Research Associate I – Compound Management & Protein Sciences

JLSa2 Therapeutics; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

JLSa2 Therapeutics in South San Francisco is seeking a Research Associate I to support drug discovery programs through compound management, sample preparation, and routine protein science activities.

The role focuses on receiving, tracking, preparing, storing, and distributing research materials and ensuring teams have well-documented specimens for internal studies. You will also assist with protein characterization and maintain orderly lab operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 0–2 years of relevant laboratory experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, or an academic laboratory.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage and accurately track large numbers of research samples.
• Comfortable performing laboratory calculations involving concentrations, dilutions, and molarity.
• Experience with basic laboratory techniques including pipetting, buffer preparation, weighing reagents, and preparation of stock solutions.
• Ability to carefully follow established procedures and maintain accurate documentation.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across multiple scientific teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced research environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate inventory and tracking of research compounds and biological materials, including quantities, concentrations, storage locations, and material usage.
• Receive incoming research materials and ensure they are properly documented, labeled, stored, and entered into appropriate inventory systems.
• Prepare stock solutions, working solutions, and aliquots for use by internal research teams.
• Perform calculations related to concentrations, dilutions, and material requirements.
• Coordinate distribution of research materials while maintaining accurate records of material usage.
• Monitor inventory levels and proactively identify materials that require replenishment.
• Maintain organized freezer, refrigerator, and laboratory storage systems.
• Help establish and improve systems for sample requests, aliquoting, tracking, and distribution.
• Maintain material traceability, including identity, concentration, formulation, storage conditions, and handling history where appropriate.
• Assist with routine protein sample preparation and characterization.
• Perform protein concentration measurements and sample normalization.
• Prepare buffers, reagents, and solutions used in protein science workflows.
• Support routine analytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, chromatography sample preparation, and protein quantification.
• Assist with protein purification and sample-processing activities, including buffer exchange, dialysis, filtration, concentration, and aliquoting.
• Support preparation of samples for biochemical and biophysical characterization.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure commonly used reagents and consumables are adequately stocked.
• Follow established protocols and contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory procedures.
• Maintain complete and accurate records in electronic laboratory notebooks, inventory systems, and other internal databases.
• Ensure samples are appropriately labeled and traceable throughout their lifecycle.
• Coordinate with scientists across multiple functions to understand upcoming material requirements and ensure samples are available when needed.
• Support general laboratory organization and contribute to a safe, efficient, and collaborative laboratory environment.
• Assist with additional laboratory activities as needed to support research programs.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Manage large numbers of samples

Laboratory calculations

Effective communication

Multitasking in fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or related discipline

Job description

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Research Associate I to support our drug discovery programs through compound management, sample preparation, and routine protein science activities.

This role will be primarily responsible for receiving, tracking, preparing, storing, and distributing research materials used across internal studies. The Research Associate will help ensure that project teams have appropriately prepared and well-documented materials available when needed.

The position will also provide hands-on support for routine protein science and biochemistry workflows. This is an ideal opportunity for an early-career scientist who enjoys laboratory work, organization, and supporting multiple scientific teams in a fast-paced biotechnology environment.

Key Responsibilities

Compound and Sample Management

• Maintain accurate inventory and tracking of research compounds and biological materials, including quantities, concentrations, storage locations, and material usage.
• Receive incoming research materials and ensure they are properly documented, labeled, stored, and entered into appropriate inventory systems.
• Prepare stock solutions, working solutions, and aliquots for use by internal research teams.
• Perform calculations related to concentrations, dilutions, and material requirements.
• Coordinate distribution of research materials while maintaining accurate records of material usage.
• Monitor inventory levels and proactively identify materials that require replenishment.
• Maintain organized freezer, refrigerator, and laboratory storage systems.
• Help establish and improve systems for sample requests, aliquoting, tracking, and distribution.
• Maintain material traceability, including identity, concentration, formulation, storage conditions, and handling history where appropriate.

Protein Science and Biochemistry Support

• Assist with routine protein sample preparation and characterization.
• Perform protein concentration measurements and sample normalization.
• Prepare buffers, reagents, and solutions used in protein science workflows.
• Support routine analytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, chromatography sample preparation, and protein quantification.
• Assist with protein purification and sample-processing activities, including buffer exchange, dialysis, filtration, concentration, and aliquoting.
• Support preparation of samples for biochemical and biophysical characterization.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure commonly used reagents and consumables are adequately stocked.
• Follow established protocols and contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory procedures.

Documentation and Laboratory Operations

• Maintain complete and accurate records in electronic laboratory notebooks, inventory systems, and other internal databases.
• Ensure samples are appropriately labeled and traceable throughout their lifecycle.
• Coordinate with scientists across multiple functions to understand upcoming material requirements and ensure samples are available when needed.
• Support general laboratory organization and contribute to a safe, efficient, and collaborative laboratory environment.
• Assist with additional laboratory activities as needed to support research programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 0–2 years of relevant laboratory experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, or an academic laboratory.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage and accurately track large numbers of research samples.
• Comfortable performing laboratory calculations involving concentrations, dilutions, and molarity.
• Experience with basic laboratory techniques including pipetting, buffer preparation, weighing reagents, and preparation of stock solutions.
• Ability to carefully follow established procedures and maintain accurate documentation.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across multiple scientific teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with compound management, sample management, or laboratory inventory systems.
• Experience handling proteins or other biological research materials.
• Familiarity with protein characterization techniques such as SDS-PAGE, chromatography, and UV-based protein concentration measurements.
• Experience with protein purification, buffer exchange, centrifugal concentrators, or chromatography systems.
• Familiarity with electronic laboratory notebooks or scientific inventory/database systems.
• Experience working in a biotechnology or drug discovery environment.