Research Associate - Protein Sciences

Job Description

Job Description

About the Company

We are a seed-stage biotech company currently operating in stealth, leveraging cutting-edge AI to transform the discovery, development, and delivery of biologics. We are backed by leading venture capital investors and supported by world-class advisors. We are assembling a team to join us as we tackle the hardest problems in drug design.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate to join our team, with a primary focus on recombinant protein expression and purification. This is a fast-paced startup environment where the ability to work efficiently and independently is essential. We are looking for someone who is proactive, resourceful, and comfortable navigating the demands of a dynamic research setting. In this role, you will be integral to our protein production pipeline, supporting the expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of proteins in bacterial systems, and contributing to cutting-edge research alongside a collaborative and driven team. You will work closely with senior scientists to advance research goals, maintain rigorous data records, and contribute to experimental design and troubleshooting. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Cambridge, MA. 

Responsibilities

• Support recombinant protein expression and purification efforts in E. coli , including construct design, expression screening, and purification via affinity and other chromatography methods

• Perform analytical assays to characterize protein quality and binding activity, including Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI), SDS-PAGE, and spectroscopy

• Execute standard molecular biology techniques including PCR, cloning, plasmid preparation, and DNA purification

• Maintain accurate, well-organized records of experimental protocols, results, and data in Benchling or equivalent electronic lab notebook platforms

• Assist in experimental planning and troubleshooting in collaboration with senior scientists

• Contribute to the optimization and scale-up of protein production workflows

• Communicate results clearly to the broader team through written reports and team meetings

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, biophysics, chemical engineering, or a related field

• 2+ years of hands-on experience in recombinant protein expression and purification in an academic or industry setting

• Proficiency with bacterial ( E. coli ) protein expression systems and downstream purification using affinity chromatography (e.g., Ni-NTA)

• Familiarity with analytical and biophysical methods for protein characterization, such as SDS-PAGE, FPLC, and spectroscopy

• Experience managing experimental data in an electronic lab notebook, particularly Benchling

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) for binding kinetics analysis

• Experience with protein expression in additional systems such as yeast ( P. pastoris or S. cerevisiae ) or mammalian cell expression platforms

• Familiarity with Python or other scripting languages for data analysis and automation

• Experience with high-throughput expression screening in multi-well plate fo

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.