Senior Research Associate

Chordoma Foundation; Durham (NC); Presencial; USD 70 000 - 100 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

The Chordoma Foundation seeks a Senior Research Associate to accelerate drug discovery for chordoma. This on-site role will independently maintain cancer cell lines, design assays, analyze results, and prepare reports for internal leadership and external partners.

Based in Durham, NC, the ideal candidate has at least two years in biotech/pharma, strong technical skills, meticulous records, and the ability to manage multiple projects while meeting timelines.

Qualificações

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology or related field (PhD not considered).
• At least two years of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO industry experience.
• Experience with cancer cell line culture and aseptic technique.
• Hands-on experience independently running mammalian cell-based assays.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols precisely.
• Excellent data interpretation and ability to present results clearly.

Responsabilidades

• Independently maintain multiple cancer cell lines in culture.
• Plan and perform high-throughput cell-based assays to evaluate drug candidates.
• Perform western blotting, RT-PCR, and other molecular biology assays.
• Analyze data, troubleshoot, and optimize experimental conditions.

Conhecimentos

Mammalian cell assays

Data analysis

Aseptic technique

Multitasking

Communication skills

Report writing

Formação académica

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology

Ferramentas

Western blotting

RT-PCR

Descrição da oferta de emprego

The Chordoma Foundation is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Research Associate to help advance the discovery of new drugs for chordoma, a rare type of bone cancer. At the beginning of 2022, we launched a research lab – one of the first of its kind for any cancer – at BioLabs in Durham, NC to accelerate chordoma R&D at a pace consistent with the urgency felt by patients and their families. Faced with growing demand, we are expanding our team to catalyze the discovery of new therapeutic strategies that target Brachyury (TBXT), a transcription factor essential to the proliferation of chordoma cells. The Senior Research Associate will play a significant role in our drug discovery efforts by independently executing cell-based assays, documenting and analyzing results, and generating high-quality reports for external industry partners on project-driven timelines. The role requires strong technical proficiency, experienced scientific judgment, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced drug discovery environment.

Specifically, the Senior Research Associate will:

• Support the discovery and optimization of molecules by conducting cell-based screening assays and related discovery biology experiments
• Design and independently execute experiments, analyze data, and generate reports summarizing experimental results
• Regularly present data to internal and external team members
• Join a growing laboratory with a unique and exciting opportunity to make a transformative impact on chordoma drug discovery

Position Overview

• Full-time, on-site laboratory position
• Occasional travel (2-3 times per year) required for team meetings and research conferences
• Reports to a Senior Scientist
• Flexible work schedule and attractive benefits package
• Preferred start date in December 2026

Responsibilities

• Independently maintain multiple cancer cell lines in culture concurrently
• Plan and perform high-throughput cell-based assays to evaluate drug candidates, including gene reporter, protein degradation, and cell viability assays
• Perform western blotting, RT-PCR, and other molecular biology assays
• Independently analyze and interpret experimental data, assess data quality, troubleshoot assay performance, and optimize experimental conditions as needed
• Maintain rigorous, clear, and auditable experimental documentation, including protocols, sample identities, plate layouts, raw data, analyses, and conclusions
• Prepare high-quality reports, figures, and data summaries for internal leadership
• Translate project objectives into experimental plans, coordinating assay timelines and priorities to meet internal and external project milestones
• Support other chordoma and TBXT discovery biology projects both internally and with external research partners, including translational drug repurposing experiments

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, cancer biology, cell biology, or a related field. Doctorate-level candidates will not be considered.
• At least two years of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO industry experience.
• Significant experience with cancer cell line culture is required, along with strong aseptic technique and an ability to maintain multiple cell lines and reliably execute parallel experiments.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience independently running mammalian cell-based assays is required
• Experience working in a fast-paced research environment and delivering high-quality experimental data on deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to follow protocols precisely, maintain accurate records, track samples, document experimental parameters, and identify data or documentation inconsistencies.
• Ability to effectively multitask, prioritize, adapt to changing project needs, and deliver high-quality results across multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience analyzing experimental data and preparing clear, professional figures, summaries, and reports is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate results, experimental issues, and recommended next steps clearly and effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Must be legally authorized for employment in the U.S. and able to relocate to the Durham, North Carolina area. We are not able to sponsor visas at this time.

Compensation and Benefits

The Chordoma Foundation offers a competitive salary and benefits package including:

• 100% employer-sponsored health and dental insurance plans
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Retirement 401(k) plan with company matching
• 11 company holidays plus 20 days of annual paid time off
• Eligibility for paid sabbaticals after 5 and 10 years of tenure
• Support for professional development, learning, and skills building
• Highly nimble, efficient, and tech-enabled work environment
• Personal connection with the patients and families whose lives your work will touch