Research Associate

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; California (MO); On-site; USD 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) with employer match

Comprehensive wellness program

Paid time off (4 weeks)

Job summary

Avidity Biosciences, Inc. is seeking a Research Associate in San Diego to support analytical laboratory activities and daily lab operations in a fast-paced biotech setting.

You will perform routine HPLC/UHPLC analyses, help with method development, and help manage inventory and lab services. The role blends hands-on bench work with operational responsibilities to maintain a high-functioning lab.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related field; 1–3 years lab experience.
• Hands-on experience with HPLC and/or UHPLC, including instrument operation and data analysis; familiarity with SEC, SAX, SCX is a plus.
• Strong understanding of analytical instrumentation and lab workflows, ability to troubleshoot equipment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and documentation skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine analytical testing using HPLC/UHPLC platforms (sample prep, instrument operation, data analysis, detection methods).
• Support chromatographic method development and optimization; troubleshoot and interpret results for scientific teams.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of experiments.

Skills

HPLC/UHPLC experience

Analytical instrumentation

Laboratory operations

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry

Tools

HPLC/UHPLC equipment

Mass spectrometry exposure

Job description

Profoundly Improve People’s lives by Revolutionizing the Delivery of RNA Therapeutics

At Avidity Biosciences, we are passionate about the impact of every employee in realizing our vision of improving people’s lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics. Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. If you are a committed, solution-oriented thinker, join us in making a difference and become part of our growing culture that is integrated, collaborative, agile and focused on the needs of patients.

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline, including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline, and people, please visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and X.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on, and organized Research Associate to support analytical laboratory activities and day-to-day laboratory operations within a fast-paced biotechnology environment.

This is a hybrid scientific and operational role for an individual with experience in HPLC/UHPLC and chromatographic techniques who also enjoys maintaining an efficient, and well-organized laboratory. The successful candidate will perform routine analytical testing while supporting laboratory equipment, inventory, shipping and receiving, vendors, and facilities-related activities.

The ideal candidate will have practical experience with HPLC and UHPLC, familiarity with multiple chromatographic detection technologies, and exposure to mass spectrometry and other separation techniques. Experience with capillary electrophoresis (CE) and/or imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF) is a plus.

What You Will Contribute

Analytical & Research Support

• Perform routine analytical testing using HPLC/UHPLC platforms (sample and reagent preparation, instrument operation, maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and UV/Vis and fluorescence detection).
• Perform and support a range of chromatographic methods (reversed-phase HPLC/UHPLC, SEC, SAX, and SCX) for characterization of oligonucleotides and other complex biomolecules.
• Experience with capillary electrophoresis (CE) and/or icIEF is a plus.
• Support analytical method development and optimization (method execution, troubleshooting, data review and interpretation, and communication of results to scientific teams).
• Maintain accurate experimental records and analytical documentation

Laboratory Management & Operations

• Manage laboratory inventory, including chemicals, reagents, columns, standards, consumables, PPE, and general supplies; monitor stock levels, expiration dates, and storage requirements and reorder as needed.
• Coordinate laboratory equipment installation, preventive maintenance, calibration, repair, and vendor service, while maintaining equipment records and service documentation.
• Support day-to-day shipping and receiving of laboratory materials, samples, reagents, and equipment, including shipment verification, tracking, packaging, courier coordination, and temperature-controlled or dry-ice shipments.
• Partner with Facilities, EHS, IT, Procurement, and external vendors to support laboratory infrastructure, safety, repairs, equipment moves, installations, and workspace changes.
• Identify and elevate operational or facilities issues that could affect laboratory activities and coordinate timely resolution with internal teams and service providers.

What We Seek

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline, with approximately 1–3 years of relevant laboratory experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or a related environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with HPLC and/or UHPLC (sample preparation, instrument operation, data acquisition and analysis, basic troubleshooting, and detection methods including UV, fluorescence, CAD, RI, and/or MALS), with familiarity with additional chromatography techniques (SEC, SAX, and/or SCX).
• Strong understanding of analytical instrumentation and laboratory workflows, including the ability to operate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment while supporting day-to-day laboratory operations (inventory management, shipping and receiving, equipment coordination, supplies, and laboratory organization).
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills, with excellent attention to detail, ownership, and follow-through; ability to manage multiple priorities and balance scientific responsibilities with operational needs in a fast-paced research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across cross-functional teams, including scientists, Facilities, EHS, Procurement, external vendors, and shipping providers, with a proactive and service-oriented approach to laboratory readiness and operational support.
• Ability to build alignment, foster collaboration, and drive shared ownership across functions to achieve results in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Ability to travel to Avidity’s San Diego headquarters approximately twice per year for company development weeks and occasional in-person collaboration.
• Demonstrated curiosity and openness to integrating AI-powered tools to enhance functional processes, support data-informed decisions, and drive innovative outcomes across teams.

What We Will Provide To You

• The base salary range for this role is $43.50-$48.50/hr. The final compensation will be commensurate with such factors as relevant experience, skillset, internal equity and market factors.
• Avidity offers competitive compensation and benefits, which includes the opportunity for annual bonus as well as a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes coverage for medical, dental, vision, and LTD, and four weeks of time off.
• A commitment to learning and development which includes a variety of programming internally developed by and for Avidity employees, opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry, and an education reimbursement program.

Additional Information

• Title: Research AssociateLocation: San Diego, CAPosition Type: Full Time ; Hourly/ Non-ExemptDepartment: Analytical Development & FormulationID: 3106-101280-BF

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