Research Fellow (Remote)

Research Associate II – High Throughput Screening

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi‑scale, team‑oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

Join our artificial intelligence powered lab, an initiative at the intersection of academic creativity and start‑up style execution. Our mission is to apply machine learning to biological design. Join us as we build a series of interconnected design‑test‑loop “flywheels” that enable design of synthetic enhancers, protein binders, and more.

We are looking for a Research Associate to join our synthetic enhancer flywheel, responsible for expanding our ability to rapidly build datasets that will train the next generation of DNA design machine learning models. Under moderate supervision, the Research Associate will be working in the laboratory to clone and screen Massively Parallel Reporter Assay (MPRA) libraries in a variety of cell lines. They will deliver libraries to cells, process RNA and DNA through generation of Illumina sequencing data for model training, and evaluate model success by testing designed sequences using ddPCR, flow cytometry, and other molecular biology assays as a readout.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. Execute molecular biology protocols, including molecular cloning, flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, ddPCR

Assist in troubleshooting technical barriers in the generation of high quality NGS libraries, from library delivery to cell lines through NGS library generation

Review and analyze data, participating in quality control and troubleshooting of processes and results

Present results and summarize progress to help frame internal decision‑making

Comply with SOPs, good laboratory practices, and regulatory requirements

Maintain accurate laboratory documentation using established methods

Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Genetics, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or related field

Experience performing molecular biology methods including molecular cloning (such as restriction cloning, Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate assembly, plasmid prep)

RNA isolation, DNA isolation, and PCR

Competence and ability to work in a molecular biology/cell culture laboratory

Experience performing cell biology methods including mammalian cell culture, murine embryonic stem cell culture, primary cell culture, nucleofection, and lipofection

Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office/lab equipment

Possible exposure and handling of laboratory animals

Laboratory atmosphere – possible exposure to chemical, biological or other hazardous substances

any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Travel

The successful candidate may be invited to attend occasional national and international conferences.

These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.