Research Associate - Vector Core

Merge Labs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Merge Labs, a frontier research lab, seeks a Research Associate to establish and operate our AAV vector core for preclinical testing.

You will perform production workflows, QC analyses, and documentation to ensure high-quality, traceable vectors delivered on schedule. This role emphasizes reproducibility, SOP improvement, and cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• BS/BA/MS in a scientific or engineering field.
• Mammalian tissue culture and aseptic technique experience.
• Experience with AAV, lentivirus, biologics production or similar workflows emphasizing traceability.
• Protein/DNA handling skills: plasmid prep, cloning, PCR, sequencing verification.
• Experience with QC assays such as qPCR, SDS-PAGE, sequencing-based QC or ddPCR.
• Strong documentation habits and record-keeping in ELN/LIMS systems.
• Ability to follow SOPs, document deviations, and maintain multiple samples and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Run weekly AAV production workflows from cell culture to harvest, purification, concentration, and handoff.
• Perform QC assays to assess vector titer, purity, genome integrity, and lot-to-lot consistency.
• Prepare plasmid DNA and support molecular biology workflows for AAV constructs and production plasmids.
• Translate vector production requests into organized production runs, timelines, and handoffs.
• Maintain accurate lot records, sample metadata, QC results, deviations, and process data in an ELN.
• Maintain organized inventories of plasmids, cells, vector lots, and reagents.
• Follow SOPs for vector production and update them as workflows improve.
• Recognize, document, and communicate deviations from expected production or QC outcomes.
• Troubleshoot production issues and contribute to practical process improvements.
• As team needs evolve, support related viral or non-viral delivery workflows.

Skills

Mammalian tissue culture

Aseptic technique

AAV production

Lentivirus production

Molecular biology

PCR / cloning

qPCR / ddPCR

SDS-PAGE / QC assays

ELN / LIMS documentation

SOP compliance

Automation workflows

Education

BS/BA/MS in a scientific or engineering field

Tools

ELN

LIMS

Job description

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab with the mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability, agency and experience. We're pursuing this goal by developing fundamentally new approaches to brain-computer interfaces that interact with the brain at high bandwidth, integrate with advanced AI, and are ultimately safe and accessible for anyone to use.

About the team:

The Delivery team develops the viral and non-viral delivery technologies that enable Merge's next-generation neurotechnology platform. By partnering closely with bioengineering, neuroscience, and in vivo teams, we create delivery systems that support rapid preclinical testing while advancing the platform toward safe and effective human translation.

We are establishing an in-house AAV vector core to deliver reliable, high-quality vector production for program teams. The core focuses on consistent execution, careful documentation, and continuous improvement so teams can move quickly while maintaining strong experimental reproducibility.

About the role:

We are seeking a Research Associate to help establish, operate, and improve our AAV vector core. This is a hands-on production role that requires strong mammalian tissue culture skills, attention to detail, and a service-oriented mindset. In this role, you will produce small lots of AAV for pre-clinical testing, perform QC assays, maintain complete lot records, and coordinate with scientists across internal programs. Success means that teams receive consistent, high-quality vectors on predictable timelines, production and QC data are accurate and traceable, SOPs are followed and improved, and routine workflows become easier to run reliably over time. This role is well suited for someone who takes pride in repeatable execution and process improvement.

In this role, you will:

• Run weekly AAV production workflows from mammalian cell culture and transfection through harvest, purification, concentration, aliquoting, and sample handoff.
• Perform QC assays to assess vector titer, purity, genome integrity, and lot-to-lot consistency.
• Prepare plasmid DNA and support molecular biology workflows for AAV constructs and production plasmids.
• Translate vector production requests into organized production runs, timelines, and handoffs.
• Maintain accurate lot records, sample metadata, QC results, deviations, and process data in an ELN.
• Maintain organized inventories of plasmids, cells, vector lots, and reagents.
• Follow SOPs for vector production and update them as workflows improve.
• Recognize, document, and communicate deviations from expected production or QC outcomes.
• Troubleshoot production issues and contribute to practical process improvements.
• As team needs evolve, support related viral or non-viral delivery workflows.

You might thrive in this role if you have:

• A BS, BA, or MS in a scientific, engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian tissue culture and aseptic technique.
• Experience with AAV, lentivirus, biologics production, or another biological workflow where reproducibility and sample tracking are critical.
• Practical molecular biology experience, such as plasmid preparation, cloning, PCR, and sequence verification.
• Experience running analytical or QC assays. Relevant examples include qPCR, SDS-PAGE, sequencing-based QC, ddPCR, or related methods.
• Strong documentation habits and experience maintaining accurate sample, lot, and process records in an ELN, LIMS, or another structured sample-tracking system.
• Experience following SOPs, recognizing deviations, and communicating issues early.
• An organized approach to managing multiple samples, assays, requests, and timelines.
• A collaborative, service-oriented mindset and motivation to make repeated workflows more reliable and efficient over time.
• Hands-on experience developing or engaging with automation workflows.
• Motivation to contribute in a fast-paced environment tackling frontier scientific and technical challenges.

If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification, As we build, we're hiring for complementary strengths to form a high-impact team.

For more information about hiring at Merge, please visit our Hiring FAQ

Merge Labs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family status, ancestry, citizenship, U.S. military (state and federal) and veteran status, or any other legally protected status. It is our intention that all applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job related factors. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made by emailing [e-mail].

Compensation Range: $95K - $120K