Research Associate I

alleninstitute; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 54,250 - 66,450; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The Allen Institute is seeking a Research Associate to join our Synthetic Enhancer Screening flywheel. You will clone and screen MPRA libraries across cell lines, expanding datasets to train next‑gen DNA design models. The role emphasizes rapid turnaround and high data quality in a collaborative lab environment.

Responsibilities include maintaining cell lines, executing molecular biology protocols, and presenting results to inform internal decisions. Onsite in Seattle, WA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• 2+ years of lab experience preferred.
• Experience with MPRA and DNA design tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and propagate human cell lines, optimize and perform plasmid DNA transfections and viral transductions.
• Execute molecular biology protocols including cloning, flow cytometry, qPCR, ddPCR, Illumina amplicon sequencing, RNA-seq, and scRNA-seq.
• Assist in troubleshooting barriers in generating high-quality NGS libraries from library delivery to cell lines through library generation.
• Contribute to development of new protocols as needed.
• Present results and summarize progress to inform internal decisions.
• Comply with SOPs, GLP-like practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Adhere to a team schedule and manage time effectively.
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation using established methods.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Molecular biology techniques

Cell culture

Experimental design

Team collaboration

Data quality management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Genetics, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or related field

Tools

Illumina sequencing

MPRA

qPCR

Flow cytometry

Gibson Assembly

Golden Gate assembly

Job description

Research Associate I – Synthetic Enhancer Screening

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

Join our artificial intelligence powered lab, an initiative at the intersection of academic creativity and start‑up style execution. Our mission is to apply machine learning to biological design. Join us as we build a series of interconnected design‑test‑loop "flywheels" that enable design of synthetic enhancers, protein binders, and more.

We are looking for a Research Associate to join our synthetic enhancer flywheel, responsible for expanding our ability to rapidly build datasets that will train the next generation of DNA design machine learning models. Scarcity of high‑quality training data is a major barrier to building the best DNA design models. Thus, you will help to optimize your flywheel’s experimental turn‑around‑time and data quality. To assist this flywheel team, the Research Associate will be working in the laboratory to clone and screen Massively Parallel Reporter Assay (MPRA) libraries in a variety of cell lines.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly. We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Maintain and propagate human cell lines, optimize and perform plasmid DNA transfections and viral transductions
• Execute molecular biology protocols, including molecular cloning, flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, ddPCR, Illumina amplicon sequencing, RNA‑seq, single cell RNA‑seq
• Assist in troubleshooting technical barriers in the generation of high quality NGS libraries, from library delivery to cell lines through NGS library generation
• Contribute to the development of new protocols as needed
• Present results and summarize progress to help frame internal decision‑making
• Comply with SOPs, good laboratory practices, and regulatory requirements
• Adhere to a team schedule and individual time management
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation using established methods
• Other duties as assigned

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Genetics, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or related field

Preferred Education and Experience

• 2 years of equivalent experience
• Experience with stem cell culture
• Experience performing molecular biology methods including molecular cloning (such as restriction cloning, Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate assembly, plasmid prep)
• Experience cloning complex libraries is a plus
• RNA isolation, DNA isolation, and PCR
• Track‑record of being an effective team member
• Experience with nucleic acid sequencing, especially custom amplicon sequencing
• Experience performing cell biology methods including mammalian cell culture, stem cell culture, primary cell culture, nucleofection, and lipofection

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office/lab equipment

Work Environment

• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel or reach
• Possible exposure and handling of laboratory animals
• Laboratory atmosphere – possible exposure to chemical, biological or other hazardous substances

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role requires onsite work and is expected to work onsite for the majority of the working hours. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for Allen Institute employees is 700 Dexter Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Travel

• The successful candidate may be invited to attend occasional national and international conferences

Additional Comments

• Please note, this opportunity may offer relocation assistance
• Please note, this opportunity does not provide work visa sponsorship

Annualized Salary Range

• $54,250 - $66,450 *

* Final salary depends on required education for the role, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.