About the RoleWe are looking for a highly hands-on Research Associate to join our team and support protein science and cell biology workflows on the Medra Physical AI platform. This is a role for someone who loves being at the bench - someone who has spent years honing their craft in a fast-paced industry lab and takes pride in rigorous, reproducible science.
You will work closely with scientists and roboticists to execute, validate, and optimize protein characterization workflows and cell-based assays as part of our autonomous lab platform. You thrive when given a specific task to own end-to-end, and you bring the experience and intuition to operate independently.
Key Responsibilities- Execute protein expression experiments across multiple host systems (e.g., mammalian, E. coli, cell-free) at various scales, from small-scale screens to larger production runs
- Run protein characterization assays, including SPR, BLI, DSF/DSC, and various developability assays.
- Perform cell-based binding and functional assays to evaluate candidates against cell-surface targets and assess functional activity.
- Own day-to-day operation and organization of the cell culture facility, including routine passaging using sterile technique, inventory management, and equipment maintenance.
- Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records in electronic lab notebooks (ELN), and contribute to SOP development
- Collaborate with scientists and cross-functional team members to ensure smooth handoffs and timely execution across the protein screening and characterization workflow.
What You Bring to the Team- B.S. or B.A., or MS in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline
- 2-4 years (M.S.) or 4-6 (B.S./B.A. )years of hands-on, industry lab experience in protein science - we value deep bench experience over advanced degrees
- Demonstrated expertise in protein expression using mammalian cell lines (e.g., Expi293, ExpiCHO) and/or microbial systems
- Strong hands-on experience with high-throughput protein quality control and biophysical characterization.
- Experience maintaining mammalian cell lines and performing cell-based assays in an industry setting, including flow cytometry.
- Strong documentation habits, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently on defined tasks
- A scrappy, can-do attitude - you figure things out and get things done
Bonus Points For- Familiarity with developability assessment assays (HIC, AC-SINS, PSR, or similar)
- Familiarity with analytical characterization techniques such as HPLC-SEC, HPLC-HIC, or FACS-based binding assays
- Familiarity with imaging-based cell assays (e.g., high-content imaging, fluorescence microscopy)
- Experience with cell-free protein expression or specialized enzyme workflows
- Comfort working with lab automation or robotics platforms
This position is 100% in-person; you must be able to come on-site to our San Francisco office. We offer relocation benefits for applicants who need to relocate.
What We Offer- An opportunity to change the way that scientific research happens
- Fast-paced, creative, and collaborative work environment
- Significant equity ownership
- 401k
- Medical and dental insurance
- Unlimited PTO
- Weekday dinners
