Research Associate

About Plasmidsaurus

Plasmidsaurus is on a mission to accelerate new cures and promote a healthier planet by unlocking a new level of productivity for scientists who use DNA tools to bring their ideas to life. Our DNA sequencing tools are used daily by thousands of innovators, including Nobel prize winners, dynamic biotech startups, research labs, and DIY biohackers. Our global network of labs operates day and night to enable world-changing discoveries. In 2024, we saved these scientists 2 million hours of time, radically accelerating their research. Every team member at Plasmidsaurus plays a crucial role in driving forward the future of biotech research.

Overview

Plasmidsaurus is hiring a Research Associate as a core member of our Research and Development team at our South San Francisco headquarters. This role is ideal for someone who is frustrated with the pace of biotech research and brimming with ideas to unlock step changes in the scientific workflow. You’ll be instrumental in unleashing our next wave of transformative sequencing services, building new molecular biology methods to ensure that we continue to deliver the kind of game-changing products our customers have come to expect from us. 

What you’ll do

• Build amazing things. Support R&D scientists in developing new sequencing services.

• Get your hands dirty: Develop and run high-throughput wetlab experiments using advanced automation and robotics.

• Keep us prepped: Manage inventory and lab supply ordering. 

• Keep us organized: Maintain detailed, reproducible experimental records

• Have an eye for improvement: Identify bottlenecks, fix inefficiencies, make our workflows smarter and more efficient 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, with 2+ years hands-on wetlab work

• Experience with molecular biology techniques including plasmid design, cloning, PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, and sequencing library preparation. You should be able to think in molecular interactions.

• Strong understanding of the intricacies of different sequencing technologies and hands-on experience with DNA library prep. 

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex experimental workflows in the lab and develop creative solutions to overcome challenges. You should be able to quickly intuit the problem, rapidly validate the issue, and try a number of potential fixes in parallel. 

• High agency in the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of experiments. You should be able to quickly acquire all of the relevant reagents and zero in on the ideal solution with minimal oversight.

• You should be energized by contributing to a high-performing team, and able to leverage and develop the talents of colleagues with different backgrounds and levels of experience. 

• You should be able to identify the riskiest aspects of a new idea, and enthusiastically prioritize derisking those areas before committing to a path forward. 

• You should have the ability to work quickly with deep focus, and the ability to pivot workflows on a moment's notice

We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't perfectly align with the job description as we seek out diverse and creative perspectives. Team members who love to learn and collaborate in an inclusive environment will thrive with us. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need additional accommodations to feel comfortable during your interview process, please let us know at [email protected].