Research Associate, Cell Engineering

Research Associate, Cell Engineering 

San Francisco, CA

Our Client is a non-profit organization that seeks transformative results in biomedicine and supports fundamental quantitative research in the biological sciences to improve healthcare worldwide. The organization fosters collaborations across biomedical and physical sciences, seeking to address pressing problems in biology and biomedicine. Motivated by problems of human disease, the organization is committed to investigating fundamental biological mechanisms, as solutions to many diseases have been revealed by unexpected discoveries in the basic sciences. 

This is a highly dynamic and collaborative institute, working to apply disease agnostic technology such as proteomics and functional genomics, as well as biochemistry, computational biology, bioinformatics, and drug development to unravel the molecular networks underpinning host-pathogen interactions and developing targeted therapeutics.

Our non-profit Client is looking for a Cell Engineering Research Associate to focus on utilizing cutting-edge CRISPR gene editing methods to support cell engineering projects that are part of a larger research platform designed to study disease biology at the cellular level and identify new therapeutic modalities. 

The ideal applicant has a strong technical background in CRISPR genome engineering and cell culture, with a passion for working with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment to deliver high quality results.

**NOTE: This role is a one-year renewable contract position as a W2 employee with the organization. Although it is a contract role, you will be eligible for the organization's pension program

What You'll Do:

• Utilize cutting-edge CRISPR gene editing methods for cell engineering projects that support the discovery platform and our Client’s research goals.
• Routine cell culture of mammalian cell lines.
• Help to continually improve cell engineering capabilities for a wide range of cell types, including immortalized cell lines, primary cells, and stem cells.
• Work collaboratively and maintain strong working relationships with both the cell engineering and research teams.
• Stay current on advances in the genome engineering and disease research fields, and present relevant findings during internal forums.
• Share your knowledge, expertise, and results by maintaining excellent team communication.

About You:

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or an appropriate scientific field, Required
• One or more years of recent, directly related work experience, utilizing the techniques or methods required by the position; and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture with excellent aseptic technique and proficiency in clonal isolation.
• Experience with current molecular biology methods (e.g., DNA extraction, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, cloning, DNA design software).
• Ability to independently perform routine molecular biology assays such as PCR, qPCR, nucleic acid extraction.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present relevant scientific findings to an audience of research scientists.
• Able to work independently and meet deadlines; recognize and resolve problems while maintaining a high level of organization.
• Highly adaptable with a friendly and collaborative work ethic.
• Experienced in cell culture of human iPSCs with proficiency in clonal isolation, preferred.
• Experience with automation platforms for use in cell engineering, preferred.
• Familiarity with sequencing (Sanger, NGS) method and their application, and biochemical assays (PCR, etc.) for quantifying CRISPR editing outcomes, preferred.
• Experienced in the use of CRISPR gene editing technology for generating gene knockouts and knock-ins (SNVs, gene tags, etc.) in human cell lines. Design of gene editing strategies is a plus.

The compensation for this role is $55,000 - $65,000

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000