Research Associate - Stem Cells

Skan Research Trust; Anekal; On-site; INR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Skan Research Trust in India, Karnataka invites applications for a Research Associate to join our multidisciplinary biomedical team. The role focuses on cell culture, flow cytometry, and molecular biology to support cellular biology, stem cell biology, genomics, and related research areas.

You will work across several specialties, including culture of mammalian cell lines, primary cells, and functional assays; flow cytometry, gene modulation, and genomics/NGS analysis using R or Python.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant life sciences field.
• Minimum 2 years of hands-on research experience in academia, industry, or biomedical labs.
• Hands-on experience in cell culture, flow cytometry, and basic molecular biology techniques.

Responsibilities

• Culture, maintain, and characterize mammalian cell lines and primary cells.
• Perform aseptic cell culture, cell counting, viability assays, and cryopreservation.
• Assist with isolation and culture of primary human and murine cells where applicable.
• Perform functional cell-based assays and support optimization and troubleshooting.
• Support stable cell line development and characterization.
• Assist with flow cytometry sample prep, staining, and data analysis.
• Contribute to gene modulation and transduction workflows, where applicable.
• Assist in genomics, NGS library prep, and bioinformatics data analysis using R/Python.

Skills

Mammalian Cell Culture

Flow Cytometry

Basic Molecular Biology Techniques

Education

Master's degree in Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related discipline

Tools

R

Python

Job description

We are looking for a motivated Research Associate with hands-on experience in cell culture, flow cytometry, and molecular biology to join our research team. The candidate will support multidisciplinary biomedical research involving cellular biology, stem cell biology, molecular biology, genomics, and related research areas.

Key Responsibilities

Cell Culture & Cellular Biology

• Culture, maintain, and characterize mammalian cell lines and primary cells.
• Perform aseptic cell culture, cell counting, viability assessment, cryopreservation, and cell stock maintenance.
• Assist with the isolation and culture of primary human and, where applicable, murine cell populations.
• Perform functional cell-based assays and support experimental optimization and troubleshooting.
• Support stable cell line development and characterization.

Stem Cell Biology & Hematopoiesis

• Assist with research involving hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
• Support studies related to cellular differentiation, proliferation, and functional maturation.
• Contribute to research on megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet biogenesis, where applicable.
• Support studies investigating hematopoiesis and stem cell function in relation to aging, inflammation, and disease.

Molecular Biology

• Perform DNA and RNA extraction from biological samples.
• Conduct PCR, qPCR, and gene expression analysis.
• Perform protein expression and molecular characterization studies.
• Conduct immunostaining and microscopy-based experiments.
• Support the development and optimization of molecular and cellular assays.

Flow Cytometry & Functional Assays

• Prepare biological samples for flow cytometry.
• Perform antibody staining and multicolor flow cytometry experiments.
• Assist with flow cytometry panel design and optimization.
• Acquire and analyze flow cytometry data using appropriate software.
• Characterize stem, progenitor, immune, and differentiated cell populations.
• Support cell sorting and downstream functional studies.

Gene Modulation & Stable Cell Line Development

• Support gene knockout, overexpression, knockdown, transfection, and transduction experiments.
• Assist with lentiviral production and transduction workflows, where applicable.
• Characterize genetically modified cell lines using molecular and cellular assays.
• Support functional validation of candidate genes and signaling pathways.

Genomics, NGS & Bioinformatics

• Assist with sample preparation for genomics and sequencing applications.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction and quality control.
• Support NGS library preparation and sequencing workflows.
• Assist in the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic datasets.
• Use R and/or Python for data processing, visualization, and analysis, where applicable.
• Maintain accurate sample tracking, datasets, and associated metadata.

Laboratory & Research Management

• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and experimental records.
• Participate in experimental design, protocol development, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain inventories of reagents, consumables, cell stocks, and biological samples.
• Support the preparation and implementation of SOPs.
• Follow laboratory safety, biosafety, contamination control, and waste disposal procedures.
• Prepare research reports, presentations, and scientific documentation.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, publications, project reports, and grant applications.
• Collaborate with scientists, clinicians, bioinformaticians, and other multidisciplinary teams.

Educational Qualification

• Master's degree (M.Sc./M.Tech or equivalent) in:
  • Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • or another relevant discipline.

Experience Required

• Minimum 2 years of relevant research experience in academia, industry, or a biomedical research laboratory.
• Hands-on experience in cell culture, flow cytometry, and basic molecular biology techniques is essential.

Essential Skills

• Mammalian Cell Culture
• Flow Cytometry
• Basic Molecular Biology Techniques

Desirable Skills

Candidates with experience in two or more of the following areas will be preferred:

• Stem Cell Biology & Hematopoiesis
• Primary Cell Culture
• Stable Cell Line Development
• Gene Knockout & Overexpression
• Transfection, Transduction & Lentiviral Systems
• Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting
• Confocal Microscopy & Immunostaining
• Cell-Based Bioassays
• Genomics & Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
• Single-Cell & Multiomics
• Bioinformatics & Biological Data Analysis
• R and/or Python
• Translational and Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research