Research Associate, Molecular Biology

Role Summary

The Research Associate - Research Associate II will independently perform cell-based assays, tissue culture experiments, general molecular biology techniques, and plasmid construction to support human health initiatives. The role requires flexibility to manage multiple cell-based projects simultaneously, strong laboratory aptitude, and adequate documentation and communication skills. Location: Germantown, MD.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cell-based assays and tissue culture experiments with mammalian cell lines
• Perform general molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid purification, qPCR, and RT-qPCR
• Construct plasmids and perform molecular cloning (transformation, plasmid prep, restriction digest, Gibson assembly)
• Perform viral transduction and other gene expression methods (transfection, electroporation)
• Work with primary immune cells and perform cell-based reporter gene assays (luciferase, GFP)
• Run microplate-based immunoassays (ELISAs) and process tissue for nucleic acid analysis
• Utilize multicolor flow cytometry and maintain electronic laboratory notebooks
• Document experiments and present data using Microsoft Office and statistical software

Qualifications

• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Immunology, or related field
• Experience: Minimum two (2) years of laboratory research experience, preferably in an industry setting
• Proficiency in sterile cell culture techniques and maintenance/manipulation of mammalian cell lines
• Experience with viral transduction and gene expression methods (transfection or electroporation)
• Prior work with primary immune cells
• Experience with cell-based reporter gene assays (luciferase or GFP)
• Experience with ELISAs and other immunoassays; tissue processing for nucleic acid analysis
• General molecular biology techniques (nucleic acid purification, qPCR, RT-qPCR)
• Familiarity with molecular cloning techniques (transformation, plasmid prep, restriction digest, Gibson assembly) is highly desirable
• Knowledge of multicolor flow cytometry
• Documentation using an Electronic Laboratory Notebook
• Proven ability to use Microsoft Office, statistical software, and data presentation tools

Skills

• Excellent communication skills
• Enthusiastic about learning new techniques
• Self-motivated and independent
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact across levels
• Meticulous, detail-oriented, and capable of coordinating parallel tasks
• Strong quantitative and analytical capabilities
• Adaptive in a rapidly changing environment and capable of interpreting various formats of instructions