Research Assoc III, Stem Cell Lab (IPSC)Research Assoc III, Pre Clin

About the role

The Research Associate III position in the Stem Cell Lab (IPSC) within the SOM Center will provide technical infrastructure, operational integration, and specialized expertise to drive the development and optimization of organoid models of normal human tissues.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan, execute, and coordinate complex research activities involving human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture, characterization, differentiation, and organoid model development in support of the SOM Initiative.
• Direct one or more technical components of larger research projects, coordinating experimental activities and working closely with scientists and collaborating investigators to achieve project objectives.
• Develop, optimize, validate, and implement new iPSC culture, differentiation, organoid, and cell-based assay methodologies with an emphasis on reproducibility, scalability, and rigorous quality control.
• Establish and maintain standardized workflows and quality control criteria for iPSC lines, differentiated cell populations, and organoid models, including evaluation of cell identity, viability, phenotype, differentiation efficiency, and culture performance.
• Independently troubleshoot complex experimental and technical problems, evaluate experimental outcomes, and recommend modifications to protocols and workflows.
• Compile, analyze, interpret, and communicate experimental data and contribute to technical reports, research plans, presentations, manuscripts, SOPs, and other scientific documentation.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to research associates and other laboratory personnel and support training in specialized stem cell culture, assay, and quality control procedures.
• Support laboratory operations, including implementation of new technologies, evaluation and maintenance of specialized equipment, management of critical reagents and cell banks, and establishment of laboratory best practices.

Requirements

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, and molecular and cellular biology methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex laboratory experiments.
• Experience developing, optimizing, and validating experimental protocols and assays.
• Experience with experimental data analysis, interpretation, quality control, and scientific documentation.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to coordinate multiple experimental activities and priorities.
• Must possess basic Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience with human iPSC culture, maintenance, cryopreservation, characterization, and directed differentiation.
• Experience with somatic cell reprogramming and establishment and characterization of new human iPSC lines.
• Experience developing and optimizing organoid culture, 3D cell culture, or other advanced human in vitro model systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing, optimizing, validating, and standardizing stem cell differentiation protocols and cell-based assays.
• Experience establishing and implementing quality control criteria for human pluripotent stem cells and differentiated cell products.
• Experience with molecular and cellular characterization techniques including flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, fluorescence or high-content microscopy, qPCR, Western blotting, and related approaches.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of human pluripotent stem cells is desirable.
• Familiarity with developmental biology, regenerative medicine, cellular metabolism, mitochondrial biology, and/or metabolic regulation of cell fate.
• Experience with metabolic phenotyping approaches, including extracellular flux analysis, mitochondrial functional assays, metabolomics, or related techniques, is desirable.
• Experience contributing to scientific publications, presentations, technical reports, research plans, or proposals.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership, training laboratory personnel, and coordinating complex experimental workflows within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Benefits

• Pay and benefits are competitive.
• Health and Wellness programs.
• Income Protection.
• Paid Leave.
• Roth IRA.
• Retirement.

Pay and Benefits

The posted pay range for this job is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include, but are not limited to, responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data. The salary range posted is a full-time equivalent salary and will vary depending on scheduled hours for part time positions.