Research Associate, Applied Cell Line Development & Customer Programs

Prolific Machines; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity package

Retirement plan with company contrib.

Flexible PTO with minimums

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Career coaching

Mental health support

Free team lunches everyday

Great snacks

Social events

Job summary

Prolific Machines in Emeryville, CA is seeking a motivated Research Associate to advance mammalian cell line development and protein production using light-controlled expression. You will generate and characterize cell lines to support internal research and customer programs, collaborating across disciplines in a fast-paced startup environment.

The role focuses on transfection, stable cell line generation, and downstream readouts, with hands-on lab work and meticulous documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or related field.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture, sterile technique, transfection, and clone isolation.
• Experience with readouts such as cell counting, metabolite measurements, Octet BLI, and flow cytometry.
• Ability to develop and troubleshoot experimental plans and work independently.
• Strong organizational and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Own workflows using mammalian cell culture with HEK and CHO cells.
• Generate stable cell lines via transfection and selection; own multiple cell lines.
• Manage protein production workflows from deep-well plates to small bioreactors.
• Perform readouts: Celleca, metabolite measurements, Octet BLI, flow cytometry.
• Execute single-cell isolation using FACS or Beacon.
• Conduct plasmid cloning and molecular biology (PCR, ddPCR).
• Document experiments and present data in team meetings.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Transfection

Clone isolation

Flow cytometry

Cell line development

Experimental design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Bioengineering/Biotechnology

Job description

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our first-of-its-kind optogenetic platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology enables dynamic, tunable control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, and reproducibility advantages across the most complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV.

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate to help advance our mammalian cell line development and protein production capabilities. At Prolific, we use light to control the expression of biotherapeutic proteins, with the goal of increasing titer and improving quality attributes. In this role, you will play a key part in generating and characterizing cell lines that support both internal research and customer programs. The ideal candidate enjoys hands‑on laboratory work, takes pride in delivering consistent, high‑quality results, and is eager to learn and grow in a fast‑paced startup environment. You’ll collaborate with scientists and engineers across multiple disciplines, with opportunities to expand your technical expertise, take on increasing ownership, and contribute directly to Prolific’s success. This role is based on‑site in our headquarters in Emeryville, CA.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive workflows using mammalian cell culture, primarily working with suspension HEK and suspension CHO
• Generate stable cell lines via transfection (ie electroporation) and selection as well as serving as the primary technical owner of many genetically distinct cell lines at once
• Handle protein production workflows at different scales - deep well plates and shake flasks, potentially including small scale bioreactors such as the Ambr system
• Execute downstream readouts such as cell counting (Celleca, nucleocounter), metabolite measurements (Nova / CEDEX), Octet BLI, flow cytometry
• Perform single cell isolation using methods such as FACS, cell deposition, or Beacon
• Execute plasmid cloning and molecular biology techniques including PCR and ddPCR
• Conduct experiments independently, collect and analyze data in a timely manner, maintain detailed documentation in electronic lab notebooks, and data visualization and presentation in team meetings

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or a related field, with relevant laboratory experience in mammalian cell culture. Candidates will be considered at the Research Associate I, Research Associate II, and Senior Research Associate levels based on their experience, technical proficiency, and demonstrated independence.
• Proficient in mammalian cell culture, preferably with experience in cell line development, and are well versed in sterile technique, transfection, and clone isolation
• Comfortable with readouts such as cell counting, metabolite measurement, Octet BLI and flow cytometry
• Comfortable with developing and proposing experimental plans, conducting experiments, and troubleshooting analytical techniques and methodologies
• Proficient in precisely following protocols, designing and executing experiments independently, and managing multiple tasks in a fast‑paced setting
• Self-starter who’s committed to team science and effective independent work
• Strong organizational skills with an interest in creating and maintaining organizational infrastructure for both lab experiments and with data analysis
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excitement for working in a fast‑paced startup environment and comfort with evolving project scopes and shifting priorities

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every preferred qualification. If you have a solid foundation in mammalian cell culture, a commitment to high-quality laboratory work, and enthusiasm for learning, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Generous equity package in an early stage company, retirement plan with company contribution, flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums, company‑covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, career coaching, mental health support, free team lunches everyday, great snacks, and companywide social events!

Diversity

Prolific Machines values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can bring their authentic selves to work and have equal opportunities to succeed. Prolific Machines is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Location

The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)

$72,500 - $117,500 a year

This role is salaried, exempt, and paid semi-monthly. Starting salary will be dependent upon specific experience, knowledge, and skillset. The range depending on exact level will typically fall between $72,500-$87,500 for Research Associate I, $87,500-$102,500 for Research Associate II, or $102,500-$117,500 for Sr. Research Associate.