols and instrumentation.
• Serve as first escalation point for RAs on shift for technical and workflow questions as well as troubleshooting.
• Make and document real time judgement calls on whether to continue, re-run, or hold a sample, and escalate appropriately.
• Support troubleshooting with the lab development and other internal teams.
• Help improve the existing process by providing feedback and ideas to the LIMS and lab development team.
• Onboard and execute new processes transferred from the development team as the menu expands.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Able to lift up to 20 lbs for approximately 15% of typical working day. Able to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
• Able to comply with personal protective equipment requirements.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in cell biology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a laboratory environment and hands-on experience with cell culture techniques and assays.
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or qualifying junior laboratory staff, or serving as a technical point of contact or shift lead.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols precisely.
• Experience with lab automation and LIMS; Hamilton a plus.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and communicate clearly with internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with both NGS library prep and mammalian cell culture.
• Prior experience in a commercial services, CRO, or otherwise deadline driven laboratory environment with defined turnaround time commitments.
• Experience authoring or revising SOPs and supporting assay tech transfer from development into routine operation.

Skills

Hands-on experience with both NGS library prep and mammalian cell culture.

Prior experience in a commercial services, CRO, or otherwise deadline driven laboratory environment with defined turnaround time commitments.

Experience authoring or revising SOPs and supporting assay tech transfer from development into routine operation.

Benefits

Comprehensive employment package that includes a competitive salary, generous stock options, great individual, and family health plans, a 401(k) and flexibility to balance work and life.

We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Please contact us to request accommodation.

Pay

The estimated base salary range for this position is $88,000 - $106,000/year.

Schedule

This role works a Wednesday through Sunday or Thursday through Monday schedule.