Research Associate I - HLA/SLA

United Therapeutics • Morrisville, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs. United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR ) seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH ). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease ( PH-ILD ) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis ( PF ). The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option. The Research Associate I - HLA/SLA (Xeno/RMO) is responsible for assisting developing, validating, and performing immunogenetics testing to support xenotransplantation research and regulatory milestones. This role focuses on performing assays to characterize swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility, optimizing crossmatch and antibody screening assays, and ensuring high-quality, reproducible data to guide clinical and preclinical decision-making. The position plays a key role in advancing translational research by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to refine protocols, analyze results, and support regulatory submissions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• 1+ years of histocompatibility experience
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques (pipetting, cell handling, molecular assays, flow cytometry)
• Capacity to participate in multiple projects with competing timelines in a fast-paced research and clinical environment
• Effective problem-solving skills to troubleshoot assay failures and identify root causes
• Competence with electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN), LIMS systems, and basic bioinformatics workflows
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends on an ad hoc basis.

Nice To Haves

• ABHI - American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Certified Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) or Supervisor (CHS)
• Strong understanding of immunogenetics, including HLA and SLA systems, antigen presentation, and transplant immunology
• Familiarity with xenotransplantation models, including swine genetics, immunobiology, and donor-recipient matching considerations
• Working knowledge of cell culture techniques, including PBMC and endothelial cell isolation and maintenance
• Knowledge of crossmatch methodologies (CDC, flow cytometry) and interpretation of cytotoxicity/antibody binding data
• Excellent technical documentation skills for SOP writing, assay reports, and regulatory submissions

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and complex immunogenetics testing (e.g., PCR-based typing, Next-Generation Sequencing, Luminex/Intelliflex assays) on human and porcine samples
• Assist in development, validation, and optimization of assays for histocompatibility testing (HLA/SLA)
• Isolate, culture, and prepare PBMCs, endothelial cells, and other relevant cell populations for compatibility testing
• Troubleshoot technical issues, maintain assay performance, and document deviations or corrective actions
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment, ensuring readiness for regulated testing and audits
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations
• Stay current with relevant literature, technologies, and regulatory guidelines in HLA/SLA testing and xenotransplantation research
• Document all laboratory activities in compliance with GLP, CLIA, CAP, EFI, and/or FDA regulatory requirements
• Assist in writing, reviewing, and updating SOPs, validation protocols, and quality records
• Participate in internal audits, CAP inspections, and regulatory reviews
• Assist in training junior staff and collaborators in proper laboratory techniques and assay workflows
• Collaborate with clinicians and R&D scientists to design experiments and refine donor–recipient matching strategies

Benefits

• Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more.
• For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees