Research Associate I

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

Job summary

Dawar Consulting, Inc. in Foster City, CA is seeking a Research Associate I to support automation and flow cytometry in a fast-paced biotech environment. The role focuses on cell culture, assay automation, and data collection to advance cell therapy research.

The ideal candidate will contribute to high-throughput workflows, maintain instruments, and collaborate across teams to generate high-quality data while adhering to safety and documentation standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related life sciences with 6–12 months of lab experience.
• Master's degree in a related field is acceptable with no prior industry experience required.
• Basic understanding of laboratory automation systems and liquid handling platforms.
• Fundamental knowledge of flow cytometry principles and applications.
• Hands-on aseptic mammalian cell culture experience with adherent and suspension lines.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize automated workflows for high-throughput cell-based assays.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot lab automation platforms including Bravo, Assist Plus, and Mantis.
• Perform QC, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of flow cytometry instruments.
• Conduct aseptic mammalian cell culture of both adherent and suspension cell lines.
• Execute experiments per established protocols and document results accurately.
• Collaborate with scientists and cross-functional teams to meet milestones.
• Manage laboratory inventory, reagents, and equipment; maintain records in ELN.
• Ensure compliance with safety procedures and 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 Liquid Handler

Assist Plus

Mantis

Benchling ELN

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