Research Associate I/II, Synthetic Immunology

Azalea Therapeutics, Inc.•Berkeley, CA

16h•$70,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Azalea Therapeutics is enabling precision genome engineering directly inside the body, with an initial focus on creating cancer immunotherapies in vivo. Azalea is pioneering a new way to turn a person’s own T cells into a powerful cancer therapy — directly inside the body. Instead of removing cells and manipulating them in a lab, we use precision genome editing tools to engineer T cells where they already live. At the center of our approach are Enveloped Delivery Vehicles, or EDVs. As highly selective couriers, EDVs are designed to specifically locate T cells within the patient and deliver our genome engineering cargo. Once inside the cell, the anti-cancer agent is inserted into a precise site in the genome, ensuring safe and potent modifications to fortify the T cells against cancers. Why this matters: We aim to make cell therapy faster and more accessible by avoiding complex manufacturing outside the body. Our platform is designed for precision, so the right cells are safely programmed to effectively fight cancer. This technology has the potential to treat a wide range of cancers with a streamlined, scalable process. Our goal is simple: develop next-generation delivery technologies to bring genetic engineering and cell therapies to more patients. How We Work Azalea is building ambitious science in a fast-moving environment. The people who thrive here are accountable, adaptable, rigorous, humble, and direct. Across roles and functions, we look for team members who demonstrate the following: Outcome Ownership - We own results, close loops, and follow through without needing to be prompted. We take responsibility for moving work forward and making sure important decisions, deliverables, and handoffs do not fall through the cracks. Comfort with Ambiguity - We operate in an early-stage environment where information may be incomplete and priorities may evolve. We clarify quickly, make thoughtful decisions with the information available, and adapt without unnecessary drama. High Standards, Low Ego - We care deeply about the quality of the work and the impact it can have for patients. We raise the bar while staying humble, direct, and open to feedback. Collaboration and Candor - We share context early, communicate clearly, partner across functions, and operate with transparency. We believe strong collaboration requires both trust and direct communication. The Opportunity Azalea Therapeutics is seeking an enthusiastic, detail-oriented Research Associate I/II to join our Synthetic Immunology team. Reporting to a Scientist I, the Research Associate will work within the Research & Development department to evaluate the function of CAR T cell therapies across multiple indications. The Research Associate will perform in vitro functional characterization of engineered T cell products, generating critical data to inform the selection of candidates for in vivo evaluation. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation cell and gene therapies while working alongside experienced scientists in a collaborative, fast-paced biotechnology environment. It is an excellent opportunity for an early-career scientist who is eager to expand their technical expertise, learn advanced immunology techniques, and contribute to innovative therapeutic research with the potential to improve patient outcomes. This is an onsite role with expectations to be onsite in our Berkeley office 5 days per week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related life science discipline.
1-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience in academic, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical research, with experience supporting immunology, cell therapy, or molecular biology projects.
Experience with mammalian cell culture and primary T cell isolation and/or culture including maintenance of established cell lines and primary immune cell isolation, activation, expansion, and culture.
Hands-on experience with flow cytometry, including multicolor staining, sample preparation, and data analysis using platforms such as FlowJo or equivalent software.
Experience generating and evaluating CAR-T, TCR-T cell, or other engineered immune cell products using functional cell-based assays.
Experience performing cell-based functional assays, including immune cell phenotyping, activation, proliferation, cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, or related immunological assays.
Demonstrated experience to independently execute experiments, analyze and interpret data, troubleshoot technical challenges and maintain accurate laboratory documentation.
Strong organizational and communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities while communicating scientific data in a fast-paced, team-oriented research environment.
Demonstrated enthusiasm for cell therapy, immunology, gene editing, or translational research, with a strong desire to learn new techniques and contribute to innovative therapeutic development.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with cytokine quantification methods such as ELISA, MSD, or similar platforms.
Experience working with electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) and maintaining high-quality experimental documentation.
Experience with cytotoxicity assays, such as luminescence-based, flow cytometry-based, or Incucyte killing assays.
Experience engineering immune cells using viral and/or non-viral gene delivery methods, including lentiviral transduction.
Experience supporting high-throughput screening workflows, assay optimization, or research-scale analytical method development.

Responsibilities

Perform laboratory in vitro experiments to evaluate the function and activity of CAR T cell products under the guidance of a senior scientist.
Culture, engineer, and expand primary T cells using viral and non-viral gene delivery methods.
Perform cellular and immunological assays, including multicolor flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), cytokine analysis, and other functional cell-based assays.
Engineer and maintain mammalian cell lines to support research projects and assay development.
Maintain primary cell cultures, cell lines, and cell banks to ensure the availability of high-quality research materials.
Support sample processing and laboratory activities for both in vitro studies and, when appropriate, in vivo experiments.
Analyze experimental data, maintain organized and accurate laboratory records, and communicate findings to project teams under the guidance of senior scientists.
Participate in laboratory meetings, communicate experimental results, and contribute to scientific discussion.
Learn and implement new laboratory techniques as project needs evolve.