Research Associate Lead

TheSenior Research Associate is a Lead role on the Professional Services laboratory team. This personwill be responsible for executing high-quality end-to-end workflows on the Cellanome R3200 platform and serves as the technical and day-to-day operational lead for a shift of Research Associates supportinga variety of concierge to large-scale commercial service contracts. The Sr. RA will utilize their cell biology experience to process living cells through multi-day assays, and their molecular biology experience to convert those same cells into sequencing-ready libraries. Beyond their own runs, this person is accountable for the quality, timelines, and documentation of the work produced across their shift. This role reports into the Associate Director, Professional Services Operations.

Please note: this position works a Wednesday through Sunday or Thursday through Monday schedule.

Essential duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Process samples end to end: prepare and assess cells, set up and monitor instrument runs, oversee automated library prep, and perform final library QC.
• Serve as technical point of contact and day-to-day owner for assigned service contracts, from sample receipt through library delivery
• Coordinate daily run scheduling across samples, instruments, and staff; balance workflow across the shift.
• Train, onboard, and qualify Research Associates on protocols and instrumentation
• Serve as first escalation point for RAs on shift for technical and workflow questions as well as troubleshooting
• Follow SOPs precisely and document all steps, observations, and deviations in the LIMS in real time.
• Support troubleshooting with the lab development and other internal teams.
• Make and document real time judgement calls on whether to continue, re-run, or hold a sample, and escalate appropriately
• Help improve the existing process by providing feedback and ideas to the LIMS and lab development team.
• Onboard and execute new processes transferred from the development team as the menu expands.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs for approximately 15% of typical working day.  
• Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height
• Ability to comply with personal protective equipment requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in cell biology, molecular biology, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a laboratory environment and hands-on experience with cell culture techniques and assays.
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or qualifying junior laboratory staff, or serving as a technical point of contact or shift lead.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols precisely.
• Experience with lab automation and LIMS; Hamilton a plus.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and communicate clearly with internal stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with both NGS library prep and mammalian cell culture.
• Prior experience in a commercial services, CRO, or otherwise deadline driven laboratory environment with defined turnaround time commitments.
• Experience authoring or revising SOPs and supporting assay tech transfer from development into routine operation.

The estimated base salary range for this position is $88,000 - $106,000/year. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.