Research Associate - Protein Science & Cell Biology

Research Associate, Protein Science & Cell Biology (Contract-to-Hire)

Client Industry: Next-Generation, Automated Biotechnology Platform

Employment Type: 9-Month Contract-to-Hire

Pay: $38 - $55/hr

Are you a hands-on researcher who loves being at the bench? Do you take pride in rigorous, reproducible science and thrive in a fast-paced industry lab?

Medix is partnering with an innovative, venture-backed biotechnology company in San Francisco to find two (2) highly motivated Research Associates to join their team. This is a 9-month contract-to-hire position operating on an advanced, automated laboratory platform. You will work closely with a cross-functional team of scientists and engineers to execute, validate, and optimize protein characterization workflows and cell-based assays.

As a Contract-to-Hire Research Associate, you will independently own and execute experimental workflows, ensuring high-quality data generation for an advanced laboratory platform. Your core duties will include:

• Protein Expression: Execute protein expression experiments across multiple host systems (e.g., mammalian,
  
  E. coli, cell-free) at various scales, from small-scale screens to larger production runs.
• Biophysical Characterization: Run protein characterization assays, including SPR, BLI, DSF/DSC, and various develop ability assays.
• Cell-Based Assays: Perform cell-based binding and functional assays to evaluate candidates against cell-surface targets and assess functional activity.
• Lab Operations: Own day-to-day operation and organization of the cell culture facility, including routine passaging using sterile technique, inventory management, and equipment maintenance.
• Documentation & SOPs: Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records in Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) and contribute to SOP development.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with scientists and cross-functional team members to ensure smooth handoffs and timely execution across the protein screening and characterization workflow.

We are looking for candidates who have spent years honing their craft at the bench and can operate with a high degree of independence.

• Education: B.S., B.A., or M.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Industry
  
  Experience:
  
  
• With B.S./B.A.: 4–6 years of hands‑on, industry lab experience in protein science.
• With M.S.: 2–4 years of hands‑on, industry lab experience in protein science.
• Protein Expression Expertise: Demonstrated experience with mammalian cell lines (e.g., Expi
  293, ExpiCHO) and/or microbial systems.
• Characterization
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong hands‑on experience with high‑throughput protein quality control and biophysical characterization.
• Cell Culture: Experience maintaining mammalian cell lines and performing cell‑based assays in an industry setting, including flow cytometry.
• Professional Attributes: Strong documentation habits, excellent attention to detail, a scrappy, can‑do attitude, and the ability to work independently on defined tasks.
• Availability: Must be locally based in the Bay Area and ready for a fast turnaround/immediate start for contract placement.

• Familiarity with develop ability assessment assays (HIC, AC-SINS, PSR, or similar).
• Familiarity with analytical characterization techniques such as HPLC-SEC, HPLC-HIC, or FACS‑based binding assays.
• Familiarity with imaging‑based cell assays (e.g., high‑content imaging, fluorescence microscopy).
• Experience with cell‑free protein expression or specialized enzyme workflows.
• Comfort or experience working with lab automation or high‑throughput robotics platforms.