Senior/Staff Research Associate

Pendulum™•San Francisco, CA

3d•$110,500 - $123,500

About The Position

Pendulum is currently seeking a Senior Research Associate (or Staff Research Associate, depending on experience) to join our Product Development team. This role will carry significant responsibility across fermentation operations and flow cytometry workflows, supporting anaerobic probiotic strain production and strain quality control, along with other exploratory lab work. Strong aseptic and anaerobic techniques are core requirements. This role's work will directly support improvements to current products as well as the development of new products. We’re looking for someone who’s energized by the pace and possibility of a fast-growing, mission-driven company. You thrive in a collaborative, nimble environment where ideas are shaped through iteration, feedback, and shared vision. You’re not just a big thinker—you’re also a creative problem-solver who knows how to make things happen with limited resources. If you're excited by the opportunity to help shape a young brand from the ground up, and passionate about building something with purpose, you'll feel right at home here.

Requirements

B.S. with 4+ years experience post graduation or MS graduate
Expert in aseptic techniques used in microbiology and anaerobic growth of bacteria; expert in independently operating bioreactor systems (e.g., DASGIP) for fermentation
Expert in in flow cytometry techniques used for live/dead bacterial cell classification
Proficiency in basic anaerobic microbiology and sterile technique
Demonstrated ability to work independently and be a fully contributing member of a multi-functional fast-paced team environment
Experience developing/writing SOPs, documenting and tracking lot numbers, and using lab management systems
Comfort (and preferably experience) in handling human and animal samples, including stool, skin and blood
Detail oriented and organized, with good oral and written presentation skills
Familiar with Microsoft office, Google apps, basic data analysis, and basic AI tools

Nice To Haves

Experience with shelf-life and stability testing of live biotherapeutic or probiotic products
Familiarity with real-time and accelerated stability study design and execution

Responsibilities

Independently operate DASGIP bioreactor systems for anaerobic probiotic strain fermentation, including sterile setup, inoculation, and process monitoring
Lead and manage design of experiments for anaerobic fermentation
Run and analyze flow cytometry assays supporting strain quality control and process development, managing this work across multiple concurrent projects
Become a subject matter expert in flow cytometry
Execute rigorous aseptic and anaerobic technique across fermentation and general microbiology work
Manage and organize assay workflows, draft protocols, and support day-to-day lab operations
Work with cross-disciplinary teams on experimental design, execution, and data analysis
Keep up-to-date on current scientific literature related to microbiology