Research Associate I/II (Cell-Based Assay Development)

Azalea Therapeutics, Inc.•Berkeley, CA

33d•$70,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Research Associate I/II (Cell-Based Assay Development) is a hands-on laboratory role within the Research & Development team at Azalea Therapeutics. This position will support the advancement of AZA-2509 and Azalea’s next-generation delivery platform. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and executing robust cell-based assays, generating high-quality data, and maintaining rigorous laboratory records. This role involves close collaboration with scientists and colleagues across research, process development, analytical development, and preclinical functions to evaluate EDV delivery, genome editing, T-cell engineering, and candidate performance. The position will be filled at either the Research Associate I or Research Associate II level, depending on the candidate's experience, technical depth, and demonstrated independence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, cell biology, bioengineering, biochemistry, immunology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Research Associate I: 0–2 years of relevant laboratory experience.
Research Associate II: 2–4 years of relevant laboratory experience, including evidence of increased technical independence.
Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and execution of cell-based assays in an academic, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical laboratory.
Experience with at least one cell-based assay readout, such as flow cytometry, plate-based viability or reporter assays, proliferation, cytokine release, activation, or cytotoxicity.
Experience with molecular biology read outs of cell based assays, such as qPCR and digital PCR.
Ability to follow protocols, perform careful calculations, organize concurrent experiments, and produce accurate and reproducible work.
Ability to analyze data, assess assay quality, communicate findings clearly, and work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary setting.
Commitment to laboratory safety, research integrity, accurate documentation, and responsible handling of biological materials.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with primary human T cells or other primary immune cells, including isolation, activation, expansion, transduction or transfection, and functional characterization.
Experience developing or optimizing cell based assays for gene editing and gene knock-in.
Familiarity with assay qualification concepts, design of experiments, dose-response analysis, curve fitting, acceptance criteria, and statistical assessment of assay variability.
Experience with viral or nonviral delivery systems, genome-editing workflows, high-throughput or automated assay platforms, or plate readers.
Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, translational research, or another quality-conscious laboratory environment.
Familiarity with electronic laboratory notebooks and common flow-cytometry and scientific data-analysis tools.

Responsibilities

Execute and support development of cell-based assays evaluating EDV delivery, genome editing, T-cell engineering, cellular activity, and candidate performance.
Culture, expand, and maintain mammalian cell lines and primary immune cells using aseptic technique; monitor cell health, viability, density, and passage history.
Perform cell-based functional and potency assays using relevant readouts such as ddPCR for editing, multicolor flow cytometry, plate-based viability or reporter assays, and cytotoxicity.
Optimize assay conditions, including cell seeding density, stimulation parameters, dose range, incubation time, controls, and acceptance criteria, to improve sensitivity, dynamic range, robustness, and reproducibility.
Prepare test articles, samples, reagents, controls, and assay plates according to approved protocols and experimental plans.
Collect, analyze, and summarize assay data using appropriate software; evaluate assay performance, identify trends and outliers, and document deviations.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely records in electronic laboratory notebooks and other controlled systems, following applicable procedures and data-integrity expectations.
Prepare experimental summaries and communicate results at team meetings; contribute data and figures to technical reports and presentations.
Troubleshoot routine assay and cell-culture issues, escalate significant deviations, and partner with colleagues to improve method performance and transferability.
Support laboratory operations through reagent preparation, inventory management, equipment upkeep, sample tracking, and adherence to safety requirements.
Collaborate across functions, manage assigned work to agreed timelines, and contribute to a culture of scientific rigor, transparency, and respect.