Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist, Analytical Development (Contractor)

Job Description

Job Description

Our mission at Asimov is to advance humanity's ability to design living systems, enabling biotechnologies with outsized benefit to society. We've built a mammalian synthetic biology platform – from cells to software – to enable the design and manufacture of next-generation therapeutics.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate or Associate Scientist (Contractor) to join our Analytical Development team for a 6-month contract. In this role, you will run our developability and biophysical screening panel and support routine product-quality (PQ) analytical delivery for our Cell Line Development (CLD) pipeline. You will work hands-on across plate-based and chromatographic assays to characterize antibodies, multispecifics, and other engineered protein formats, generating the data that guides candidate and clone selection. You will be trained and supported by the method owner for each assay, and will grow into independent ownership of routine execution. The ideal candidate is meticulous, enjoys high-throughput laboratory work, and communicates results clearly.

About the Role:

• Execute the developability and biophysical screening panel at plate scale, including hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), self-association by AC-SINS, thermal stability by differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), ELISA-based non-specific binding, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), delivering ranked, decision-ready data on candidate molecules.

• Execute routine PQ analytical delivery for CLD programs, including sample preparation, small-scale Protein A purification, and HPLC/UPLC- and capillary electrophoresis-based assays, meeting delivery timelines and data-quality benchmarks.

• Manage high-throughput processing of CLD and screening samples in 96-well format, including system suitability checks, reference standard handling, and use of automated liquid handling where available.

• Partner with method owners to complete installation and qualification of new assays, then take ownership of their routine execution, troubleshooting, and performance trending.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to communicate analytical results and insights clearly. Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of results and proactive communication with stakeholders.

• Drive continuous process and technical improvements, including SOPs and technical reports, while maintaining accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic records, adhering to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and safety protocols.

• This role is a full-time, 6-month contract with the potential for extension or conversion to a permanent position based on business needs and performance.

About You:

• You have a B.S. degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a closely related field with 3+ years of relevant laboratory experience, or an M.S. degree with 1-2 years of relevant experience. Biopharma industry experience is preferred.

• You possess hands-on expertise with plate-based assays and microplate readers (e.g., ELISA) and with HPLC/UPLC separations (e.g., SEC, HIC), along with careful small-scale sample preparation for protein analytics. Experience with capillary electrophoresis (CE), UV, and/or MS is a plus.

• You are comfortable working in 96-well format at high throughput, with a preference for experience in automated liquid handling (e.g., Hamilton) and high-throughput purification.

• You bring exposure to biophysical or developability characterization (thermal stability by DSF, self-association by AC-SINS, hydrophobicity by HIC, non-specific binding) or to label-free binding assays (e.g., Octet BLI). This is a strong plus rather than a requirement; we will train the right candidate.

• You have a proven aptitude for troubleshooting analytical instruments and methods with a proactive, solution-oriented approach.

• You are proficient in data interpretation and the use of statistical tools for trending, supported by strong communication skills to present complex data clearly to diverse audiences.

• You demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with meticulous attention to detail and superior organizational skills.

We’re fueled by a vision to transform biological engineering into a fully-fledged engineering discipline. Should you join our team, you will grow with a constantly evolving organization and push the frontiers of synthetic biology. Company culture is key to Asimov, and we believe that our mission can only be achieved by bringing together a diverse team with a mixture of backgrounds and perspectives.