Research Associate I

Dawar Consulting; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dawar Consulting is seeking a Research Associate I for a biotechnology client in Foster City, CA to join a fast-paced research team focused on cell therapies and automation. You will develop automated workflows, maintain flow cytometry instruments, and perform mammalian cell culture to generate high-quality data for cross-functional programs, while ensuring compliance with safety and quality practices.

This entry-level role offers hands-on training, exposure to cutting-edge workflows, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 6 months to 1 year of laboratory experience or Master's degree in a related field
• Basic understanding of laboratory automation systems and liquid handling platforms
• Fundamental knowledge of flow cytometry principles and applications
• Hands-on experience performing aseptic mammalian cell culture of adherent and suspension cell lines
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize automated workflows to support high-throughput cell-based assays.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory automation platforms, including liquid handling systems such as Bravo, Assist Plus, and Mantis.
• Perform routine quality control (QC), calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of flow cytometry instruments.
• Conduct aseptic mammalian cell culture of both adherent and suspension cell lines.
• Execute laboratory experiments following established protocols and document results accurately.
• Collaborate with scientists and cross-functional teams to achieve research milestones and project objectives.
• Manage laboratory inventory, cell line inventory, reagents, consumables, and equipment.
• Maintain accurate experimental records using Benchling, Microsoft Office, and other laboratory software.
• Analyze experimental data and present findings during team meetings.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and established scientific best practices.

Skills

Flow Cytometry

Mammalian Cell Culture

Laboratory Automation

Benchling

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Bravo

Assist Plus

Mantis

Job description

Research Associate I

Foster City, CA, United States | Posted on 08/04/2026

Our client, a world leader in Biotechnology and Pharma, is seeking a "Research Associate I” based atFoster City, CA.

Responsibilities:

Our client, a leading biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation cell therapies, is seeking aResearch Associate – Automation & Flow Cytometryto join its growing research team. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career scientist with experience incell culture, flow cytometry, and laboratory automationto contribute to cutting-edge cell therapy development.

The ideal candidate will support automation workflows, maintain flow cytometry instrumentation, perform mammalian cell culture, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate high-quality experimental data.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize automated workflows to support high-throughput cell-based assays.
  
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory automation platforms, including liquid handling systems such asBravo, Assist Plus, and Mantis.
  
• Perform routine quality control (QC), calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting offlow cytometry instruments.
  
• Conduct aseptic mammalian cell culture of bothadherent and suspension cell lines.
  
• Execute laboratory experiments following established protocols and document results accurately.
  
• Collaborate with scientists and cross-functional teams to achieve research milestones and project objectives.
  
• Manage laboratory inventory, cell line inventory, reagents, consumables, and equipment.
  
• Maintain accurate experimental records usingBenchling, Microsoft Office, and other laboratory software.
  
• Analyze experimental data and present findings during team meetings.
  
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and established scientific best practices.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree inBiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, or a related life sciences discipline with6 months to 1 year of laboratory experience,OR
• Master's degree in a related scientific field with no prior industry experience required.
• Basic understanding of laboratory automation systems and liquid handling platforms.
• Fundamental knowledge offlow cytometry principles and applications.
• Hands-on experience performingaseptic mammalian cell cultureof adherent and suspension cell lines.
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with automated liquid handling systems (Bravo, Assist Plus, Mantis, or similar).
• Familiarity withBenchlingor other electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) systems.
• Experience supporting high-throughput screening or automation workflows.
• Knowledge of cell therapy, immunology, or molecular biology research.
• Self-motivated with a proactive, detail-oriented approach and a strong sense of ownership.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Flow Cytometry
• Mammalian Cell Culture
• Laboratory Automation

Molecular & Cell Biology, Flow Cytometry, Mammalian Cell Culture, ELN, Liquid Handler