R&D Scientist I

GForce Life Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

GForce Life Sciences seeks an R&D Scientist I to support exploratory discovery research in the ALS Neurology Research Unit, focusing on target identification and validation. The role is a 12-month onsite contract based in Cambridge, MA.

Responsibilities include designing and performing molecular and cellular assays, analyzing gene and protein expression, and contributing to data summaries and presentations, with rigorous documentation and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD-level training in a relevant discipline.
• Strong molecular biology background with hands-on experience in genomics- and proteomics-based assays, including qPCR, ddPCR, and western blotting.
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, including experience with iPSC-derived neurons and/or established cell lines (including assay development/optimization).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team, with strong analytical/problem-solving skills and rigorous experimental documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze experiments investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying ALS, including genomic and proteomic alterations in ALS-relevant pathways.
• Perform molecular biology assays including qPCR, ddPCR, and gel electrophoresis to assess gene expression.
• Conduct western blot analyses to assess protein expression.
• Support proteomic studies including immunoprecipitation (IP) and protein quantification using HTRF, AlphaLISA, and MSD assay platforms.
• Perform routine mammalian cell culture, including plasmid transfection and viral transduction in human iPSC-derived neurons and established cell lines.
• Support target validation studies using immunostaining, fluorescence microscopy, and quantitative image analysis (including co-localization, morphological, and phenotypic assessments).
• Generate high-quality, reproducible experimental data with rigorous documentation of methods/results and preliminary data analysis.
• Contribute to data summaries, figures, and internal scientific presentations.
• Assist with assay development, optimization, and validation in accordance with laboratory safety, quality, and data integrity standards.

Skills

Molecular biology

qPCR

ddPCR

Western blot

Cell culture

iPSC neurons

Genomics assays

Proteomics assays

Data analysis

Documentation

Education

MS or PhD

Tools

HTRF

AlphaLISA

MSD

Fluorescence microscopy

Immunostaining

Job description

Summary

Our client has engaged GForce Life Sciences to provide a R&D Scientist I to support exploratory discovery research within the Neurology Research Unit (ALS Research Group), focused on target identification and target validation in ALS.

R&D Scientist I

12-Month Contract

Onsite in Cambridge, MA

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze experiments investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying ALS, including genomic and proteomic alterations in ALS-relevant pathways.
• Perform molecular biology assays including qPCR, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and gel electrophoresis to assess gene expression.
• Conduct western blot analyses to assess protein expression.
• Support proteomic studies including immunoprecipitation (IP) and protein quantification using HTRF, AlphaLISA, and MSD assay platforms.
• Perform routine mammalian cell culture, including plasmid transfection and viral transduction in human iPSC-derived neurons and established cell lines.
• Support target validation studies using immunostaining, fluorescence microscopy, and quantitative image analysis (including co-localization, morphological, and phenotypic assessments).
• Generate high-quality, reproducible experimental data with rigorous documentation of methods/results and preliminary data analysis.
• Contribute to data summaries, figures, and internal scientific presentations.
• Assist with assay development, optimization, and validation in accordance with laboratory safety, quality, and data integrity standards.

Mandatory Requirements

• MS or PhD-level training in a relevant discipline.
• Strong molecular biology background with hands‑on experience in genomics- and proteomics-based assays, including qPCR, ddPCR, and western blotting.
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, including experience with iPSC-derived neurons and/or established cell lines (including assay development/optimization).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team, with strong analytical/problem-solving skills and rigorous experimental documentation.