Senior Research Associate – Advanced Cell Models & Assay Operations

Blackbird Laboratories; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NCAC is seeking a Senior Research Associate to support validation studies through hands-on laboratory operations, including maintenance of 2D/3D cell cultures and organ-on-chip systems. This role executes studies under established SOPs, maintains audit-ready documentation, and supports QC and automation workflows across the laboratory.

The position offers a 12-month contract with potential to convert to a permanent role, starting September 1, 2026, in Baltimore, MD.

Qualifications

• BS/MS with typically 4+ years relevant experience.
• Experience with SOP development and quality systems (GLP/GCLP/GMP) is valued.
• Audit-ready documentation and reproducible workflows are essential.

Responsibilities

• Execute studies under SOPs.
• Support QC and lab operations.
• Assist automation workflows.

Education

BS/MS with typically 4+ years relevant experience

Job description

Position: 12-month contract, with potential to convert to a permanent role; On-site, Baltimore, MD

Anticipated start date: September 1, 2026

Expected salary range $60,000-$90,000, commensurate with experience

ABOUT NCAC

The National Center to Accelerate Cures (NCAC) is an independent nonprofit institute dedicated to accelerating the regulatory acceptance and commercial adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). NCAC works with technology developers, regulators, industry and academic partners to generate the evidence needed to validate promising NAMs for regulatory decision-making. In its first year, NCAC will validate its first NAMs, establish shared standards for the field, and build the data infrastructure needed to support regulatory review at scale.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Research Associate will support NCAC's validation studies through hands‑on laboratory operations, including maintenance of 2D/3D cell cultures and organ‑on‑chip systems. This role executes studies under established SOPs, maintains audit‑ready documentation, and supports quality control and automation workflows across the laboratory.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute studies under SOPs.
• Support QC and lab operations.
• Assist automation workflows.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS/MS with typically 4+ years relevant experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

COMMITMENT TO SCIENTIFIC QUALITY & REGULATORY RIGOR

Successful candidates will have experience working within structured scientific environments where reproducibility, standardized workflows, traceability, data integrity, and documentation are essential. Experience with SOP development, GLP/GCLP/GMP or comparable quality systems, validation studies, and audit‑ready documentation is highly valued.

WHAT YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 60 DAYS

• Assist with laboratory setup, organization, inventory management, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Establish routine laboratory operations, including inventory management, reagent preparation, sample tracking, and equipment maintenance.
• Support implementation of NCAC's electronic laboratory notebook (ELN), documentation workflows, and quality systems.
• Receive, organize, and prepare laboratory supplies, consumables, reagents, reference compounds, and biological materials.
• Establish routine cell culture workflows and perform initial control experiments to verify laboratory readiness and reproducibility.
• Support optimization of assay execution, automation workflows, and laboratory documentation.
• Help create a laboratory environment that is organized, reproducible, and audit-ready from the outset.

SUCCESS IN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS

• Support efficient laboratory operations.