Research Associate II, Biology

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 Primary duties/responsibilities:                                                             

• Under general guidance, executes experiments and communicates results as part of multi-disciplinary team(s).

• Applies relevant scientific principles and techniques to research problems.

• Maintains detailed laboratory notebooks.

• Maintains knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and techniques.

• Ability to trouble shoot experiments -designing controls, generating interpretable data

• Presents findings internally and contributes to the publication of the work of the project team

• Contributes to the development of patent applications as appropriate.

• Complies with all safety requirements.

• Contributes to laboratory needs, such as stock room maintenance and ordering supplies

• Involved in general lab duties as assigned.

• Specific duties may also include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• •         Provides support for high throughput screening including the design of primary assays, the goal of which is the identification of additional hits and new chemical scaffolds.

• •         Supports lead optimization and SAR efforts by characterizing compound biological activity across biochemical and cell-based screening assays.

• •         Conducts mechanism-of-action (MoA) studies using cellular and biochemical methods to help elucidate compound activity and pathway engagement.

• •         Documents and communicate experimental results in ELN and partnering with cross-functional teams (e.g., chemistry, compound management) to inform next-round compound design and study decisions.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED                                 

• Human tissue culture experience

• Cell biology and Molecular biology

• Experience in RNA purification, qPCR and analysis

* Minimum level of education and years of relevant work experience.                                                                                  

• Bachelor’s degree in a Biology scientific discipline, preferably Biology, Biochemistry or Neuroscience  with 2+ years’ of relevant experience.

* Special knowledge or skills needed and/or licenses or certificates required.                                                                   

• Demonstrates technical proficiency, and the ability to collaborate with others on cross functional teams in a fast-paced, matrixed, environment consisting of internal and external team members.

• Possesses knowledge of scientific principles and concepts and keeps current with relevant scientific literature.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office- preferably MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.

• Effective verbal and written communication and skills.

• Analytical thinker with problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.

• Effective planning, organization and time management skills including the ability to support and prioritize multiple projects.

*Special knowledge or skills and/or licenses or certificates preferred.

• Working knowledge of standard molecular and cell biology techniques, with the ability to apply them in routine laboratory workflows.

• Demonstrated experience supporting screening workflows, including plate-based assays in 96- and 384-well formats, liquid handling, and hit confirmation/triage.

• Demonstrated experience with compound handling and dosing, including preparing DMSO stocks, performing serial dilutions, executing plate mapping, and analyzing concentration–response data.

• Proficiency with common discovery instrument platforms (e.g., plate readers, high-content imaging, flow cytometers), including basic upkeep and first-line troubleshooting.