Research Assistant

e184; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity participation

Direct mentorship from experienced leaders

Broad exposure across functions

Opportunity to build a biotech company from the ground up

Job summary

A biotechnology research company in Portland seeks a Research Assistant to support innovative studies in reproductive medicine. You will engage in hands-on lab work, directly contributing to cutting-edge science in stem cell biology. Ideal candidates will hold a Biology degree and have experience in mammalian cell cultures. This is a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic startup environment, offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Physical ability to handle extended periods of laboratory work.
• Comfortable with weekend responsibilities for cell culture maintenance.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable with weekend responsibilities for cell culture maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Perform primary cell derivations and maintain mammalian cell cultures.
• Assist with vendor evaluation and procurement of lab supplies and equipment.
• Maintain lab organization, inventory management, and quality standards.
• Maintain detailed experimental records and project documentation.
• Adapt to a fast-paced startup environment with varying priorities.

Skills

Hands-on laboratory experience with mammalian cell culture

Strong organizational skills

Ability to work independently

Genuine excitement about startup environment

Willingness for weekend duties

Physical stamina for lab work

Startup/motivated mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Cell or Molecular Biology, or related field

Tools

None

Job description

e184 is a biotechnology research company advancing in vitro gametogenesis to transform reproductive medicine. We're developing integrated platforms that combine cellular reprogramming, machine learning-guided optimization, multi-omics analysis, and automated experimental workflows to enable gamete development for individuals facing reproductive challenges. We're assembling interdisciplinary teams across cell and molecular engineering, synthetic biology, epigenetic editing, bioinformatics and computational biology to tackle one of biology's most impactful problems - returning the fundamental right to procreate.

Role overview

Most research assistant positions involve executing protocols someone else designed, in systems someone else built, following SOPs someone else wrote. This role is not that.

You'll work directly alongside our CSO/co-founder and Science Team Leads helping build something from scratch. You'll have input on procurement decisions, equipment choices, lab layout, and operational systems. When we design our new facility, you'll be part of those conversations.

You'll see how a biotech startup actually works - the business development, the strategic decisions about what experiments to prioritize and why. This exposure is nearly impossible to get in academic labs or established companies.

You'll wear multiple hats and develop a broad skill set. One day you're troubleshooting iPSC culture protocols, the next you're evaluating vendors for cell culture reagents, and the following week you're helping write SOPs for our quality management system. This breadth accelerates your professional development in ways that narrowly-focused positions cannot.

You'll contribute to cutting-edge science in stem cell biology, working on technologies that could fundamentally change reproductive medicine. Your work will directly enable experiments that move us toward clinical applications.

This isn't a 9-to-5 job. It's startup life - sometimes chaotic, always demanding, occasionally uncertain. But if you're at a stage in your career where learning and growth matter, this is a rare opportunity.

Primary responsibilities

Cell culture operations (50-60% of your time)

• Perform primary cell derivations and maintain mammalian cell cultures
• Conduct iPSC reprogramming, culture, characterization, and banking
• Develop and validate reporter cell lines using knock-in techniques
• Maintain detailed experimental records and documentation
• Troubleshoot culture conditions and optimize protocols

Lab operations and management (40-50% of your time)

• Assist with vendor evaluation and procurement of lab supplies and equipment
• Help establish and document standard operating procedures
• Maintain lab organization, inventory management, and quality standards
• Contribute to lab setup and design decisions for our upcoming facility expansion
• Support regulatory compliance and documentation requirements

What this actually looks like day-to-day:

Expect extended periods of hands-on lab work. Cell culture doesn't accommodate a traditional schedule - cells need attention when they need it, including weekends. You'll need to be adaptable when priorities shift (they will), detail-oriented when documenting experiments (always), and comfortable working independently while also communicating proactively about challenges and progress.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Cell or Molecular Biology, or related field
• Hands-on laboratory experience with mammalian cell culture
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Comfortable with weekend responsibilities for cell culture maintenance
• Physical ability to handle extended periods of laboratory work
• Genuine excitement about startup environment and mission-driven science

Preferred qualifications

• 1-3 years of research experience (academic or industry)
• iPSC culture and characterization experience
• CRISPR/Cas9 experience (or strong desire to learn)
• Previous startup or fast-paced environment experience

Who we're looking for

• You're someone who gets energized by building things, not just maintaining them
• You're comfortable with ambiguity and can make good decisions without perfect information
• You ask questions, suggest improvements, and take ownership of problems
• You're self-aware about what you don't know and proactive about learning
• You value being part of something meaningful
• You're at a career stage where growth opportunities matter the most

What we offer

• Competitive compensation, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits
• Direct mentorship from CSO and Science Team Leads
• Early employee status and ability to grow with the company
• Broad exposure across scientific, operational, and business functions
• Real input on decisions that shape the company
• Experience building a biotech company from the ground up - invaluable if you have entrepreneurial interests
• More autonomy, more diverse responsibilities, and more direct impact than you'd have almost anywhere else at this career stage
• Work that directly contributes to addressing infertility challenges

Disclaimer

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Responsibilities and duties may change or be adjusted to meet the needs of the company, and additional duties may be assigned as necessary. The job description is subject to change at any time at the discretion of e184.