Research Associate I

Subsense • Palo Alto, CA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Lab Tech/Research Associate plays a foundational, execution-focused role in advancing our neurotechnology platform. You will be a core contributor to our in vitro research operations, with a strong emphasis on mammalian cell culture and disciplined laboratory workflows.

This role is ideal for a hands-on laboratory professional who enjoys structured bench work, maintaining high-quality cell culture systems, and performing routine experimental tasks with precision and consistency. You will work closely with senior scientists to ensure experiments are executed reproducibly and the lab operates smoothly day to day.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline.
• 2–4 years of hands-on laboratory experience in an academic, biotech, or research setting in a technician or research associate capacity.
• Minimum 2 years of direct mammalian cell culture experience, including independent passaging and maintenance of multiple cell lines.
• Strong sterile technique and familiarity working in BSL-2 environments.
• Experience with standard wet-lab techniques (pipetting, dilutions, microscopy, solution prep, sterile technique).
• Demonstrated comfort performing structured, repetitive laboratory tasks with precision and reliability.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices, chemical handling, and documentation.
• Experience or desire supporting lab organization, inventory, or equipment maintenance responsibilities.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to follow protocols precisely.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced research environment with shifting priorities.
• Proactive, dependable, and committed to high-quality bench work.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Location: Palo Alto, CA

Responsibilities

• Maintain and independently manage mammalian cell lines, including thawing, expansion, passaging, plating, cryopreservation, and routine viability monitoring.
• Prepare media, reagents, buffers, and biological materials following established SOPs with strong attention to sterility and consistency.
• Perform routine cell culture maintenance and support structured in vitro assays under direction of senior scientists.
• Support neuroscience, cell biology, and materials experiments, including sample preparation, nanoparticle handling, histology tasks, and general wet-lab procedures.
• Assist in in vivo studies by preparing materials, maintaining records, and supporting experiment execution as needed.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment such as microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, and analytical instruments.
• Maintain lab organization — inventory, ordering, waste management, safety documentation, and compliance records.
• Conduct measurements, imaging, and basic data collection for R&D experiments; input data into digital lab notebooks with clear documentation.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory equipment including incubators, biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, microscopes, freezers, and analytical instruments.
• Help refine laboratory workflows and SOPs to improve consistency and scalability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with neuroscientists, engineers, and materials scientists to ensure seamless experimental operations.

What This Job Offers

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