Research Associate I, Product Development

Each year, more than 150,000 breast reconstruction procedures are performed in the U.S., yet one in three patients still faces a serious complication. That is not good enough. At Elutia, we are working to change it.

Our mission is to humanize medicine so patients can thrive without compromise. We are pioneering drug-eluting technologies to improve the interface between medical devices and the patients who rely on them.

How we work matters just as much as what we make. Elutia is a certified Great Place to Work®, grounded in our CRU values: Contagiously Confident, Ridiculously Relentless, and Unanimously United. We set a high bar for ourselves, for each other, and for the outcomes we deliver.

Our team is All In on the mission. This is not the place for someone looking to coast. It is the place for someone who wants to solve hard problems, move with urgency, and make a real mark on medicine, alongside a team fully committed to improving patient outcomes.

Opportunity:

The Research Associate I will work in a collaborative team environment to design assays for the scientific characterization and development of tissue-based and biomaterial products in compliance with Elutia’s quality and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate is able to effectively handle multiple tasks, while learning and adapting to different projects. The successful candidate will execute, optimize, and analyze a broad range of bioassays, biomechanical and material characterizations, and product prototyping. In addition, this position will support the development of manufacturing processes, including scale up for full production and/or production transfer.

What You’ll do:

• Support drug-eluting medical device development through hands-on laboratory testing and sample preparation.
• Prepare media, buffers, standards, and reagents for testing.
• Execute in-vitro elution/release studies to evaluate drug release profiles and product performance.
• Perform routine HPLC sample preparation, testing, data collection, and basic analysis under supervision.
• Follow approved protocols, SOPs, and good documentation practices to ensure data integrity.
• Maintain accurate lab notebooks, raw data records, sample tracking logs, and experiment summaries.
• Help maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, chemical inventory, and a clean, safe working environment.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to support formulation screening, coating optimization, and process development studies.
• Communicate experimental observations, data issues, and testing progress clearly to senior team members.

What You bring:

• On-site role based in Gaithersburg, MD
• < 2 years of experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biology, or a related scientific field.
• Hands-on analytical laboratory experience: preparing solution, using analytical equipment, follow procedures, maintaining clean, organized lab work.
• Familiarity with bioanalytical instrumentations, strong computer skills, data process and other scientific analysis skills are preferred.
• Good documentation discipline and ability to follow SOPs
• Highly detail-oriented and strong ownership mentality
• Excellent written, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Who Thrives Here

This place isn’t for everyone. At Elutia, we are All In on the mission. This place is built for people who want to compete at a high level, solve hard problems, and do work that matters deeply to patients. The people who thrive here are confident without being arrogant, relentless without being rigid, and team-first to the core. They do not seek comfort, politics, or a carefully managed environment. They want the challenge. They want the ownership. They want to be on a team with other exceptional people and win.

This isn’t just a job. It is a mission. Priorities shift. Problems hit fast. Constraints are real. We are looking for those who thrive here, rises to the moment, course-corrects unapologetically, and stay locked on the goal line. If someone is looking for comfort, clean boundaries, or a lower-stakes ride, this is the wrong place. If they want to build something meaningful with a team of superstars and leave everything on the field, they will belong here.

• All in on the mission
• Confident, not arrogant
• Calm under pressure and decisive in critical moments
• Obsessed with outcomes, not status
• Fast to adapt and hard to rattle
• Patient-first
• Energized by hard problems and high standards
• More interested in winning championships than MVPs

Compensation & Benefits

Expected salary range: $60,000-70,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

This role is eligible for equity and performance-based bonus. Elutia also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off.

How to apply:

• Are you ready to build something that matters? Apply at Careers - Elutia