Laboratory Operations Scientist (Cell Culture and Molecular Biology)

iORGANBIO; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Job summary

iOrganBio is hiring a Cell Culture Technician for an in-person, full-time role in Durham, NC. The position involves maintaining healthy human cell lines, executing differentiation workflows, and supporting high-throughput experiments under a regulated, data-driven environment.

Equity will be provided and mentorship from world-class scientists is available. The role emphasizes aseptic technique, detailed documentation, and collaboration with automation and sequencing teams to advance stem cell

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with aseptic technique and human cell culture.
• Proficiency with standard lab techniques and equipment including pipetting, sterile handling, biosafety cabinets, centrifugation, and basic molecular assays.

Responsibilities

• Culture and maintain human pluripotent and differentiated cells under sterile conditions.
• Perform routine feeding, passaging, thawing, cryopreservation, and cell banking.
• Support development and optimization of directed differentiation workflows.
• Conduct QC checks including morphology assessments, viability, and confluency tracking.
• Perform basic molecular biology workflows including PCR, electrophoresis, and nucleic acid quantification.
• Assist with preparation of sequencing libraries, including single-cell RNA-seq workflows.
• Execute molecular biology sample QC using instruments.
• Support high-throughput library preparation workflows, including operation of automated liquid handling systems.
• Prepare, label, and ship samples for external sequencing while maintaining chain-of-custody and data integrity.
• Prepare media, reagents, consumables, and maintain sterile workspaces.
• Operate key lab equipment including BSCs, incubators, centrifuges, microscopes.
• Uphold laboratory organization and contribute to general lab maintenance.
• Accurately document experimental activities in ELNs and LIMS.
• Follow SOPs and contribute to updates and continuous improvement of procedures.
• Assist with sample handling, labeling, and tracking to ensure data integrity.
• Work with automation and sequencing teams to support integrated experimentation.
• Communicate clearly with scientists and engineers regarding observations and needs.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Cell culture

Documentation

Flexibility

Job description

This is a full-time, in-person role compensated at $45k / year, including weekend commitments; mentored by world-class scientists. Equity will be provided.

This is a full-time, in-person role compensated at $45k / year, including weekend commitments; mentored by world-class scientists. Equity will be provided.

Company Overview

iOrganBio is building the technology and industrial base needed to master human cells management in vitro , and ultimately realize the promise of cell-based regenerative medicine available to everyone, for every condition.

We are a cutting-edge seed-stage biotechnology company developing an AI-agentic deep tech platform to provide an infinite supply of unique functional tissues for transformative therapeutic solutions — at population scale. The platform seamlessly integrates software, AI, sequencing, and robotic solutions to listen to cells and adjust key parameters to guide stem cell differentiation. With a lean team of dedicated scientists and engineers, we are seeking a motivated Cell Culture Technician to support our R&D operations and cutting-edge experimentation.

Position Overview

The Cell Culture Technician will play a hands‑on role in daily laboratory operations to support stem cell culture, differentiation workflows, and high-throughput experimentation. Working closely with scientists and automation engineers, this role will maintain healthy cell lines, prepare media and reagents, execute protocols, and ensure accurate documentation within a regulated, data‑driven environment.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the creation of advanced human cell models and scalable tissue manufacturing processes as part of a fast‑moving startup.

Key Responsibilities

Cell Culture & Lab Operations

• Culture and maintain human pluripotent and differentiated cells under sterile conditions.
• Perform routine feeding, passaging, thawing, cryopreservation, and cell banking.
• Support development and optimization of directed differentiation workflows.
• Conduct QC checks including morphology assessments, viability, and confluency tracking.
• Perform basic molecular biology workflows including PCR, electrophoresis, and nucleic acid quantification.
• Assist with preparation of sequencing libraries, including single‑cell RNA‑seq workflows.
• Execute molecular biology sample QC using instruments.
• Support high‑throughput library preparation workflows, including operation of automated liquid handling systems.
• Prepare, label, and ship samples for external sequencing while maintaining chain‑of‑custody and data integrity.

Laboratory Support

• Prepare media, reagents, consumables, and maintain sterile workspaces.
• Operate key lab equipment including BSCs, incubators, centrifuges, microscopes.
• Uphold laboratory organization and contribute to general lab maintenance.

Data & Documentation

• Accurately document experimental activities in ELNs and LIMS.
• Follow SOPs and contribute to updates and continuous improvement of procedures.Assist with sample handling, labeling, and tracking to ensure data integrity.

Cross‑functional Collaboration

• Work with automation and sequencing teams to support integrated experimentation.
• Communicate clearly with scientists and engineers regarding observations and needs.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience with aseptic technique and human cell culture, including routine feeding, passaging, thawing, and cryopreservation (experience with antibiotic‑free culture is a plus).
• Proficiency with standard laboratory techniques and equipment, such as pipetting, sterile cell handling, biological safety cabinets, centrifugation, and basic molecular assays (experience with flow cytometry preferred).
• Ability to read, interpret, and follow SOPs with strong attention to detail.
• Reliable documentation practices and active participation in general lab maintenance.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including performing cell culture on Saturdays and Sundays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience culturing iPSCs and/or ESCs.
• Experience with differentiation of iPSCs and/or ESCs into mature or specialized cell lineages.
• Experience with custom or third‑party high‑throughput or automated library preparation systems.
• Experience with library preparation workflows strongly preferred.
• Strong technical writing skills for preparing or revising SOPs and technical documentation.