Lead Research Associate, Services

Cellanome; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health plans

401(k)

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Cellanome is seeking a Senior Research Associate to lead the Professional Services laboratory team on the R3200 platform, ensuring end-to-end workflows and timely delivery for a range of service contracts.

The role requires cell and molecular biology expertise, hands-on leadership, and a commitment to SOPs, documentation, and quality. It reports to the Associate Director, Professional Services Operations and supports a Wednesday-Sunday or Thursday-Monday schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in cell biology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of laboratory experience with cell culture and assays.
• Experience training or mentoring junior staff or leading shifts.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols precisely.
• Experience with lab automation and LIMS; Hamilton a plus.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Process samples end to end from cell prep to library QC.
• Serve as technical point of contact for assigned service contracts.
• Coordinate daily run scheduling across samples, instruments, and staff.
• Train, onboard, and qualify Research Associates on protocols.
• Follow SOPs and document steps in real time in the LIMS.
• Escalate issues and troubleshoot with teams.

Skills

Cell biology

Molecular biology

Teamwork

Communication

LIMS automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in cell biology or related field

Tools

LIMS

Hamilton automation

Job description

We're a well-funded start-up. You’ll get a chance to wear many hats, be a part of a growing team, and have the potential for exciting financial and career growth. Here’s what sets us apart. We’ve set our sights on some of the biggest challenges facing biology today. We’re amassing a world-class team of engineers, scientists, team builders and problem solvers to tackle these challenges heads-on. We’re passionate about developing the next-generation technologies that will unravel the complexities of biology. This is a unique opportunity to build, be part of an exciting start-up and be surrounded by good humans who are super capable, humble and down-to-earth.

The Senior Research Associate is a Lead role on the Professional Services laboratory team. This person will be responsible for executing high-quality end-to-end workflows on the Cellanome R3200 platform and serves as the technical and day-to-day operational lead for a shift of Research Associates supporting a variety of concierge to large-scale commercial service contracts. The Sr. RA will utilize their cell biology experience to process living cells through multi-day assays, and their molecular biology experience to convert those same cells into sequencing-ready libraries. Beyond their own runs, this person is accountable for the quality, timelines, and documentation of the work produced across their shift. This role reports into the Associate Director, Professional Services Operations.

Please note: this position works a Wednesday through Sunday or Thursday through Monday schedule.

Essential duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Process samples end to end: prepare and assess cells, set up and monitor instrument runs, oversee automated library prep, and perform final library QC.
• Serve as technical point of contact and day-to-day owner for assigned service contracts, from sample receipt through library delivery.
• Coordinate daily run scheduling across samples, instruments, and staff; balance workflow across the shift.
• Train, onboard, and qualify Research Associates on protocols and instrumentation.
• Serve as first escalation point for RAs on shift for technical and workflow questions as well as troubleshooting.
• Follow SOPs precisely and document all steps, observations, and deviations in the LIMS in real time.
• Support troubleshooting with the lab development and other internal teams.
• Make and document real time judgement calls on whether to continue, re-run, or hold a sample, and elevate appropriately.
• Help improve the existing process by providing feedback and ideas to the LIMS and lab development team.
• Onboard and execute new processes transferred from the development team as the menu expands.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs for approximately 15% of typical working day.
• Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
• Ability to comply with personal protective equipment requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in cell biology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a laboratory environment and hands-on experience with cell culture techniques and assays.
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or qualifying junior laboratory staff, or serving as a technical point of contact or shift lead.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols precisely.
• Experience with lab automation and LIMS; Hamilton a plus.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and communicate clearly with internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with both NGS library prep and mammalian cell culture.
• Prior experience in a commercial services, CRO, or otherwise deadline driven laboratory environment with defined turnaround time commitments.
• Experience authoring or revising SOPs and supporting assay tech transfer from development into routine operation.

The estimated base salary range for this position is $88,000 - $106,000/year. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

What you can expect from us:

• You'll feel the energy when you walk in our door - we work hard, we have fun and we have ambitious plans to grow.
• Cellanome offers a comprehensive employment package that includes a competitive salary, generous stock options, great individual, and family health plans, a 401(k) and flexibility to balance work and life.
• We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our employees.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us to request accommodation.