Senior Research Associate, Molecular Engineering (Fixed-Term Contract)

Arc Institute • Palo Alto, CA

24d • Onsite

About The Position

Arc Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biology. The Senior Research Associate will join the Molecular Engineering team within the Genome Engineering Technology Center and support routine execution of arrayed and pooled genetic perturbation screens in disease-relevant, human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived microglia. The role supports core workflows across genetic perturbation screening pipelines, including stem cell culture, HPC/microglia differentiation, and viral transduction. It also contributes to downstream screening and validation efforts supporting Arc’s Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative.

The role involves executing and optimizing stem cell culture and differentiation protocols, lentiviral transduction-based experiments, and assays to characterize genetically perturbed cells. The successful candidate will maintain detailed experimental records and materials tracking, troubleshoot workflows, and analyze and present data. This is a fixed-term, 12-month position based onsite in Palo Alto five days per week. The role is not eligible for visa sponsorship; occasional weekend work may be required.

Requirements

• BS degree in a relevant field with 4 or more years of relevant experience, or MS degree in a relevant field with 2 or more years of relevant postgraduate experience.
• Relevant laboratory experience, including demonstrated, proficient skills in stem cell and progenitor cell culturing and routine characterization.
• Experience running and analyzing flow cytometry experiments, including familiarity with multicolor panels, immunostaining experiments, and FlowJo analyses.
• Experience with LIMS systems; Benchling is ideal.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and time management skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, willingness to learn, and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to work onsite in the Palo Alto office five days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Industry experience is desirable but not required.
• Experience differentiating hPSCs into neural or immune lineages; microglia differentiation experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with plate-based or automation-compatible screening workflows.
• Familiarity with CRISPR-Cas9 or other genome editing or genetic perturbation techniques, with hands-on experience functionally characterizing genetically modified cells.
• Proficiency and experience with molecular cloning, virus production, and cell line engineering.

Responsibilities

• Execute routine stem cell culture and differentiation protocols.
• Conduct and optimize medium- to high-throughput lentiviral transduction-based experiments to introduce arrayed genetic perturbations into engineered cell lines.
• Use in vitro cell-based assays, including flow cytometry, imaging, and immunostaining, and molecular biology techniques to characterize genetically perturbed cells before and after differentiation.
• Support cross-functional execution of arrayed and pooled genetic perturbation screens for Arc’s Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative.
• Execute tasks and experiments systematically, with a focus on efficiency and reproducibility.
• Maintain careful records in an electronic lab notebook and organize materials and reagents with detailed tracking in the LIMS system.
• Troubleshoot workflows and identify opportunities to improve protocols and platform capabilities.
• Analyze and present data at internal meetings and seminars.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior