Research Associate - Protein Science & Cell Biology

Research Associate
- Protein Science
- Cell Biology (256375) San Francisco, California

Salary: USD
40 - USD
55 per hour + 401k, Benefits, Sick Time

Position Type: 2-Month Initial Contract (High potential for extension to 6+ months or conversion to Direct-Hire)

Pay Rate: $40.00 - $55.00 / hour (based on experience) + Overtime

Schedule Options:

Shift A:
Weekdays | 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Mon-Fri base hours, flexibility required)

Medix is seeking a highly hands-on Research Associate to support cutting-edge protein science and cell biology workflows on an autonomous lab platform.

This role is ideal for an experienced scientist who genuinely loves being at the bench—someone who is dedicated to honing their craft in a fast-paced industry lab and takes pride in rigorous, reproducible science.

You will work closely with scientists and roboticists to execute, validate, and optimize protein characterization workflows and cell-based assays. You thrive when given a specific task to own end-to-end, bringing the intuition and industry experience necessary to operate independently in an evolving environment.

Protein Expression:
Execute experiments across multiple host systems (e.g., mammalian,

E. coli, cell-free) at various scales, ranging 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 binding and functional assays to evaluate candidates against cell-surface targets and assess functional activity.

Cell Culture Facility 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 & Process:
Maintain accurate, detailed experimental records in Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) and contribute to SOP development.

Collaboration:

Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth handoffs and timely execution across the protein screening and characterization workflow.

Education:

B.S./B.A. or M.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.

Industry

Experience:

2+ years of hands-on, industry lab experience (B.S./B.A.) OR 1+ years (M.S.) focused on protein science. We value deep bench experience over advanced degrees.

Demonstrated expertise in protein expression using mammalian cell lines (e.g., Expi
293, ExpiCHO) and/or microbial systems.

Strong hands-on experience with high-throughput protein quality control (QC) and biophysical characterization.

Proven track record maintaining mammalian cell lines and performing cell-based assays (including flow cytometry) in an industry setting.

Mindset & Mechanics:
Strong documentation habits, acute attention to detail, and a scrappy,  get-it-done  attitude with the ability to figure things out independently.

Experience or familiarity with develop ability assessment assays (HIC, AC-SINS, PSR, or similar).

Familiarity with analytical characterization techniques (HPLC-SEC, HPLC-HIC, or FACS-based binding assays).

Familiarity with imaging-based cell assays (high-content imaging, fluorescence microscopy).

Experience with cell-free protein expression or specialized enzyme workflows.

Comfort working alongside lab automation or robotics platforms.

Schedule:

We are hiring across two primary shifts (Shift A: Weekdays 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM | Shift B: Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).

Schedule Flexibility:
As new workflows and customer projects are actively onboarded, candidate flexibility is essential. Standard shifts are 8 hours, but typical workdays can range from 6 to 10 hours depending on daily laboratory operations.

Overtime Opportunity:
Candidates must be comfortable and open to working ample overtime (1-4 extra hours per day as needed).