Research Assistant

4J Therapeutics, Inc.; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Equity participation

Job summary

4J Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Research Assistant to support laboratory research and preclinical antiviral studies in a fast-paced biotech startup environment. The role includes cell culture, PCR-based assays, and coordinating in vivo mouse work with our scientific team.

You will maintain rigorous records, assist with experimental workflows, and contribute to advancing our antiviral platform. The ideal candidate has a biology degree and hands-on lab experience, with strong attention to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of prior research experience in biotech or academic labs.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Hands-on experience with PCR/qPCR/RT-qPCR.
• Experience supporting or conducting in vivo mouse studies.
• Strong attention to detail and protocol adherence.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and timelines.
• Ability to work effectively in person as part of a small team.

Responsibilities

• Perform mammalian cell culture, including maintenance, passaging, transfections, infections, and assay setup
• Run PCR, qPCR, RT‑qPCR, and related molecular biology assays
• Support in‑vivo mouse studies, including study preparation, dosing support, sample collection, animal monitoring, and coordination with study teams
• Prepare buffers, reagents, assay materials, and experimental samples
• Process biological samples from in‑vitro and in‑vivo studies
• Follow established protocols and help optimize experimental workflows
• Maintain accurate, complete, and organized lab notebooks, data files, and experimental records
• Analyze, summarize, and communicate experimental results to the team
• Support lab organization, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and general laboratory operations

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

PCR/qPCR/RT-qPCR

In vivo mouse studies

Laboratory data management

Experiment planning

Documentation

In-person collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field

Job description

Company Description: 4J Therapeutics is a Palo Alto–based biopharmaceutical company developing a programmable antiviral platform for serious viral threats. Our approach uses locked nucleic acid antisense oligonucleotides designed to target conserved viral RNA structures, with the goal of enabling antiviral products for treatment, prophylaxis, and pandemic preparedness.

Job Description: We are seeking a Research Assistant to support laboratory research and preclinical studies for our antiviral development programs, including mammalian cell culture, PCR-based assays, sample processing, and in‑vivo mouse work.

This is a hands‑on, in‑person role for someone who is detail‑oriented, reliable, organized, and comfortable working in a fast‑moving biotech startup environment. The person in this role will work closely with scientific staff and external collaborators to execute experiments, maintain high‑quality records, and support the advancement of our antiviral platform.

• Responsibilities Perform mammalian cell culture, including maintenance, passaging, transfections, infections, and assay setup
• Run PCR, qPCR, RT‑qPCR, and related molecular biology assays
• Support in‑vivo mouse studies, including study preparation, dosing support, sample collection, animal monitoring, and coordination with study teams
• Prepare buffers, reagents, assay materials, and experimental samples
• Process biological samples from in‑vitro and in‑vivo studies
• Follow established protocols and help optimize experimental workflows
• Maintain accurate, complete, and organized lab notebooks, data files, and experimental records
• Analyze, summarize, and communicate experimental results to the team
• Support lab organization, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and general laboratory operations
• Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field
• 2+ years of prior research experience in an academic, biotech, pharma, CRO, or related laboratory setting
• Hands‑on experience with mammalian cell culture
• Hands‑on experience with PCR, qPCR, RT‑qPCR, or related molecular biology techniques
• Experience supporting or conducting in‑vivo mouse studies
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols carefully
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple experiments, timelines, and priorities
• Ability to work effectively in person as part of a small, fast‑moving team
• Preferred Experience working with viruses, antiviral assays, infectious disease models, or virology‑related research
• Experience with influenza, respiratory viruses, or viral replication assays
• Experience with animal study sample collection and processing
• Experience with nucleic acid therapeutics, oligonucleotides, delivery systems, or RNA biology
• Experience with cell‑based assays, plaque assays, TCID50, or other virology assays

Experience working in a startup, biotech, pharma, CRO, or regulated research environment

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected salary range is $60,000–$70,000, with compensation dependent on experience. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, 401(k), paid time off, with potential for equity participation.