Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Nonclinical

The role

This scientist will select, develop, and optimize assays to measure tRNA activity and efficacy. They will design, execute, and analyze data to support platform expansion and early-stage programs.

What you will do

• Design, optimize, qualify, validate, and implement cell-based assays
• Execute in vitro assays and process in vitro and in vivo samples
• Conduct biochemical assays to support clinical and nonclinical biomarkers
• Document experiments in the electronic laboratory notebook
• Perform mammalian cell culture, cell line characterization, and cell line development
• Perform molecular and cellular assays including PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental results
• Contribute to SOP development and manage reagents and inventory
• Manage multiple studies in parallel
• Collaborate with team members and cross-functional partners

Required qualifications

• BS or MS in biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or a related field
• Minimum BS with 4+ years or MS with 2+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in academia, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical industry
• Strong experience in mammalian cell culture, including primary cells and cell lines
• Experience with cell line characterization and development
• Hands-on experience with DNA/RNA delivery methods such as transfection, lentiviral or AAV transduction, electroporation, or LNP-based delivery
• Experience with PCR, qPCR/RT-qPCR, and molecular cloning
• Experience with Western blot/Jess
• Experience with Immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF)
• Experience with luciferase/bioluminescence assays
• Experience with flow cytometry
• Experience designing and optimizing cell-based assays for drug discovery
• Ability to analyze data using appropriate statistical methods

Nice to have

• Stem cell experience
• Experience working with RNA therapeutics, including mRNA, siRNA, or antisense oligonucleotides
• Experience culturing primary human hepatocytes, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), or iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells
• Experience with high-content imaging, IncuCyte, or confocal microscopy
• Experience with genetic manipulation using CRISPR or other genome-editing approaches
• Experience developing disease-specific cellular assays
• Experience with ligand-binding assays and multiplex immunoassay platforms, such as MSD or Luminex

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage
• Annual incentive program
• Retirement benefits
• Broad range of other benefits

About the company

Alltrna is a clinical-stage biotech company advancing tRNA medicines to address shared disease-causing mutations. Founded in 2018 by Flagship Pioneering, the company has built an integrated platform to design, optimize, and deliver engineered tRNA therapeutics.