In Vivo Scientist / Research Associate

Junipero Therapeutics; Durham, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Junipero Therapeutics is seeking a hands-on bench and vivarium role at our early-stage company in Durham. You will run studies yourself, contribute to study design, and work on-site at BioLabs Durham.

You will report to the Head of R&D, join an emerging team, and participate in in vivo dosing, tissue collection, and downstream molecular analyses to inform target engagement and biomarker readouts.

Qualifications

• BS/MS with 2+ years or PhD with relevant postdoc or industry experience in molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics, biomedical engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on rodent in vivo experience including dosing, in-life monitoring, necropsy, tissue collection.
• Knowledge of IACUC protocol preparation and animal welfare compliance.
• Proficiency in RNA/DNA extraction, RT-qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, and data analysis.
• Ability to work independently in a small-company environment; strong troubleshooting and urgency.

Responsibilities

• Execute murine in vivo studies end to end, including dosing and tissue collection.
• Prepare and maintain IACUC protocols and liaise with vivarium staff.
• Formulate solutions for injections.
• Perform downstream molecular analysis: RNA/protein extraction, RT-qPCR, Western blot, ELISA.
• Design dose-ranging and time-course arms; analyze dose-response data.
• Maintain rigorous electronic lab notebook records.

Skills

Rodent in vivo experience

Molecular assay proficiency

Independent work style

Data analysis

Urgency and troubleshooting

Education

BS/MS with 2+ years or PhD with relevant postdoctoral or industry experience

Job description

This is a hands-on bench and vivarium role at an early-stage company. You will run the studies yourself rather than supervise someone else running them, and you will have direct input into study design.

What you will do

• Execute murine in vivo studies end to end: animal receipt and acclimation, dosing (subcutaneous and intravenous), in-life monitoring, terminal procedures, and tissue collection
• Prepare and maintain IACUC protocols and animal-use records; serve as day-to-day liaison with the vivarium's staff
• Formulate and prepare solutions for intravenous and subcutaneous injections
• Perform downstream molecular analysis of collected tissue: RNA and protein extraction, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and related target-engagement assays
• Design and run dose-ranging and time-course arms; analyze and present dose-response and duration-of-effect data
• Maintain rigorous electronic lab notebook records

What we are looking for

• BS/MS with 2+ years, or PhD with relevant postdoctoral or industry experience, in molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics, biomedical engineering, or a related field
• Demonstrated hands-on rodent in vivo experience, including dosing, in-life monitoring, necropsy, and tissue collection
• Working knowledge of IACUC protocol preparation and animal welfare compliance
• Proficiency in standard molecular assays: RNA/DNA extraction, RT-qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, and quantitative data analysis
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot in real time, and operate effectively in a small-company environment without layered support functions
• You move with a sense of urgency

Nice to have

• Direct experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics
• Experience in liver-associated targets and associated biomarker readouts
• Experience establishing a new in vivo capability, or transferring studies between a sponsor and a CRO
• Comfort with molecular biology bench work — tissue culture, PCR, cloning and the like. Genuinely just a plus, not something we expect

The details

• Full-time and on-site at BioLabs Durham, 701 West Main Street, with animal work at a vivarium suite in RTP
• You will report to the Head of R&D
• Early-stage team, so you will have broad scope and a real hand in how things are done