Research Associate, Functional Genomics

Xaira Therapeutics • South San Francisco, CA

10h • $85,000 - $115,000

About The Position

Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London.
We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Functional Genomics team as a Research Associate / Senior Research Associate. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developing innovative molecular biology protocols to solve complex biological problems. We are looking for someone passionate about technique development who thrives in a fast-paced, innovative, and multidisciplinary environment. You will collaborate closely with biologists, bioinformaticians, chemists, and software and automation engineering experts to drive impactful research. Pooled perturbation screens are at the core of our discovery engine, enabling systematic, large-scale interrogation of gene function across diverse cell types as we build a virtual cell model.

Requirements

• B.S./M.S. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Bioengineering, or a related field with a minimum of 2 years of work experience in relevant areas.
• Proficiency in cellular and molecular biology techniques, including mammalian cell culture, genetic perturbation (e.g. CRISPR), pooled cloning, qRT-PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and immunostaining.
• Hands-on experience with lentiviral gene delivery, including viral vector preparation, titration, and cell transduction.
• Ability to design and execute experiments with a critical approach, including planning, controls, and troubleshooting to generate reliable data.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow complex protocols with precision.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills, with the ability to maintain accurate and detailed lab records.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset, with a desire to work within a dynamic, interdisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot experiments independently and adapt to evolving research needs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with single-cell sequencing or other high-throughput sequencing techniques is strongly preferred.
• Basic data analysis skills and familiarity with software tools for data interpretation; experience with bioinformatics or programming (e.g. R, Python) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Execute and optimize pooled perturb-seq experiments end-to-end, tasks include primary cell culture, cell engineering, CRISPR delivery, and single-cell RNA-seq library preparation.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional scientists to troubleshoot protocols, improve workflow efficiency, and ensure high data quality.
• Contribute to functional genomics technology development by testing and refining experimental methodologies to systematically explore gene function in disease contexts.
• Maintain meticulous records of experimental procedures and results to support reproducibility and data integrity.
• Present findings and updates in team meetings, fostering a collaborative approach to project advancement.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers.
• A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants.
• We offer a competitive package that includes base salary, bonus, and equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level