Research Associate I

Veracyte; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Veracyte, a global diagnostics company, seeks a Research Associate I in South San Francisco to support development of next-generation MRD assays from concept to clinical lab implementation.

You will perform experimental activities supporting assay development, optimization, automation, and validation readiness in a fast-paced product development environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biology, Biotechnology, or related field.
• 0-2 years of laboratory experience in biotech or regulated lab environment.
• Basic molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR, qPCR.
• Familiarity with NGS workflows and genomic technologies is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support development, optimization, verification, and transfer of NGS-based MRD assays.
• Execute laboratory experiments and routine testing per SOPs and study plans.
• Prepare and process clinical and contrived samples for assay development.
• Document procedures, observations, and results in notebooks and systems.
• Maintain lab organization, inventory, and supplies to support development activities.

Job description

Research & Development (R&D)

At Veracyte, we offer exciting career opportunities for those interested in joining a pioneering team that is committed to transforming cancer care for patients across the globe. Working at Veracyte enables our employees to not only make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, but to also learn and grow within a purpose drivenenvironment. This is what we call the Veracyte way– it’s about how we work together, guided by our values, to give clinicians the insights they need to help patients make life-changing decisions.

Our Values:

• We Seek A Better Way: We pursue bold ideas, embrace complexity, and keep pushing forward.
• We Make It Happen: We act with urgency, deliver with excellence, and always find a way.
• We Are Stronger Together: We engage with empathy, align around what's best for Veracyte, and celebrate as one team.
• We Care Deeply: We show up with integrity, kindness, and respect for one another.

The Position:

We are seeking a motivated Research Associate I to support the development of next-generation MRD assays from concept through clinical laboratory implementation. This laboratory-based individual contributor will perform experimental activities supporting assay development, workflow optimization, automation, and validation readiness. The ideal candidate is excited to build hands‑on experience with molecular biology and NGS technologies while contributing to innovative diagnostic products in a collaborative and fast‑paced product development environment.

Responsibilities

• Support development, optimization, verification, and transfer activities for NGS-based MRD assays under the guidance of scientists and senior technical team members.
• Support the execution of laboratory experiments and routine testing activities following established protocols, SOPs, and study plans.
• Prepare, process, and characterize clinical and contrived samples for assay development, verification, and validation studies.
• Perform molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid extraction, quantification, library preparation, PCR, and NGS-related workflows.
• Accurately document experimental procedures, observations, and results in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems.
• Maintain laboratory organization, inventory, reagents, equipment, and supplies to support development activities.
• Assist with collection, organization, and basic analysis of experimental data.
• Support qualification, validation, and technology transfer activities through laboratory execution and documentation.
• Participate in assay troubleshooting and process improvement activities under the direction of senior team members.
• Collaborate effectively with Product Development, Operations, Clinical Laboratory, Automation, and other cross-functional teams to support project objectives.

Who You Are:

• Early‑career scientist with a strong interest in molecular diagnostics, genomics, and assay development.
• Hands‑on laboratory contributor who enjoys learning new techniques and executing experiments with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Familiar with basic molecular biology and biochemistry principles and eager to apply scientific concepts in a product development environment.
• Organized and reliable team member who follows established procedures and maintains high-quality documentation.
• Effective problem solver who can identify issues, seek guidance when appropriate, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced laboratory environment with multiple concurrent priorities.
• Strong collaborator who works well with colleagues across scientific and operational functions.
• Clear communicator with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Adaptable and eager to learn new technologies, methods, and workflows.
• Passionate about developing diagnostic products that improve outcomes for cancer patients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biology, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 0-2 years of laboratory experience in an academic, biotechnology, diagnostics, or regulated laboratory environment.
• Hands‑on experience with basic molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR, qPCR, quantification, or sample preparation.
• Familiarity with NGS workflows and genomic technologies is desirable.
• Experience maintaining accurate laboratory records and following established procedures and protocols.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and basic data analysis tools.
• Experience working with clinical sample types, including blood, plasma, tissue, or FFPE specimens, is a plus.
• Exposure to regulated laboratory environments (CAP/CLIA, design control, quality systems) is desirable.
• Interest in oncology diagnostics, liquid biopsy, ctDNA, or MRD technologies is a plus.

#LI-Onsite

For candidates based in our South San Francisco office, the hourly range is $36-$40.

The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to years of experience, skillset, geographic location, industry, education, etc. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Pay range

$36 — $40 USD

What We Can Offer You

Veracyte is a growing company that offers significant career opportunities if you are curious, driven, patient-oriented and aspire to help us build a great company. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, and are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce, where diverse backgrounds are represented, engaged, and empowered to drive innovative ideas and decisions. We are thrilled to be recognized as a 2024 Certified™ Great Place to Work ® in both the US and Israel - a testament to our dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring workplace where passion meets purpose.

About Veracyte

Veracyte(Nasdaq: VCYT) is a global diagnostics company whose vision is to transform cancer care for patients all over the world. We empower clinicians with the high-value insights they need to guide and assure patients at pivotal moments in the race to diagnose and treat cancer. Our Veracyte Diagnostics Platform delivers high‑performing cancer tests that are fueled by broad genomic and clinical data, deep bioinformatic and AI capabilities, and a powerful evidence‑generation engine, which ultimately drives durable reimbursement and guideline inclusion for our tests, along with new insights to support continued innovation and pipeline development. For more information, please visitwww.veracyte.com or follow us onLinkedIn orX (Twitter) .

Veracyte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. Veracyte participates in E-Verify in the United States. View our CCPA Disclosure Notice