Research Associate, Transcriptomics (Contract)
About The Position
Empress is pioneering mechanistic intelligence for drug discovery, helping R&D teams understand their molecules' actions, drivers of activity, potential liabilities, and best-positioned candidates for advancement. Our platform integrates multi-omics, chemoproteomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, computational inference, knowledge graphs, and CRISPR-based functional validation to translate biological complexity into clearer development decisions. We offer capabilities that would typically require years, specialized infrastructure, and rare cross-functional expertise to build internally. Empress is a privately held biotech conceived by Flagship Pioneering, known for its courage, long-term vision, and resources to achieve significant results. The Genomics team is seeking a Research Associate II to manage the daily operations of our automated high-throughput bulk RNA sequencing platform. This platform is a key part of Empress's Integromyx platform, generating crucial transcriptomic data for mechanistic insights in our drug discovery programs. This is a hands-on role with end-to-end responsibility, ideal for an individual aiming to develop deep technical expertise in NGS and functional genomics.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s (and 2-4 years of relevant academic/industry experience) or Master’s degree (and 0-2 years) in biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related field
- Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to data integrity
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience with RNA extraction and QC (e.g., NanoDrop, Bioanalyzer)
- Familiarity with NGS library preparation workflows or sequencing platforms (e.g., Illumina)
- Experience with RT-qPCR or basic molecular cloning
- Experience in a high-throughput or production-style lab environment
- Proficiency with ELN or LIMS systems
Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain the automated high-throughput bulk RNA-seq platform end-to-end
- Perform RNA extraction from diverse sample types following established protocols
- Execute RNA quality control assessments and library preparation for NGS, including QC steps
- Set up and support sequencing runs on a next-generation sequencing instrument
- Design and execute RT-qPCR experiments
- Maintain accurate records of experimental workflows, sample metadata, and QC metrics in the ELN/LIMS
- Maintain mammalian cell cultures and perform cell treatments to generate samples for the bulk-Tx platform
- Coordinate timely sample handoff from cell culture to downstream RNA processing
Benefits
- Certain employee benefits may be available to the contractor through the staffing company after meeting minimum criteria.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
