Research Associate

Research Associate
Duration: 6 months
Location: Lexington, MA
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm (may require occasional evening/weekend work)

Job Overview:

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Research Associate to join our client's team in Lexington, MA. In this role, you will provide technical support for multiple projects focused on the use of human in vitro models in high-throughput functional assays. You will work closely with scientists in a laboratory environment, contributing to research efforts that advance our understanding of human cell lines, cell model engineering, and in vitro screening.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct lab-based studies in collaboration with scientists, supporting project goals and helping to optimize workflows for cell model engineering and in vitro screening.
• Perform tissue culture work with human cell lines and contribute to the development of protocols for cell culture and model optimization.
• Support the creation and sharing of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and foster cross-functional teamwork.
• Engage in effective communication with colleagues and leadership to ensure the timely and efficient completion of projects.
• Provide laboratory technical support and troubleshooting to ensure smooth operation of experiments and assays.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology) with 3-5 years of post-degree experience; industry (CRO, pharmaceutical, biotech) experience is preferred.
• Required Skills:
• Proficiency in tissue culture, including strong aseptic technique, BSL2 stewardship, and troubleshooting.
• Experience working with scientists to follow and execute complex protocols.
• Familiarity with basic molecular biology techniques and common laboratory reagents.
• Experience with automated laboratory equipment and understanding of high-throughput data production.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Preferred Skills:
• Experience in cell engineering (cloning, recombinant DNA, functional genomics).
• Experience with iPSC, ESC, or pluripotent stem cell culture.
• Propagation and manipulation of iPSC cultures, in vitro genome engineering, advanced cellular imaging, and high throughput data collection are a plus.
• Comfort with proactive communication and cross-cultural understanding.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work with human cell lines, recombinant DNA, hazardous chemicals, and bloodborne pathogens in a laboratory setting.
• Some flexibility in work hours may be required, including occasional morning, evening, or weekend hours.

Additional Notes:

• Industry experience is preferred; Pharma experience is a plus.
• You must have job-related tissue culture experience and a strong foundation in aseptic technique.
• Must have a passion for learning and contributing to improving patient well-being.