Research Associate II/Sr. Research Associate, Laboratory Automation
About The Position
SystImmune is seeking a Research Associate II or Senior Research Associate, Laboratory Automation to join the AIDD Automated Wet Lab team in Bothell, WA. This is a newly created position established to build and operate a semi-automated wet lab and to support the move toward full automation. The Research Associate will provide the hands-on capacity to develop liquid-handler methods, integrate instruments, troubleshoot runs, and convert validated manual workflows into reliable automated processes. The Research Associate will independently run and maintain at least one validated automated workflow with complete SOPs. By twelve months, the candidate will own multiple workflows, improve throughput and reliability, and support barcode tracking and future LIMS integration.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
- Research Associate II requires bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of industry experience.
- Senior Research Associate requires bachelor’s degree with 5+ years or master’s degree with 3+ years of industry experience.
- Hands-on experience with automated liquid handlers or comparable laboratory robotics.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, modify, test, and document automated methods and labware settings.
- Strong troubleshooting, validation, and instrument-maintenance skills in a laboratory environment.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Hamilton STAR instruments or the Hamilton VENUS software environment.
- Experience with Opentrons platforms.
- Experience with robotic plate handling, plate readers, and incubators.
- Experience with magnetic-bead workflows.
- Programming experience in Python and experience working with APIs.
- Experience with barcode tracking or a laboratory information management system (LIMS).
- Experience with autonomous mobile robots (AMR).
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize automated dispensing, mixing, incubation, plate-handling, and magnetic-bead purification methods.
- Develop, modify, test, and document automated methods and labware settings.
- Own routine method adjustments, run scheduling, and first-line troubleshooting within approved protocols.
- Support integration of the liquid handler with robotic arms and external instruments.
- Perform qualification runs, investigate failures, and maintain validated method versions.
- Support barcode tracking and future LIMS integration.
- Coordinate routine maintenance and vendor service for automation equipment.
- Maintain SOPs, training materials, and run documentation.
- Escalate safety, capital, and major platform decisions to the hiring manager.
- Work with the Protein Science Research Associate to transfer validated assays onto the automation platform.
- Contribute to building out the new automated wet lab and its robot-based workflows.
Benefits
- 100% paid employee premiums for medical/dental/vision
- STD
- LTD
- a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match of up to 3%
- vesting schedule of only 5 years
- 15 PTO days per year
- sick leave
- 11 paid holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
