Senior Research Associate, Platform/R&D

Azalea Therapeutics•Berkeley, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Azalea Therapeutics is enabling precision genome engineering directly inside the body, with an initial focus on creating cancer immunotherapies in vivo. Azalea is pioneering a new way to turn a person’s own T cells into a powerful cancer therapy — directly inside the body. Instead of removing cells and manipulating them in a lab, we use precision genome editing tools to engineer T cells where they already live. At the center of our approach are Enveloped Delivery Vehicles, or EDVs. As highly selective couriers, EDVs are designed to specifically locate T cells within the patient and deliver our genome engineering cargo. Once inside the cell, the anti-cancer agent is inserted into a precise site in the genome, ensuring safe and potent modifications to fortify the T cells against cancers. We aim to make cell therapy faster and more accessible by avoiding complex manufacturing outside the body. Our platform is designed for precision, so the right cells are safely programmed to effectively fight cancer. This technology has the potential to treat a wide range of cancers with a streamlined, scalable process. Our goal is simple: develop next-generation delivery technologies to bring genetic engineering and cell therapies to more patients.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related life sciences discipline.
3+ years of hands-on laboratory research experience in academia or industry with demonstrated expertise in molecular biology techniques.
Strong experience independently executing PCR-based workflows, including PCR, PCR cleanup, qPCR/ddPCR, nucleic acid quantification and sample preparation.
Experience performing routine molecular cloning, including Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate Assembly, restriction enzyme cloning, plasmid construction, transformation, and midi/maxi plasmid preparations.
Experience supporting NGS-related laboratory workflows and analyzing sequencing data using established software tools or analysis pipelines.
Familiarity with basic bioinformatics tools and scripting environments (e.g. biopython e.g., Biopython, Python, R, or similar) and foundational genomics concepts, including FASTQ and downstream sequencing file formats, sequence alignment, mapping quality, and quality control metrics).
Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, cell line maintenance, and processing biological samples derived from cell and tissue based experiments.
Demonstrated ability to independently plan, prioritize, execute, troubleshoot, and document experiments while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret experimental data, identify technical challenges, and implement effective solutions.
Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and experience maintaining accurate laboratory documentation, including electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present data and collaborate across multidisciplinary research teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience using KingFisher or similar automated nucleic acid extraction platforms.
Experience with vector genome, genomic integrity, or biodistribution assays within a gene therapy or viral vector development environment.
Experience with flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and associated data analysis.
Experience with CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing techniques, guide RNA design and validation, and downstream molecular characterization.
Experience producing and characterizing lentiviral or AAV vectors.
Prior experience supporting preclinical, IND-enabling, or pre-IND research programs within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical organization.
Prior experience managing multiple workflows.
Experience working in a dynamic startup environment, demonstrating flexibility, ownership, and a willingness to support evolving research priorities.
Proven ability to mentor junior laboratory staff or train colleagues on laboratory techniques and best practices.

Responsibilities

Independently execute molecular biology assays, including PCR-based workflows, PCR cleanups, ddPCR, routine cloning, and related sample preparation.
Run and adapt existing software/pipelines to analyze and plot NGS data.
Perform routine cloning workflows, including Gibson assembly, Golden Gate assembly, restriction enzyme cloning, and plasmid preparation.
Perform routine cell culture and lentiviral vector production.
Process samples derived from cell- and tissue-based workflows.
Generate, organize, and communicate high-quality assay data to internal R&D teams.
Work cross-functionally with research and analytics team members to prioritize samples, troubleshoot workflows, and ensure timely data generation.
Maintain clear experimental records, follow established SOPs, and contribute to continuous improvement of lab processes.