Research Associate-256375

Medix™; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Medix is seeking a hands-on Research Associate or Scientist to support protein production and quality control as we scale for our customer’s growth. You will execute, validate, and optimize expression, purification, and analytical characterization on an automated, high-throughput lab platform.

You will collaborate with cross-functional scientists and engineers, perform first-pass data analysis on chromatograms and SEC traces, and document results in ELN while contributing to SOP development.

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a B.S. or M.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field with hands-on lab experience.
• Must have hands-on experience running or developing at least two of the specified assays/instruments.
• Experience with protein purification, mammalian cell culture, and rigorous documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute protein expression, purification, and analytical QC workflows.
• Operate AKTA/FPLC and KingFisher platforms; perform purification and buffer exchange.
• Analyze chromatograms and SEC traces; maintain ELN records and SOPs.
• Collaborate with robotics and software teams to automate workflows.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Protein purification

Analytical QC

Data recording & ELN documentation

SOP development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field

Tools

Waters UPLC

AKTA/FPLC

KingFisher platform

Cytation readout

nanoDSF

DLS (polydispersity)

Unchained Labs Aunty

Job description

We are seeking a highly hands-on Research Associate or Scientist to support protein production and quality control workflows as we scale up for our customer's next phase of growth. Working alongside cross-functional scientists and engineers, you will execute, validate, and optimize protein expression, purification, and analytical characterization as part of an automated, high-throughput lab platform.

Responsibilities

• Cell Culture & Expression: Run automated mammalian cell growth and transient transfection for recombinant protein expression, including cell maintenance, expansion, and scaling.
• Purification: Perform protein purification on AKTA (FPLC) and KingFisher platforms, including affinity capture, polishing, buffer exchange, and magnetic-bead-based processing.
• Analytical QC: Execute analytical QC by SEC (analytical UPLC/HPLC) to assess purity, aggregation, and monomericity, as well as supporting secondary QC (concentration, endotoxin, SDS‑PAGE).
• Automation Collaboration: Partner with roboticists and software engineers to translate manual purification and QC steps into reliable, autonomous protocols.
• Data Analysis & Documentation: Perform first-pass data analysis on chromatograms and SEC traces, maintaining rigorous experimental records in Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) and contributing to SOP development.

Required Skills

• B.S. or M.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical/Biological Engineering, or a related scientific discipline with hands‑on lab experience.
• Hands‑on experience personally running or developing 2+ of the following specific assays/instruments:

• -aSEC purity — Waters UPLC
• -Hydrophobic interaction (HI) — PAIA Biotech plate assay (Cytation readout)
• -OVA off‑target binding — Cytation readout
• -Thermal stability (nanoDSF) — Unchained Labs Aunty
• -Polydispersity (DLS) — Unchained Labs Aunty

• Direct hands‑on experience with protein purification (chromatography on AKTA/FPLC and/or bead‑based processing) and taking a sample from lysate/supernatant to purified protein.
• Strong wet‑lab skills, including mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, and careful execution of detailed protocols.
• Basic understanding of antibody structure and function, strong documentation habits, and high attention to detail.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with analytical SEC or other analytical chromatography (UPLC/HPLC).
• Experience with automated or high‑throughput purification (e.g., KingFisher, multi‑column AKTA, robotic systems).
• Experience scaling mammalian expression systems (CHO/HEK) and transient transfection.
• Experience with lab automation or liquid handling platforms (e.g., Dynamic Devices Lynx, Tempest).
• Familiarity with alternative binder formats (VHHs, bispecifics, Fc‑fusions, or non‑Ig scaffolds).
• Basic scripting or data‑handling skills (Python/R) for organizing and analyzing purification and QC data.