Research Associate, Cell Line Development Automation
Hybrid (Emeryville, CA)$85k - $115kFull-timePosted 4d ago
About the role
Research Associate II or Senior Research Associate to join the Automation/Cell Line Development team, focusing on laboratory automation and high-throughput workflows to support cell line development and optimize optogenetic CHO cell lines. On-site at headquarters in Emeryville, CA.
Responsibilities
- Conduct experiments independently, collect and analyze data in a timely manner, and maintain detailed documentation in electronic lab notebooks.
- Conduct experiments at the Automation/CLD interface and establish efficient automation workflows (Tecan or Hamilton) for CLD processes during seed train, production, or screening (Ambr or Beacon) processes.
- Communicate successfully with any team, demonstrating the ability to compile and present across different teams and forums within the company.
- Quickly analyze and provide critical data and figures to support presentations, patent applications, or publications.
- Collaborate closely with members of the CLD team as well as other teams within Prolific Machines. Contribute to lab maintenance and safety as a good lab citizen.
- Develop and optimize analytical methods, ensuring adherence to safety and operational standards, following established protocols, and providing data for regulatory submissions.
- This is a lab-based position, and onsite presence is required as dictated by Automation and Cell Line Development (CLD) responsibilities and experimental needs.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor's degree with 2-5+ years of relevant industry experience or a Master's degree with 1-4+ years of relevant experience is expected for an RA II position. Additional experience and increased independence expected at the Sr. RA level.
- Designing and Executing Experiments: Developing and proposing experimental plans, conducting experiments, and troubleshooting analytical techniques and methodologies
- Work Style: The candidate is expected to precisely follow protocols, design and execute experiments independently, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced setting.
- Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for documenting findings and effective collaboration. Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) software and ability to perform independent data analysis and generating meaningful conclusions is required.
- Experience with cell line development workflows (pool generation, clonal isolation, stability testing).
- Experience with automation systems used during CLD processes (scripting experience on the Tecan or Hamilton would be an added plus).
- Exposure to high-throughput screening platforms (e.g., Beacon, Ambr, Octet, Cedex, and other regularly used Automation systems).
- Experience with molecular cloning and molecular biology techniques (PCR, protein quantification).
- Working knowledge of statistical analysis or design of experiments (DoE). Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced R&D environment.
- Nice to have: Familiarity with optogenetic systems, inducible promoters, or light-responsive protein engineering.
Skills
Required:Experiment design and executionData analysis and interpretationDocumentationLaboratory automationCell line developmentMolecular biology techniques
Nice to have:High-throughput screening platforms
Benefits
- Generous equity package in an early stage company
- retirement plan with company contribution
- flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums
- company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
- life and disability insurance
- career coaching
- mental health support
- free team lunches everyday
- great snacks
- companywide social events
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About Prolific Machines
Illuminating biomanufacturing. Enabling tomorrow’s biotherapeutics.
Difficult protein production made simple. A next-generation expression system for next-generation therapeutics.
protein productionbiotherapeuticscell line developmentbiomanufacturingoptogeneticsAI-driven bioprocess optimization
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