Associate Scientist / Genetic Medicines

Kelly Services-Portugal; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking an Associate Scientist, Genetic Medicines for a contract-to-hire opportunity in Pasadena, CA. The role focuses on testing and advancing gene circuits and delivery technologies, with ~80% hands-on laboratory work and close collaboration with leadership.

You will run assays, document methods, and contribute to an evolving CNS biotech startup environment, including cell-based studies and disease-model mice, within a tight-knit team.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in biochemistry, biomedical research, neuroscience, or related field with relevant research experience.
• PhD welcome but not required.
• Hands-on experience with core molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA or protein extraction, quantification).
• Experience with protein assays such as ELISA and Western blot.
• Strong organization and collaboration skills.
• Ability to plan and troubleshoot experiments, work independently or with a team.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for working across evolving projects in a startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute, optimize, and develop assays to assess gene‑circuit function, including protein expression, localization, and efficacy.
• Conduct studies in cell lines and disease-model mice.
• Write and maintain standard operating procedures and detailed laboratory records.
• Troubleshoot experiments, communicate progress, and collaborate across a small, fast-moving team.

Skills

Molecular biology

PCR

Cloning

Protein assays

Cell culture

Data recording

Scientific writing

Education

BS or MS in biochemistry/biomedical sciences

PhD welcomed

Job description

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking an Associate Scientist, Genetic Medicines for threecontract-to-hire opportunities with one of our clients, a stealth-mode biotechnology company in Pasadena, CA focused on neurological disorders. If you’re passionate about bringing the latest scientific discoveries to life and are ready to take the next step in your career, trust the Experts at Hiring Experts.

Position Title: Associate Scientist, Genetic Medicines

Position Type: 12-month contract-to-hire

Pay rate: $40-48 per hour

Workplace: Onsite in Pasadena, CA

Our client is a seed-funded, Caltech-founded precision CNS biotech developing genetic therapies designed to tightly control protein expression at the cellular level. Our approach aims to address diseases where too little, or too much, of a protein can cause illness.

Based on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, we’re building a focused, collaborative team that brings together pioneering science and drug-development experience. We’re seeking an inquisitive early-career scientist eager to contribute at the bench and grow with a biotech startup.

The role

You’ll help test and advance our gene circuits and delivery technologies in cell-based studies and disease-model mice. About 80% of your time will be hands‑on laboratory work. You’ll work closely with company leadership and scientists to run and improve experiments, document methods, and share results.

Responsibilities

• Execute, optimize, and develop assays to assess gene‑circuit function, including protein expression, localization, and efficacy.
• Conduct studies in cell lines and disease-model mice.
• Write and maintain standard operating procedures and detailed laboratory records.
• Troubleshoot experiments, communicate progress, and collaborate across a small, fast-moving team.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in biochemistry, biomedical research, neuroscience, or a related field, with relevant research experience. A PhD is welcome but not required.
• Hands‑on experience with core molecular biology techniques, such as DNA/RNA or protein extraction and quantification, PCR, and cloning.
• Experience with protein assays such as ELISA and Western blot.
• Strong organization, communication, and collaboration skills.
• The ability to plan and troubleshoot experiments, work independently or with a team, and deliver against timelines.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for working across evolving projects in a startup environment.

Preferred

• Protein production or taranswell systems
• Phage display or synthetic biology
• AAV-based genetic delivery
• In vivo mouse studies
• High-throughput screening
• Next-generation sequencing, RNA-seq, or single-cell RNA-seq
• Basic bioinformatics
• Derivation of neuronal cell lines