Research Associate – Expression (Cell Bio)

Merge Labs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Merge Labs is seeking a Research Associate to work with scientists on engineered molecular systems in mammalian cell models, including neurons. You’ll grow and maintain cell cultures, develop cell‑based assays, and explore how genetic designs and delivery conditions affect expression and cell health.

This hands‑on role offers growth in experimental design and ownership of workflows. You’ll contribute to assay development, data analysis, and documentation while collaborating across teams to

Qualifications

• 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 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Microscopy

qPCR

aseptic technique

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in cell biology or related field

Tools

Nucleic acid extraction

Job description

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 developingfundamentally 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.

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].