Research Associate

BioPhase; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

BioPhase in San Diego seeks a Research Associate I/II to support in vivo services, focusing on rodent models, dosing, sample collection, and data handling. The role emphasizes meticulous data capture and compliance with animal welfare standards.

The candidate will perform a range of procedures under supervision, maintain accurate records, and adapt to varying workloads including occasional weekend shifts. Strong written and oral communication is essential for collaboration with the team.

Qualifications

• BS in the biological sciences or 5+ years of hands‑on industry experience.
• General understanding of animal welfare regulations and ethical use of animals in research.
• Familiar with models in pharmacokinetics, toxicology, oncology, metabolic and infectious diseases, immune disorders.
• Experience handling small rodents (mice, rats).
• Experience with routes of drug administration (oral, SC, IP, IM, IV) and tissue collection.
• Surgeries and survival techniques are a plus.
• Strong writing, organization, and multitasking abilities.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; basic statistics helpful.
• Good written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform in vivo animal procedures to support research projects (dosing, scoring, necropsy, sample handling).
• Perform routine health-related tasks (change cages, daily checks, sanitation).
• Operate computer terminal and ensure data entry accuracy.
• Maintain legible, organized study records.
• Assist with lab/facility inventories and sample storage/shipment.
• Perform other duties and adjust to varying workloads, including weekends/holidays.

Skills

Rodent handling

Dosing administration

In vivo studies

Data collection

Lab safety

Microsoft Office

Animal welfare

Written communication

Education

BS in biological sciences

Job description

Research Associate I/II (Depending on Experience)

About the job

We are currently seeking a candidate to join our North America team as a Research Associate. The individual in this position will be involved in all aspects of study support for our in vivo services group located at our San Diego office. This position is hands‑on with responsibilities including, but not limited to, animal husbandry, animal handling and restraint, dosing administration via various routes, clinical observations, sample collection, processing and shipment, and accurate data collection. The ideal candidate will have experience in contract research organizations with in vivo rodent models and have a good understanding of animal welfare principles. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills and an ability and willingness to problem‑solve.

Key Requirements and Qualifications

• Requires a BS in the biological sciences or 5+ years of hands‑on industry working experience.
• Must have a general understanding of animal welfare regulations and of the importance of the ethical use of animals in research.
• Familiar with a variety of animal models in pharmacokinetics, toxicology, oncology, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and immune disorders.
• Must have experience in handling small rodents (mice, rats)
• Experience with various routes of drug administration (oral, SC, IP, IM, IV), blood and tissue collection and grafting techniques. Skills in animal survival surgeries are a plus (cannulation, orthotopic or SC tumor removal, perfusions, etc).
• Able to learn principles of sanitation and disinfection.
• Must be able to write carefully, precisely, and diligently.
• Have strong organizational skills in performing assigned tasks without supervision.
• Must be detail‑oriented and able to multitask.
• Flexible to adjust work schedule to accommodate varying workloads.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (Understanding of statistical programs a plus).
• Have good written and oral communication skills.

Key Duties

Work under the direction of a direct supervisor. Be responsible for the physical environment for a group of assigned laboratory animals.

• Perform a variety of in vivo animal procedures to support company and client research projects (e.g. dosing, scoring, necropsy, set up the study forms, set up the procedure rooms, label and ship samples, etc.)
• Perform routine animal health‑related tasks (e.g., change cages, daily health checks, sanitation).
• Operate a computer terminal and be responsible for data entry.
• Maintain accurate study records in a legible and organized manner.
• Assist in maintaining lab/facility inventories.
• Assist in maintaining sample inventory, storage, and shipment.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.
• Accommodate varying workloads and work on weekends, holidays, and evenings, when need.