Senior/Staff Research Associate

San Francisco, CALaboratory – Lab /Full Time /On-siteAbout PendulumPendulum is leading a revolution that is occurring around the world to improve physical and mental health by first understanding, then restoring and enhancing the human microbiome. Studies have shown that our microbiome (the bacterial communities in and on our bodies) is linked to everything from metabolism and diabetes, to longevity, weight loss, healthy immune systems, cancer prevention, feelings of well-being, inflammatory bowel disease, and even healthy skin. We have just scratched the surface on understanding the impact that our microbiome has on our lives. During early life we develop a diverse and balanced microbiome that plays a critical role in shaping our long-term health. Over our lives, a combination of diet, lifestyle, antibiotics, and aging can decrease the effectiveness of our microbiome.Pendulum recognized the enormous impact they could have on people’s lives if they were able to address the imbalances in the microbiome. To accomplish this, Pendulum created proprietary probiotic pipelines and a unique discovery platform to identify key, novel bacterial strains and the prebiotics that feed them. The company has also built and developed the world’s first manufacturing technology to produce bacteria in an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment at scale.The medical probiotics that Pendulum has formulated have transformed the consumer probiotics market into a new category of therapeutic offerings that deliver the power and efficacy of a pharmaceutical with the safety and accessibility of a natural probiotic. Due to Pendulum’s explosive revenue and customer growth over the last two years, the company earned a spot on Forbes Magazine’s exclusive “The Next Billion Dollar Startups” list.If you’re interested in improving the lives of people globally and you love working in a cross-functional, collaborative, inspiring environment, please continue reading.Position Summary:Pendulum is currently seeking a Senior Research Associate (or Staff Research Associate, depending on experience) to join our Product Development team. This role will carry significant responsibility across fermentation operations and flow cytometry workflows, supporting anaerobic probiotic strain production and strain quality control, along with other exploratory lab work. Strong aseptic and anaerobic techniques are core requirements. This role's work will directly support improvements to current products as well as the development of new products.We’re looking for someone who’s energized by the pace and possibility of a fast-growing, mission-driven company. You thrive in a collaborative, nimble environment where ideas are shaped through iteration, feedback, and shared vision. You’re not just a big thinker—you’re also a creative problem-solver who knows how to make things happen with limited resources. If you're excited by the opportunity to help shape a young brand from the ground up, and passionate about building something with purpose, you'll feel right at home here.What You'll Do:Independently operate DASGIP bioreactor systems for anaerobic probiotic strain fermentation, including sterile setup, inoculation, and process monitoringLead and manage design of experiments for anaerobic fermentation Run and analyze flow cytometry assays supporting strain quality control and process development, managing this work across multiple concurrent projectsBecome a subject matter expert in flow cytometry Execute rigorous aseptic and anaerobic technique across fermentation and general microbiology workManage and organize assay workflows, draft protocols, and support day-to-day lab operationsWork with cross-disciplinary teams on experimental design, execution, and data analysisKeep up-to-date on current scientific literature related to microbiologyKnowledge Requirements:B.S. with 4+ years experience post graduation or MS graduateExpert in aseptic techniques used in microbiology and anaerobic growth of bacteria; expert in independently operating bioreactor systems (e.g., DASGIP) for fermentationExpert in in flow cytometry techniques used for live/dead bacterial cell classificationProficiency in basic anaerobic microbiology and sterile techniqueDemonstrated ability to work independently and be a fully contributing member of a multi-functional fast-paced team environmentExperience developing/writing SOPs, documenting and tracking lot numbers, and using lab management systemsComfort (and preferably experience) in handling human and animal samples, including stool, skin and bloodDetail oriented and organized, with good oral and written presentation skillsFamiliar with Microsoft office, Google apps, basic data analysis, and basic AI toolsExperience with shelf-life and stability testing of live biotherapeutic or probiotic products (a plus)Familiarity with real-time and accelerated stability study design and execution (a plus)Salary & Benefits$110,500 - $123,500Medical, Dental, and VisionCommuter BenefitsLife & STD InsuranceCompany match on 401 (k)Flexible Time Off (FTO)EquityWe 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.