Senior Research Associate, Discovery Biology

ADARx Pharmaceuticals Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Company Match

Performance-based bonuses

Flexible Spending Account

Paid Vacation

Employee Discounts

Job summary

ADARx Pharmaceuticals Inc. seeks a motivated Senior Research Associate to impact patient lives through innovative research. The role involves managing animal colonies and executing in vivo studies, including molecular and cellular assays like qPCR and ELISA.

Ideal candidates will have substantial research experience, including study management and strong attention to detail. The position offers a collaborative environment focused on advancing multiple therapeutic areas.

ADARx promotes a diverse and enriching workplace culture, adhering to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

Qualifications

• 8 years of research experience, 3 years in industry.
• Experience in managing mouse colonies.
• Independently design and analyze bioanalytical assays.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain animal colonies for research.
• Design and execute in vivo studies and associated assays.
• Continuously expand technical expertise and contribute to innovative approaches.

Skills

Hands-on experience in designing and executing in vivo studies

Solid understanding of IACUC regulations

Strong organizational skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Problem-solving skills

Education

BA/BS in Biological Sciences

Tools

qPCR

ELISA

Western blotting

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and organized Senior Research Associate who aspires to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives across multiple therapeutic areas. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Discovery Biology team and contribute to the discovery and development of next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics within a fast‑paced, collaborative, and innovative research environment.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the design and execution of in vivo studies and downstream analyses, including qPCR, ELISA, Western blotting, and other molecular and cellular assays. In addition, this individual will help manage and maintain animal colonies while gaining exposure to a broad range of drug discovery activities. We are looking for a scientifically curious, hands‑on team player who is eager to learn new techniques, expand their skill set, and grow alongside a dynamic research organization.

• Develop and promote a workplace culture that values diversity of thought, promotes integrity and creates an atmosphere that supports coaching and fosters accountability.
• Carry out assigned laboratory functions applying knowledge and skill in an accurate, timely manner.
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with critical collaborative partners throughout the company.
• Contribute to the advancement of preclinical discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas by supporting the design, execution, analysis, and troubleshooting of in vivo studies and associated downstream assays.
• Independently plan and prioritize activities to ensure the timely completion of assigned objectives and project deliverables.
• Manage and maintain mouse colonies, including coordinating study logistics, animal ordering, breeding strategies, and experimental scheduling to support in vivo research programs.
• Track progress against project timelines, generate regular status updates, and communicate progress and issues to management.
• Maintain accurate experiment records in various internal databases and perform basic data analysis.
• Continuously expand technical expertise by learning and implementing new experimental techniques and contributing to the development of innovative research approaches.
• Train and mentor entry‑level staff.
• Manage and maintain equipment, consumables and dedicated laboratory environment needed to carry out assignments; troubleshoot and solve equipment/technical problems.
• Maintain updated and well‑organized lab notebooks.
• Execute daily laboratory operations with an approach designed to minimize risks and hazard waste streams.
• Maintain all appropriate corporate standards for facility safety and hazardous material management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Physical Characteristics

Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case‑by‑case basis.

On‑Site Protocol

Physical presence at the ADARx Pharmaceuticals worksite is a necessary job function of this role, which the Company deems critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, employee well‑being and engagement, and it enhances the Company culture.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Biological sciences and have minimum of 8 years of experience in research, 3 years in industry, or MA/MS plus minimum of 5 years of experience in research, including 3 years in industry.
• Hands‑on experience designing, executing, troubleshooting, and interpreting in vivo studies that support drug discovery and therapeutic development programs.
• Solid understanding of IACUC regulations, animal welfare standards, and best practices for conducting in vivo research.
• Experience managing and maintaining mouse colonies, including animal tracking, breeding coordination, and study management.
• Experience collecting blood and tissue samples from rodents and processing samples for downstream RNA and protein analyses.
• Independently design, perform, analyze, and troubleshoot bioanalytical assays such as qPCR, ELISA, Western blotting, and related molecular biology techniques.
• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail; and effective presentation of complex scientific data to cross‑functional and senior management teams are essential for this role.
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Office Suite Products.

Required Key Attributes

• Must be able to work independently with supervision as needed.
• Proficient at working independently as well as in cross‑functional team settings.
• Adaptable / Flexible - willing and able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities as well as an ability to meet day‑to‑day challenges with confidence and professionalism.
• Self‑motivated with excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills with the ability to take a hands‑on approach to work effectively in a dynamic and collaborative, fast‑paced environment.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a proactive attitude towards exploring new approaches.
• Understanding of project timelines and deliverables and plans/coordinate project work accordingly with departmental, functional, and external stakeholders.

Compensation

• This is a full‑time position, Monday‑Friday.
• Pay is commensurate with experience.
• Equity‑based compensation
• Performance‑based bonuses
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick, Jury Duty, Bereavement

Work Authorization

• United States (Required)
• As a condition of employment, you must successfully complete all post‑offer, pre‑employment requirements, including but not limited to a background check.

ADARx Pharmaceuticals is an EEO employer committed to an exciting, diverse, and enriching work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.