Senior Research Associate/Scientist

ClinLab Solutions Group; Brisbane (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ClinLab Solutions Group in San Mateo County, California, seeks a hands-on Senior Research Associate/Scientist to support research-scale AAV production for in vitro and preclinical studies. You will lead upstream cell culture, purification, and QC, delivering well-characterized AAV material for research needs.

You will manage mammalian producer cells, perform transfection, ultracentrifugation, and chromatography-based purification, while maintaining rigorous records and SOPs in a on-site

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant scientific field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and expand mammalian producer cells, execute transfection and AAV production workflows, and oversee multiple research-scale batches.

Skills

recombinant AAV production

mammalian cell culture

transfection

aseptic technique

CsCl ultracentrifugation

chromatography

buffer exchange

qPCR

capsid ELISA

UNICORN software

Education

B.S. or M.S. in molecular biology/biochemistry/biotechnology/biotech eng

Tools

ÄKTA systems

UNICON/UNICORN software

HPLC/UPLC

tangential flow filtration

Job description

Job Title: Senior Research Associate/Scientist

Work Location:

San Mateo County, California

Summary:

Seeking a hands-on laboratory professional to support research-scale recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) production for in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies. This role involves upstream cell culture, purification, material preparation, and quality control, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver well-characterized AAV material for research needs.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and expand mammalian producer cells, execute transfection and AAV production workflows, and oversee multiple research-scale batches.


• Prepare reagents and buffers, perform harvest, cell lysis, nuclease treatment, and clarification steps as needed.


• Track in-process samples, monitor yield and recovery, and document process observations throughout production stages.


• Conduct CsCl density-gradient ultracentrifugation, fraction collection, pooling, and subsequent buffer exchange and concentration while maintaining sample integrity.


• Assist with chromatography-based purification, including affinity capture and ion-exchange chromatography, and receive training on relevant systems as necessary.


• Support troubleshooting and process comparisons to address recovery or purity challenges.


• Perform or assist with established assays for vector genome titer, capsid content, protein purity, and coordinate impurity testing for study materials.


• Maintain accurate laboratory records, update SOPs, manage vector inventory, and ensure compliance with biosafety and chemical-safety procedures.

Qualifications:

• B.S. or M.S. in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Minimum two years of relevant hands-on laboratory experience.


• Practical experience with recombinant AAV production, mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, transfection, and harvest.


• Experience with CsCl density-gradient ultracentrifugation, buffer exchange, and safe handling of high-value samples.


• Familiarity with AAV-relevant QC methods such as qPCR, capsid ELISA, or protein electrophoresis.


• Strong pipetting, dilution, concentration, and yield-calculation skills with attention to reproducibility and controls.


• Ability to follow and troubleshoot procedures, maintain clear records, prioritize timelines, and communicate effectively.


• Comfortable working collaboratively in an on-site laboratory environment.


• Experience with ÄKTA systems, UNICORN software, chromatography, digital PCR, HPLC/UPLC, tangential flow filtration, and other vector purification approaches is preferred.


• Knowledge of impurity assays, cell-based transduction assays, and preparation of research-grade material for animal studies is a plus.


• Experience improving batch consistency, writing SOPs, transferring methods, training colleagues, and using electronic laboratory notebooks is advantageous.


• Senior-level candidates should demonstrate independent workflow ownership, troubleshooting skills, coordination of study requests, and ability to train others.