Senior Research Associate

Yoh Services LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision

Health Savings Account

Life & Disability Insurance

401K Retirement Savings Plan

Direct Deposit & weekly e-payroll

Referral Bonus Programs

Certification and training

Job summary

Yoh Life Sciences in San Diego, CA is hiring a Senior Research Associate to lead cell-based screening and assay development for Neuroscience programs. The role focuses on HTS/HCS assays, MOA studies, and hit-to-lead efforts, with in‑depth work on neuronal cells including iPSC-derived neurons.

The successful candidate will design and optimize in vitro assays, analyze complex data, and collaborate with medicinal chemistry, biology, and pharmacology teams to advance drug discovery programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, or a related discipline.
• Cell-based screening experience, including high-throughput and/or high-content screening, ideally in an industry setting.
• Experience with neuronal cell culture, preferably human stem cell–derived NPCs and neurons.
• Proficient in immunofluorescence.
• Hands-on experience with assay development and optimization.
• Familiarity with automated liquid handling and screening platforms.
• Strong data analysis, troubleshooting, and experimental design skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing within cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute primary high-throughput screening (HTS) assays.
• Optimize and run counter-screens and SAR assays to triage and characterize hits from primary screening campaigns.
• Develop and optimize in vitro assays using human iPSC-derived neurons to support MOA studies.
• Analyze, interpret, and clearly present experimental data to project teams.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry, biology, and pharmacology teams to advance programs.
• Maintain detailed experimental documentation and ensure high scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Skills

Cell-based screening

HTS/HCS screening

Neuronal cell culture

Immunofluorescence

Assay development

Automated liquid handling

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Biology/Neuroscience/Pharmacology

Job description

Yoh Life Sciences is hiring a for Senior Research Associate, Neuroscience / Cell-Based Screening in San Diego, CA.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associatewith strong expertise in cell-based screening and assay developmentto support drug discovery programs focused on neuronal targets. The ideal candidate will bring hands‑on experience with high-throughput and high-content screening, preferably in an industry setting, and will play a key role in assay development, screening execution, and hit-to-lead activities.

Title: Sr. Research Associate

Location: San Diego proper

Pay: $40 - 50/hr. DOE

Schedule: M-F 9-5pm

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute primary high-throughput screening (HTS) assays
• Optimize and run counter-screens and SAR assaysto triage and characterize hits from primary screening campaigns
• Develop and optimize in vitro assaysusing human iPSC-derived neurons
  to support mechanism-of-action (MOA)studies
• Analyze, interpret, and clearly present experimental data to project teams
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry, biology, and pharmacology teams to advance programs
• Maintain detailed experimental documentation and ensure high scientific rigor and reproducibility

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, or a related discipline
• Cell-based screening experience, including high‑throughput and/or high‑content screening, ideally in an industry setting
• Experience with neuronal cell culture, with preference for human stem cell–derived NPCs and neurons
• Proficient in immunofluorescence
• Hands‑on experience with assay development and optimization
• Familiarity with automated liquid handling and screening platforms
• Strong data analysis, troubleshooting, and experimental design skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within cross‑functional teams

Preferred Skills

• Experience with flow cytometry
• Exposure to drug discovery workflows, including HTS, SAR, and lead optimization
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced, collaborative research environment

Estimated Min Rate: $40.00

Estimated Max Rate: $50.00

Benefits

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Benefits (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
• Life & Disability Insurance (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
• MetLife Voluntary Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401K Retirement Savings Plan
• Direct Deposit & weekly epayroll
• Referral Bonus Programs
• Certification and training opportunities

Note: Any pay ranges displayed are estimations. Actual pay is determined by an applicant's experience, technical expertise, and other qualifications as listed in the job description. All qualified applicants are welcome to apply.

Yoh, a Day & Zimmermann company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Visit https://www.yoh.com/applicants-with-disabilities to contact us if you are an individual with a disability and require accommodation in the application process.

For California applicants, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. All of the material job duties described in this posting are job duties for which a criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.

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