Research Associate/Senior Research Associate

ShapeTX® is pioneering the field of programmable RNA medicines to repair the genetic causes of diseases. By merging innovations in AI and RNA technology to generate and analyze hundreds of billions of therapeutic possibilities, ShapeTX is developing breakthroughs in RNA editing, next-generation AAVs, and disruptive gene therapy manufacturing. The ShapeTX platform enables pharma innovators to design treatments across a wide range of diseases, including rare genetic disorders as well as debilitating conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and many more. You can find us at shapetx.com and on LinkedIn and Twitter.

At ShapeTX, we are a dynamic team of professionals who are dedicated and passionate about making cures a reality. Through diversity of thought, scientific knowledge, professional rigor and focus we are merging cutting-edge science with extensive drug development expertise to unlock cures to many debilitating diseases.

Shape Therapeutics is headquartered in Seattle, Washington with a satellite site in Boston, Massachusetts.

Position Overview 

The Process and Product Development (P&PD) team at ShapeTX is looking for a teachable, highly motivated Research Associate /Senior Research Associate (RA/SRA) with specific experience in cell culture laboratory techniques. In this role, the successful candidate will perform a variety of laboratory experiments that support the development and implementation of ShapeTX’s proprietary rAAV production platform.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a rapidly growing biotechnology company and have a tangible impact on the development of novel platforms and products that treat serious human disease.

What You’ll Do

• Operate bench-scale bioreactors including run preparation, inoculation, daily sampling and analytics, troubleshooting, cleaning and maintenance
• rAAV production via mammalian culture in shake flasks, and bench-scale bioreactors.
• Build and autoclave bioreactor parts and assemblies, prepare and maintain bioreactor-related equipment (controllers, pumps, scales, sensors, etc.)
• Follow SOPs to generate quality materials to support cross-functional teams
• Perform mammalian cell culture work in an aseptic hood such as cell passaging and cell banking
• Pay close attention to experimental details to plan and perform lab tasks independently  
• Assist with media and buffer preparation when needed
• Keep a clean and organized lab space
• Document technical results and best practices in ELNs, SOPs, summary reports, etc.
• Good communication skills, efficiently organize time and resources to meet deadlines
• Maintain a detailed electronic laboratory notebook
• May be required to work Holidays/ weekends, overtime & work outside normal business hours

What you Bring

• BS in Cellular Biology, Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related discipline
• 1-3 years of post-degree experience in an academic or industry research capacity
• Experience growing mammalian cells in bioreactors
• Experience with aseptic technique and small-scale mammalian cell culture
• Experience preparing cell culture media and buffers
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting scientific or electronic equipment
• General understanding of circuits (grounding, power, signal, etc.)
• Experience with paper or electronic lab notebooks
• Ability to troubleshoot and think analytically
• Strong work ethic and a team player
• Ability to effectively communicate via email, interpersonally, and in presentation

Compensation & Benefits 

ShapeTX offers a robust benefits package, including but not limited to:  

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents 
• 12 paid Holidays plus a one-week winter break at year end.  
• We are proud to offer a competitive paid parental leave benefit for all parents to bond with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child. We will also partner to create a supportive plan of return.
• An annual employee stipend for employees to use however they choose 
• Flex Paid Time Off program (allowing flexible PTO for vacation, sick leave, and other purposes)  
• Company paid Long Term Disability 
• Employees are eligible to enroll in our Company’s voluntary 401k plan, voluntary Life/AD&D, and Voluntary FSA’s.  

The salary ranges are as follows:

Research Associate: $61,000-$83,000

Senior Research Associate: $72,000-$98,000

 The hired candidate's placement within the salary range will be determined through a comprehensive evaluation, including interviews, a review of education, experience, qualifications, and abilities, while ensuring equity with other team members. Our total rewards package may also include an annual target bonus, sign-on bonus, equity grant, and relocation bonus. 

Equal Opportunity Employment  

ShapeTX provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, familial or marital status, religion, age, disability or any other class or status protected by applicable laws.   

We aspire to Shape Life! not only through our science, but also through our commitment to foster an inclusive environment that supports diverse perspectives and experiences.  

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