Research Associate – Expression (Cell Bio)

merge.io; California; Presencial; USD 60.000 - 90.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Merge Labs in California is seeking a Research Associate to join the Expression team. You will work alongside scientists to characterize engineered molecular systems in mammalian cell models, including neurons, growing and maintaining cell cultures, and developing cell-based assays.

You will perform gDNA/RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, and high-content microscopy, analyze data, troubleshoot results, and document workflows. This hands-on role offers growth and increasing ownership of experiments.

Formación

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays with aseptic technique.
• Familiarity with microscopy, plate-based assays, nucleic acid extraction, and qPCR.
• Strong documentation and collaborative skills.

Responsabilidades

• Grow, maintain, and perform experiments on mammalian cell lines and neuronal cultures.
• Evaluate engineered genetic constructs and delivery conditions in neuronal and other mammalian cell models.
• Develop and run high-content microscopy and plate-based assays to measure expression, cellular fitness, and viability.
• Perform routine biochemical and molecular analyses, including gDNA/RNA extraction and RT-qPCR.
• Analyze and present findings, troubleshoot unexpected results, and help design follow-up experiments.
• Maintain detailed experimental records, protocols, and organized inventories.

Conocimientos

Mammalian cell culture

Cell-based assays

Aseptic technique

Microscopy

qPCR

Nucleic acid extraction

Data interpretation

Educación

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, or related field

Herramientas

Microscopy systems

Plate readers

RT-qPCR instruments

Descripción del empleo

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab with the mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability, agency and experience. We’re pursuing this goal by developing fundamentally new approaches to brain-computer interfaces that interact with the brain at high bandwidth, integrate with advanced AI, and are ultimately safe and accessible for anyone to use.

About the Team:

On the Expression team, our work combines biochemistry, protein engineering, and cell biology to ensure the efficient assembly of complex protein systems for use as molecular readouts of neural activity.

About the Role:

As a Research Associate, you’ll work alongside scientists to characterize and improve engineered molecular systems across mammalian cell models, including cell lines and neurons. You’ll grow and maintain cell cultures, develop and execute cell-based assays, and investigate how genetic designs and delivery conditions affect expression, function, and cell health. This is a hands-on role with opportunities to contribute to experimental design, learn new techniques, and take increasing ownership of experimental workflows.

In this role, you will:

• Grow, maintain, and perform experiments on mammalian cell lines and neuronal cultures.
• Evaluate engineered genetic constructs and delivery conditions in neuronal and other mammalian cell models.
• Develop and run high-content microscopy and plate-based assays to measure expression, cellular fitness, and viability.
• Perform routine biochemical and molecular analyses, including gDNA/RNA extraction and RT-qPCR.
• Analyze and present findings, troubleshoot unexpected results, and help design follow-up experiments.
• Maintain detailed experimental records, protocols, and organized cell and reagent inventories.

You might thrive in this role if you have:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays, with strong aseptic technique and a willingness to learn new cell models.
• Familiarity with microscopy, plate-based assays, nucleic acid extraction, and qPCR.
• Scientific curiosity, strong observational skills, and a systematic approach to troubleshooting.
• An organized approach to managing multiple experiments, cell cultures, and timelines.
• Strong documentation, communication, and collaboration skills.

Nice to have:

• Experience culturing primary cells or iPSC-derived neurons.
• High-content imaging, immunofluorescence, and quantitative image analysis.
• Development or optimization of assays for cellular fitness, viability, cytotoxicity, or cellular stress.
• Transfection, viral transduction, or optimization of gene expression in mammalian cells.
• Experience with large-scale cell-based screens or laboratory automation.

For more information about hiring at Merge, please visit our Hiring FAQ https://app.notion.com/p/Hiring-FAQ-34807970692180e88dd6d701b83cbf7b?source=copy_link

Merge Labs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family status, ancestry, citizenship, U.S. military (state and federal) and veteran status, or any other legally protected status. It is our intention that all applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job related factors. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made by emailing [e-mail].