Research Associate

BiomeSense; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity 0.1–0.2%

Benefits

Job summary

BiomeSense is seeking a Research Associate to join its R&D team in Chicago, IL, offering an in-person position with a salary range of $60K–$80K plus equity and benefits. The role emphasizes ownership, lab execution, and collaboration with engineers to advance microbiome analysis and biomarker discovery.

Responsibilities include executing microbiology protocols, coordinating large sample intake, and contributing to product development under leadership guidance while maintaining rigorous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with core microbiology techniques, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and NGS sample preparation.
• Highly organized, proactive, and dependable, excited by a high ownership, collaborative, and fast-paced setting.
• Receptive to direction and constructive feedback, with a willingness to apply what you learn and support team priorities.

Responsibilities

• Execute and optimize microbiology protocols supporting nucleic acid extraction, PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), in a high-throughput laboratory environment, following current SOPs carefully and maintaining speed without sacrificing work quality
• Collaborate closely with engineers and leadership to validate novel systems for microbial DNA stabilization, extraction, and purification
• Accurately coordinate intake and processing of large quantities of partner samples
• Demonstrate proactive & confident communication, clarifying priorities or questions before beginning work
• Design and conduct experiments with guidance from scientific leadership to retire technical risks, optimize protocols and contribute to product innovation
• Maintain rigorous documentation practices that allow work to be replicated and reviewed, and adhere to established quality management systems (e.g., GLP, design controls).
• Effectively communicate throughout the experimental cycle – give daily progress updates, collaborate on results, flag risks early and ask for assistance promptly

Skills

Core microbiology techniques

Nucleic acid extraction

PCR

NGS sample preparation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, bioengineering, or related field

Job description

Research Associate – R&D

Location: Chicago, IL (in-person)

Compensation: $60K – $80K salary + 0.1% - 0.2% equity + benefits

BiomeSense is a start-up revolutionizing human gut microbiome sampling and analysis, driving discovery, and enabling the development of microbiome-based precision medicine. Our innovative approach integrates two core advancements: hardware that facilitates daily microbiome sampling as a routine exercise, and AI-driven analytics to unlock novel datasets for biomarker discovery.

We are seeking aResearch Associateto join our Research and Development team. We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their work, is eager to develop technical skills in a dynamic environment, and contributes to our mission through reliable, high-quality laboratory execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute and optimize microbiology protocols supporting nucleic acid extraction, PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), in a high-throughput laboratory environment, following current SOPs carefully and maintaining speed without sacrificing work quality


• Collaborate closely with engineers and leadership to validate novel systems for microbial DNA stabilization, extraction, and purification


• Accurately coordinate intake and processing of large quantities of partner samples


• Demonstrate proactive & confident communication, clarifying priorities or questions before beginning work


• Design and conduct experiments with guidance from scientific leadership to retire technical risks, optimize protocols and contribute to product innovation

• Maintain rigorous documentation practices that allow work to be replicated and reviewed, and adhere to established quality management systems (e.g., GLP, design controls).


• Effectively communicate throughout the experimental cycle – give daily progress updates, collaborate on results, flag risks early and ask for assistance promptly

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, bioengineering, or a related field


• Hands‑on experience with core microbiology techniques, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and NGS sample preparation


• Highly organized, proactive, and dependable, excited by a high ownership, collaborative, and fast-paced setting


• Receptive to direction and constructive feedback, with a willingness to apply what you learn and support team priorities