Scientist II

Thank you for your interest in our job posting! We're thrilled to see your enthusiasm and would love to explore this opportunity with you further.

To dive deeper into what this role can offer, feel free to reach out to me directly. You can connect with me, Chitrank Rastogi, on LinkedIn for a professional introduction.

If you prefer, you can also email me your updated resume at chitrank.rastogi@collabera.com, or simply give me a call at (425) 523-1648. I'd be happy to discuss how your skills and experiences align with our needs at your earliest convenience.

Pay Range - $50 to $55/hr. (negotiable)

Job Description:
Job Roles & Responsibilities:

What are the top 3-5 skills, experience or education required for this position?    

• Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, or a related field with 1-3 years of industry experience, OR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 3 years of industry experience.


• Expertise in mammalian cell culture (suspension and adherent cell lines, primary T cells) and multi-color flow cytometry (panel design, acquisition, and analysis using FlowJo) is required.


• Hands-on experience with immunological assays (e.g., ELISA, Luminex, cytotoxicity) is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and perform plate-based and cell-based assays (multi-color flow cytometry, Western blot, ELISA, etc.) to assess mRNA delivery and protein expression in mammalian cells using LNP systems.


• Design and perform high-throughput expression and functional screen/characterization assays for novel protein/mRNA candidates, using semi-automated instruments.


• Maintain meticulous records in an electronic lab notebook (ELN), draft standard operating procedures (SOPs), and present results at team meetings.


• Independently plan, execute, and interpret experiments, delivering data-driven insights aligned with project timelines and goals.


• Conduct molecular biology tasks, including cloning (e.g., PCR, golden gate, Gibson reactions, etc.), and optimize mRNA IVT protocols for yield and quality.


• Design, produce, and optimize lentiviral vectors, perform transduction experiments, and analyze results to advance research objectives.


• Stay current with advancements in genetic medicine, LNP technology, and molecular biology techniques to inform experimental design.


• Collaborate with antibody discovery/production teams to support pipeline projects and facilitate technology hand-offs.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, or a related field with 1-3 years of industry experience, OR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 3 years of industry experience.


• Expertise in mammalian cell culture (suspension and adherent cell lines, primary T cells) and multi-color flow cytometry (panel design, acquisition, and analysis using FlowJo) is required; Hands-on experience with immunological assays (e.g., ELISA, Luminex, cytotoxicity) is highly desirable.


• Experience with semi-automated liquid handling systems (e.g., Integra VIAFLO) for high-throughput workflows is highly preferred.


• Familiarity with data analysis tools (e.g., GraphPad Prism, FlowJo) is required; working knowledge with statistical and bioinformatics tools (python, R, etc.) is a plus.


• Basic understanding of immunology, cancer biology, or cell therapy applications is preferred; Prior experience in genetic medicine, CAR-T cell therapy, or RNA therapeutics is a strong plus.


• Basic knowledge of nucleic acid characterization (e.g., gel electrophoresis, qPCR), familiarity with molecular biology techniques, including cloning (e.g., Gibson assembly, PCR) and mRNA IVT (e.g., capping, purification), is a strong plus.


• Strong organizational and time-management skills with a proven ability to juggle multiple projects.


• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot assays and optimize protocols independently.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting data and collaborating with cross-functional teams.