Molecular Biology Associate: RNA Extraction and RT-qPCR

Yoh; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Life & Disability Insurance

401K Retirement Savings Plan

Direct Deposit & weekly epayroll

Referral Bonus Programs

Certification and training

Job summary

Yoh Life Sciences is seeking a Research Associate I/II for its South San Francisco site to support molecular biology programs, focusing on RNA extraction from animal tissues and 384-well RT-qPCR for gene expression analysis.

The role requires hands-on experience with phenol-chloroform RNA extraction and high-throughput RT-qPCR, plus strong documentation and bench skills in a fast-paced lab.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or related life science field.
• Substantial hands-on lab experience in academic/biotech/pharma environments.
• Experience performing phenol-chloroform RNA extraction from animal tissues using TRIzol, TRI Reagent, QIAzol, or similar.
• Experience performing RT-qPCR gene-expression analysis using 384-well plates.
• Experience RNA quality assessment, cDNA synthesis, assay setup, and gene-expression data analysis.
• Understanding RT-qPCR principles, controls, reference-gene normalization, and troubleshooting.
• Strong pipetting skills for high-throughput, multiwell assays.
• Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience.
• Experience processing tissues and isolating primary cells.
• Experience biomarker or protein-based assays on biological samples.
• Ability to follow SOPs, manage multiple experiments, and document results independently.

Responsibilities

• Independently process animal tissue samples including tissue prep and homogenization, followed by RNA extraction.
• Perform RNA quantification, quality assessment, cDNA synthesis, and RT-qPCR gene-expression analysis.
• Prepare and run 384-well RT-qPCR plates with controls and reference genes.
• Analyze gene-expression data, evaluate assay quality, and troubleshoot variability.
• Perform molecular and biomarker assays on tissue lysates, serum, plasma or cell-derived materials.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures using aseptic techniques and routine passaging.
• Support ex vivo research through tissue processing and primary cell prep/isolation.
• Execute established protocols efficiently while managing multiple experiments.
• Maintain accurate documentation and communicate results to teams.

Skills

RNA extraction

RT-qPCR

Mammalian cell culture

Pipetting

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology/Molecular Biology or related life science

Tools

TRIzol/ TRI Reagent or QIAzol

Phenol-chloroform extraction

384-well RT-qPCR

RT-qPCR instrumentation

Job description

Yoh Life Sciences is seeking a Research Associate I/II for its South San Francisco site to support molecular biology programs, focusing on RNA extraction from animal tissues and 384-well RT-qPCR for gene expression analysis.

The role requires hands-on experience with phenol-chloroform RNA extraction and high-throughput RT-qPCR, plus strong documentation and bench skills in a fast-paced lab.