Research Associate I/II – Microbiology & Molecular Biology

About the role

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological workflows, including aerobic and anaerobic culture, microbial identification, dilution series preparation, enumeration, Gram staining, and microorganism characterization.
• Perform molecular biology techniques including DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, nucleic acid purification and quantification/quality assessment using methods such as Qubit, NanoDrop, qPCR-based quantification, or equivalent methods.
• Develop and optimize sample preparation and nucleic acid extraction workflows for clinical or biological specimens, including host/background depletion, microbial lysis, enrichment/concentration, nucleic acid purification, and recovery.
• Design, execute, and optimize experiments supporting the development of molecular and microbiological diagnostic assays.
• Prepare and characterize biological samples, controls, standards, and reference materials used in assay development.
• Generate, organize, and analyze experimental data, and communicate results to project teams.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records and ensure experimental work is performed according to established protocols and quality practices.
• Contribute to the development and optimization of standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, and assay documentation.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, automation teams, and other R&D team members to integrate sample preparation and biological assays with diagnostic platforms and technologies.
• Support technology transfer, assay verification/validation, and scale-up activities as projects progress toward product development.

Requirements

• Hands-on laboratory experience in microbiology including aseptic technique, culture, isolation, Gram staining, identification, enumeration, and characterization of microorganisms, including aerobic and anaerobic organisms.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, and nucleic acid purification. Experience with nucleic acid quantification and quality assessment using methods such as Qubit, NanoDrop, qPCR-based quantification, or equivalent methods.
• Experience developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting sample preparation and nucleic acid extraction workflows from biological or clinical sample matrices.
• Experience with the safe handling and culture of microorganisms in a BSL-2 laboratory environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate and thorough laboratory documentation.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary R&D team.
• Experience culturing and characterizing clinically relevant bacterial and/or fungal organisms, including aerobic and anaerobic organisms.
• Experience with nucleic acid extraction from complex biological matrices, particularly whole blood or other clinical specimen types.
• Experience with PCR, qPCR, multiplex PCR, isothermal amplification, or other nucleic acid amplification technologies.
• Experience preparing microbial dilution series.
• Familiarity generating contrived or mock clinical samples by spiking microorganisms into relevant biological matrices.
• Experience with automated or semi-automated nucleic acid extraction platforms, such as KingFisher or comparable magnetic bead-based extraction systems.
• Experience evaluating sample preparation or assay performance, including microbial/nucleic acid recovery, analytical sensitivity, reproducibility, matrix effects, and inhibition.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off
• Access to additional voluntary benefits, employee perks, and discount programs
• We are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and providing a strong foundation for both professional and personal success.
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• PTO