Senior Research Associate – 3D Tumor Models & IO

Crystal Equation Corporation; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Crystal Equation Corporation seeks a Senior Research Associate to design and execute experiments supporting discovery and translational programs in solid tumor biology and immuno-oncology. You will work with scientists to generate high-quality data using organoids, tumoroids, primary samples, mammalian cell culture, and immune-cell assays.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, meticulous documentation, and collaboration in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to contribute to assay

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 1-2 years 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.

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.

Skills

Organoid culture

Mammalian cell culture

T cell biology

Immunology

Data interpretation

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Flow cytometry

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

Excel

Job description

Crystal Equation Corporation seeks a Senior Research Associate to design and execute experiments supporting discovery and translational programs in solid tumor biology and immuno-oncology. You will work with scientists to generate high-quality data using organoids, tumoroids, primary samples, mammalian cell culture, and immune-cell assays.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, meticulous documentation, and collaboration in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to contribute to assay