(Senior) Research Associate, Stem Cell Biology

Conception•Berkeley, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Conception is pioneering the future of reproductive biology by generating functional human eggs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Our mission is to unlock new possibilities for fertility, reproductive health, and genetic diversity. We are building a world-class team at the intersection of stem cell biology, developmental biology, and reproductive biology to make this vision a reality. We are seeking an extremely hard-working, highly skilled, hands-on scientist or scientific specialist to support our pluripotent stem cell program. This is a technical specialist role for someone who wants to be in the lab doing difficult, delicate, high-impact work. Ideally, you have direct experience deriving, establishing, expanding, banking, and characterizing pluripotent stem cell lines. We are looking for a rigorous bench scientist who is excited to execute, troubleshoot, repeat, improve, and master technically demanding workflows. The right person will be flexible in focus, willing to learn new techniques, and motivated to contribute wherever the lab needs them most. Experience with QC readout establishment, stem cell differentiation, 3D culture, or related reproductive biology techniques is highly valuable. Title is negotiable based on experience and may range from Scientific Specialist to Senior Scientist.

Requirements

PhD in stem cell biology, developmental biology, reproductive biology, cell biology, embryology, bioengineering, or a related field
Ideally 4+ years of hands-on experience with human pluripotent stem cell culture, reproductive biology, or related technical workflows
Direct experience with ESC/iPSC derivation, or ESC/iPSC line establishment is especially valuable
Strong aseptic technique and experience maintaining sensitive, high-value cell lines
Excellent attention to detail, reliability, and comfort with difficult, repetitive protocols that require precision and consistency
Hands-on experience with ESC/iPSC expansion and banking, stem cell QC, 3D culture, organoid culture, co-culture systems, microdissection, micromanipulation, or long-duration tissue and cell culture workflows is highly desirable
Strong work ethic and team-first mindset. Willing to do hands-on work, including routine and repetitive tasks, and step in wherever needed
Able to thrive in a high-intensity, fast-paced, flexible startup environment

Nice To Haves

Experience with QC readout establishment
Experience with stem cell differentiation
Experience with 3D culture
Related reproductive biology techniques

Responsibilities

Build, optimize, and repeatedly execute workflows needed for stem-cell-derived reproductive cell development
Derive, establish, expand, bank, and characterize iPSC & ESC lines
Maintain high-quality ESC/iPSC cultures, document passage history and culture conditions, and support characterization and QC assays
Troubleshoot protocols, improve reproducibility, and help maintain consistency across difficult and delicate workflows
Establish epigenetic quality readouts
Collaborate closely with stem cell, reproductive biology, embryology, genomics, and preclinical teams
Execute technically demanding workflows with precision, timing, repetition, and consistency