Senior Research Associate

Planet Pharma; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma seeks a Senior Research Associate to advance translational oncology and immuno-oncology programs. This hands-on role emphasizes organoid and mammalian cell culture, immune-cell assays, and robust data generation.

The successful candidate will design, execute, and analyze experiments using organoid/tumoroid models, primary samples, and immune-based readouts, collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams in a fast-paced lab.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a biomedical field.
• 1–2 years of research experience in lab settings.
• Hands-on organoid culture or other 3D models.
• Mammalian cell culture experience with sterile technique.
• Experience with T cell biology and immune cell assays.
• Familiarity with TDCC, ADCC, cytokine release or related assays.

Responsibilities

• Culture and characterize mammalian cells, organoids, and tumoroids.
• Conduct molecular, cellular, and immunology assays for oncology programs.
• Design/execute experiments using qPCR, ELISA, Western blot, imaging, viability and cytokine assays.
• Develop and optimize organoid/tumoroid assays with primary samples when available.
• Perform immune-cell-based functional assays (T cell activation, killing) and flow cytometry.
• Prepare samples, analyze data, and communicate results to project teams.
• Troubleshoot assays and contribute improvements.

Skills

T cell biology

Organoid culture

Mammalian cell culture

Immunoassays

qPCR

ELISA

Flow cytometry

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, or related

Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, or related

Tools

Flow cytometry

qPCR

ELISA

Western blotting

GraphPad Prism

Job description

At this company, we are united by a single purpose: to positively impact patients’ lives by turning innovative science into meaningful medicines. Our research and development organization focuses on areas of high unmet medical need, including oncology, immuno-oncology, genetic regulation, regeneration, and other areas where new therapeutic approaches can make a real difference.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate to join our research team and contribute to translational oncology and immuno-oncology programs. This role is ideal for a hands-on scientist with strong experience in advanced cellular models, mammalian cell culture, organoids, T cell biology, and molecular, cellular, and immune-based functional assays.

Position Summary

The Senior Research Associate will design, execute, and analyze experiments that support discovery and translational research programs in solid tumor biology and immuno-oncology. The successful candidate will work closely with scientists and cross-functional partners to generate high-quality data using organoid, tumoroid, primary sample, mammalian cell culture, and immune-cell-based assay systems.

This is a laboratory-based role requiring strong technical execution, careful experimental documentation, and the ability to troubleshoot complex biological systems. The ideal candidate is scientifically curious, collaborative, organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Culture, maintain, expand, and characterize mammalian cell lines, organoids, tumoroids, and other advanced 2D/3D cellular models.
• Perform molecular, cellular, and immunology-based assays to support oncology and immuno-oncology research programs.
• Design and execute experiments using techniques such as qPCR, ELISA, Western blotting, imaging-based assays, viability/proliferation assays, cytokine assays, and other standard molecular biology and immunoassay workflows.
• Support development and optimization of organoid/tumoroid assays using solid tumor models and, where applicable, patient-derived or primary samples.
• Conduct immune-cell-based functional assays, including T cell activation, T cell killing, TDCC, ADCC, cytokine release, and related immuno-oncology assays.
• Conduct flow cytometry experiments, including sample preparation, staining, acquisition, and analysis, where relevant to program needs.
• Work with primary immune cells and/or tumor samples to evaluate immune-mediated anti-tumor activity.
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental results to project teams.
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges and contribute ideas for assay improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 1-2 year of research experience in an academic or industry lab.
• Hands-on experience with organoid culture or other advanced 3D cellular model systems.
• Strong experience with mammalian cell culture, including sterile technique, cell maintenance, expansion, banking, and assay preparation.
• Experience with T cell biology and immune-cell-based assay systems.
• Working knowledge of current molecular, cellular, and immunology-based assays.
• Experience with functional immunoassays such as TDCC, ADCC, T cell activation, immune-cell killing assays, cytokine release assays, or related workflows.
• Ability to generate reliable, reproducible data and communicate results clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, or a related field.
• Experience with flow cytometry, including staining panel execution, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Experience working with primary human samples, patient-derived models, organoids, tumoroids, primary immune cells, or ex vivo tumor systems.
• Experience in solid tumor biology, tumor microenvironment biology, cancer immunology, or translational oncology.
• Experience developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting immune-cell-based functional assays in complex tumor or co-culture systems.
• Familiarity with assay development, optimization, and troubleshooting in complex biological systems.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, Excel, or similar platforms.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a rigorous experimentalist who enjoys hands-on lab work and takes ownership of generating high-quality data. They are comfortable working with complex cellular and immune-cell-based systems, including organoids, tumoroids, primary samples, and T cell functional assays. They can manage multiple experiments in parallel, troubleshoot challenging biology, and communicate clearly with scientific colleagues. They bring both technical depth and a collaborative mindset, with a strong interest in applying tumor biology and immunology to the development of new therapies for patients with cancer.