(Senior) Research Associate, Stem Cell Biology

About the role

Conception is pioneering the future of reproductive biology by generating functional human eggs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Our mission is to unlock new possibilities for fertility, reproductive health, and genetic diversity. We are building a world-class team at the intersection of stem cell biology, developmental biology, and reproductive biology to make this vision a reality.

What You’ll Do

• Build, optimize, and repeatedly execute workflows needed for stem-cell-derived reproductive cell development
• Derive, establish, expand, bank, and characterize iPSC & ESC lines
• Maintain high-quality ESC/iPSC cultures, document passage history and culture conditions, and support characterization and QC assays
• Troubleshoot protocols, improve reproducibility, and help maintain consistency across difficult and delicate workflows
• Establish epigenetic quality readouts
• Collaborate closely with stem cell, reproductive biology, embryology, genomics, and preclinical teams
• Execute technically demanding workflows with precision, timing, repetition, and consistency

What We’re Looking For

• PhD in stem cell biology, developmental biology, reproductive biology, cell biology, embryology, bioengineering, or a related field
• Ideal 4+ years of hands-on experience with human pluripotent stem cell culture, reproductive biology, or related technical workflows
• Direct experience with ESC/iPSC derivation, or ESC/iPSC line establishment is especially valuable
• Strong aseptic technique and experience maintaining sensitive, high-value cell lines
• Excellent attention to detail, reliability, and comfort with difficult, repetitive protocols that require precision and consistency
• Hands-on experience with ESC/iPSC expansion and banking, stem cell QC, 3D culture, organoid culture, co-culture systems, microdissection, micromanipulation, or long-duration tissue and cell culture workflows is highly desirable
• Strong work ethic and team-first mindset. Willing to do hands-on work, including routine and repetitive tasks, and step in wherever needed
• Able to thrive in a high-intensity, fast-paced, flexible startup environment

Why join us

• Impact: Help build the technical foundation for one of the most ambitious programs in reproductive biology
• Ownership: Take responsibility for difficult, high-value workflows and help make them reproducible and scalable
• Growth: Develop deep expertise in technically demanding reproductive and stem cell biology methods
• 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

Learn More

To learn more about the original mouse proof of concept to live birth that inspired us, see https://www.nature.com/articles/nature20104.