Sr Research Associate, Tech Transfer

Twist Bioscience; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Twist Bioscience is seeking a Senior Research Associate in Wilsonville, OR to execute and optimize manual production workflows bridging R&D and manufacturing.

You will partner with R&D scientists and operations to vet processes before transfer, design experiments, and help automate steps while delivering high-quality products for customers.

Qualifications

• BS with 4+ years of industry/research experience or MS with 2+ years.
• Hands-on molecular biology, DNA/protein workflows, and purification.
• Ability to work independently with scientific judgment.
• Strong cross-functional partnering with R&D and operations.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments; escalate as needed.
• Vet new processes with R&D, automation engineers, and LIMS teams.
• Perform manual experiments with eye toward automation for production.
• Identify gaps and risks; implement process improvements.
• Maintain audit-ready records and support training of staff.

Skills

Molecular biology

DNA purification

PCR techniques

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

SOP writing

Lab troubleshooting

Education

B.S. in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/Chemistry

M.S. in related field (2+ years)

Tools

LIMS

SQL/JSON

Lab automation experience

Job description

Senior Research Associate (Onsite in Wilsonville, OR)

Twist Bioscience's Tech Transfer team is hiring a Senior Research Associate in Wilsonville, Oregon, to help new products and process improvements, with a particular focus on supporting orders ahead of full integration and scale. This role builds on our Research Associate II position and calls for someone who is an independent, vigilant, and detail-driven scientist who can both execute hands‑on production work and help optimize the processes that bridge R&D and operations.

You will perform manual production steps for workflows that have not yet been fully automated, while partnering closely with R&D scientists and operations to vet new processes before and during their transfer into manufacturing. This person should be able to run experiments independently, communicate effectively, and optimize processes to drive CPI and NPI success, executing experiments that deliver high-quality end products for our customers. The work can vary between DNA and protein work, so the ability to learn new techniques and methodologies quickly is a real asset.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments, escalating when plans fall outside established protocols.
• Support the build-out and vetting of new processes ahead of launch, working closely with R&D scientists, automation engineers, operators, and LIMS developers to confirm a process is ready for production.
• Perform manual experiments with the intention of automating them for production processing of new or in‑development workflows, helping fulfill early access orders while automation is still being built out.
• Identify process gaps, bottlenecks, and risks before they reach manufacturing, and help implement optimizations.
• Serve as a vigilant check on process quality, catching inconsistencies or at‑risk steps and raising them before they affect downstream production or customer orders.
• Support the writing of work instructions and training materials for manufacturing operators.
• Operate a range of automated and manual lab equipment to execute experiments and production runs.
• Support testing & validating Twist's LIMS platforms to generate, track, and analyze data.
• Collect, analyze, and summarize data, and communicate findings clearly across cross‑functional teams.
• Mentor and train others on new processes and best practices.
• Maintain thorough, organized, and audit‑ready experimental and production records.

Qualifications and Required Skills

• B.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a closely related field, with at least 4 years of relevant industry or research experience; or an M.S. in a related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience.
• Strong, hands‑on background in molecular biology techniques, DNA or protein purification, DNA quantification, PCR, enzymatic and or cell‑based assays, including antibody characterization assays.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound scientific judgment with minimal day‑to‑day direction.
• Comfortable partnering cross‑functionally with R&D and operations, as well as automation engineers, LIMS developers, and R&D scientists to support building and vetting new processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present data clearly and work effectively across teams.
• Able to prepare technical documents, including SOPs, data summaries, and technical or analytical reports.
• Comfortable working in a LEAN manufacturing or controlled laboratory environment, including supporting manual processing ahead of automation.
• Self‑motivated and detail‑oriented, with a track record of catching issues before they elevate.
• Experience mentoring or training other lab staff.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with lab automation.
• Experience with SQL and/or JSON.
• Experience using LIMS systems.
• Experience working with antibodies.
• Experience supporting new product or process launches, including Early Access or limited‑release programs.
• Familiarity with manufacturing lab environments.

About Twist Bioscience

Twist Bioscience synthesizes genes from scratch, known as “writing” DNA. Just as children learn to both read and write, the next phase of development for the genomics revolution is the ability to write DNA.

At Twist Bioscience, we work in service of people who are changing the world for the better. In fields such as health care, agriculture, industrial chemicals and data storage, our unique silicon‑based DNA Synthesis Platform provides precision at a scale that is otherwise unavailable to our customers.

Twist Bioscience Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Twist Bioscience Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic characteristics, or any other category protected by law.

Voluntary Self‑Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Twist Bioscience’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.