Research Associate - Biosensing

About the role

This position centers on the design, execution, and iterative refinement of protein-based sensing technologies within a high-paced research environment. The hire will own the end-to-end development cycle for novel biosensor candidates, ensuring scientific rigor is maintained from initial construct design through to quantitative performance validation. You will be responsible for evolving assay methodologies and establishing robust experimental frameworks that translate theoretical protein behaviors into reliable measurement strategies. This role requires a proactive approach to troubleshooting complex biological and hardware interfaces to ensure consistent and reproducible data generation. You will act as a critical link between fundamental protein engineering and the practical constraints of device-based readouts in a manufacturing context. The position demands ownership of both the scientific insights and the procedural discipline necessary to move projects from exploratory bench work to scalable screening pipelines. You will contribute directly to the generation of high-quality datasets that define the performance boundaries of our molecular monitoring platform.

Key facts

What you'll do

Design and execute experiments to express and purify engineered protein binders and whole-cell biosensor candidates using standard and advanced molecular biology techniques.

Construct and order synthetic DNA constructs, complex mutant libraries, and reporter fusion variants necessary for biosensor discovery and optimization.

Operate and maintain a diverse suite of instrumentation including benchtop readers, plate-based assay systems, and novel custom hardware for biophysical measurements.

Execute fluorescence-based assays, biochemical characterizations, and biophysical measurements to rigorously define protein-ligand interactions.

Generate and analyze dose-response curves to extract quantitative parameters such as EC50, Kd, dynamic range, signal-to-noise, selectivity, kinetics, reversibility, stability, and drift.

Implement and support yeast display platforms, FACS-based screening campaigns, and iterative directed evolution workflows to enhance binder affinity and specificity.

Integrate optical and electrochemical readouts with benchtop hardware to create functional biosensor prototypes suitable for real-time monitoring.

Automate repetitive assay steps by developing scripts and protocols for liquid handlers, plate readers, and associated data acquisition systems.

Maintain comprehensive and searchable records of genetic constructs, purified samples, sequence-function relationships, assay metadata, instrument configurations, and raw experimental results.

Translate one-off experimental successes into standardized, repeatable protocols that can be reliably scaled to support high-throughput platform requirements.

Collaborate cross-functionally with chemistry and device engineering teams to ensure biosensor performance aligns with device integration and manufacturing constraints.

Evaluate new reagents and protein scaffolds to determine suitability for integration into the broader biosensing platform.

Troubleshoot inconsistent assay performance by methodically analyzing biological, chemical, and hardware variables to identify root causes.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory documentation and data management practices to support regulatory-grade traceability.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or other relevant field.

Possess a minimum of 2 years of hands-on wet lab experience focused on protein engineering or biophysical assay development.

Demonstrate meticulous precision in experimental execution and complex project coordination.

Show a strong commitment to data integrity, sample tracking, and accurate record-keeping in a fast-paced laboratory setting.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining rigorous attention to detail in all procedural steps.

Comfortable designing and modifying experimental protocols based on empirical findings and scientific literature review.

Effective written and verbal communication skills to clearly document methods and present findings to scientific and engineering teams.

Willingness to adhere to established laboratory safety protocols and quality standards in all aspects of daily work.

Nice to have

Extensive hands-on experience with biophysical methods and instrumentation used for thermodynamics and kinetics measurements.

Proficiency in writing custom Python or R scripts for the analysis of large biochemical or biophysical datasets.

Demonstrated experience with laboratory automation technologies, particularly liquid handling robots and associated control software.

Practical knowledge of biomaterial preparation methods and protein functionalization chemistry.

Understanding of industry-standard practices in protein engineering, device integration, and quality control procedures.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in Pasadena, California.

The role requires on-site presence at the laboratory location.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position.

No current visa sponsorship is available for this role.

The posting will remain open until the position is filled.