Senior Research Associate, Translational Sciences

Signify Bio; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Signify Bio seeks a highly motivated and scientifically driven Senior Research Associate to join the Translational Sciences team. This role will develop, qualify, and execute in vitro, cell-based, bioanalytical, and functional assays to support discovery and translational development of mRNA/LNP therapeutics.

The successful candidate will have hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, immunoassays, and cell-based functional assays, working with cross-functional teams to characterize

Qualifications

• BS with 5–7 years of biotech/pharma assay development experience.
• Experience with in vitro assay development and cell-based systems; able to troubleshoot independently.
• Knowledge of bioanalytical, cell-signaling, and quantitative assay methodologies.
• Proficiency with data-analysis tools and scientific documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and execute in vitro cell-based, signaling, and ELISA/bioanalytical assays for mRNA/LNP candidates.
• Design experiments using mammalian and primary cells to assess expression, activity, and dose-response.
• Establish robust assay conditions with appropriate controls and metrics (sensitivity, precision, reproducibility).
• Analyze, document, and communicate results; maintain electronic records and protocols.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support candidate evaluation and translational studies; improve assay technologies.

Skills

In vitro

Mammalian cell culture

Bioanalytical

Data analysis

Education

BS in Biology or related

MS in related field

Tools

GraphPad Prism

Excel

Job description

Signify Bio is a biotechnology company transforming the development of in situ protein therapeutics by leveraging the human body’s natural ability to produce proteins. Guided by its mission to create personalized medicines for all, Signify combines the precision of signal peptide engineered control with the speed and versatility of mRNA encoded design. The company’s SEND platform and iPhos lipid nanoparticles enable targeted and localized delivery of therapeutic proteins, addressing significant unmet needs across various diseases. Through innovative science, Signify Bio is committed to advancing solutions that make a meaningful difference for patients worldwide.

At Signify, we bring together collaborative teams, innovative science, and a shared commitment to addressing meaningful unmet patient needs. Employees have the opportunity to work across disciplines, contribute to cutting‑edge therapeutic programs, and help translate scientific discoveries into potential medicines. We value scientific rigor, open communication, curiosity, and teamwork, and we encourage every team member to contribute ideas, take ownership, and grow alongside the organization.

Position Summary

Signify Bio seeks a highly motivated and scientifically driven Senior Research Associate to join the Translational Sciences team. This individual will play a key role in the development, optimization, qualification, and execution of in vitro, cell‑based, bioanalytical, and functional assays to support the discovery and translational development of novel mRNA/LNP therapeutics.

The successful candidate will have strong hands‑on experience in mammalian cell culture, immunoassays, and cell‑based functional assays, with demonstrated ability to independently develop and troubleshoot assays. In this role, the Senior RA will work closely with scientists across the Translational Sciences, in vivo and formulation teams to characterize therapeutic candidates, evaluate biological activity, quantify pharmacodynamic responses, and support advancement of programs from discovery through preclinical development.

This position is well suited for a highly organized and collaborative scientist who enjoys solving complex experimental problems and establishing robust assays that enable data‑driven program decisions.

• Develop, optimize, troubleshoot, qualify, and execute in vitro cell‑based, signaling, and ELISA/bioanalytical assays to characterize mRNA/LNP therapeutic candidates
• Design and perform experiments using mammalian and primary cells to assess protein expression, secretion, biological activity, signaling, and dose‑response relationships
• Establish robust and reproducible assay conditions using appropriate controls and performance metrics, including sensitivity, precision, reproducibility, and assay range
• Analyze, interpret, document, and communicate experimental results; maintain accurate electronic laboratory records, protocols, and assay documentation.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to support candidate evaluation, biomarker/PD assessment, and translational studies, while implementing improved assay technologies and approaches

Qualifications – Education

BS/MS in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline with industry experience.

Qualifications – Work Experience & Skills

Required Qualifications:

• BS with 5-7 years of relevant biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience in assay development, translational sciences, pharmacology, or drug discovery.
• Demonstrated experience with in vitro assay development and mammalian cell‑based experimental systems, with the ability to work independently and troubleshoot complex scientific problems.
• Working knowledge of bioanalytical, cell‑signaling, and quantitative assay methodologies, with a strong understanding of experimental design and data interpretation.
• Proficiency with GraphPad Prism, Excel, or similar data‑analysis tools, with strong scientific documentation and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS with 3-5 years of relevant biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Experience in the cardio‑renal therapeutic area and/or development of mRNA/LNP therapeutics, biologics, or other advanced therapeutic modalities.
• Experience with mRNA transfection, protein expression, secretion, and functional characterization.
• Familiarity with advanced quantitative assay platforms such as HTRF, MSD, AlphaLISA, or phosphoprotein‑based technologies.
• Experience with primary cell models, assay qualification, automation, or high‑throughput screening approaches.

Key Attributes for Success

The ideal candidate will be a hands‑on experimental scientist and strong problem solver who is comfortable taking an assay from an initial biological concept through development, optimization, troubleshooting, and routine implementation. The individual should demonstrate scientific curiosity, attention to detail, strong experimental judgment, and the ability to independently identify why an assay is not performing as expected and design experiments to resolve the issue.

Success in this role will require the ability to balance scientific rigor with the speed and flexibility required in a growing biotechnology company.

Signify Bio is committed to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law.