Senior Research Associate - Enhanced Lung

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The job details are as follows:

Who We Are

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs.
 

United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
 

The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option.
The Enhanced Lung Program focuses on developing novel technologies to enhance donor lung performance and improve transplant outcomes. Our scientists work at the intersection of organ perfusion, gene therapy, and bioengineering to modify and optimize lungs outside the body prior to transplantation.

Who You Are

This is hands‑on science with real impact. As a Senior Research Associate on our Enhanced Lung team, you’ll be at the bench doing the work that turns bold ideas into real data. You’ll independently run complex experiments, support gene delivery studies in lung tissue and EVLP systems, and help generate the evidence that moves programs forward. This role is designed for someone who takes pride in technical excellence, thrives in fast‑moving environments, and wants to see their work directly contribute to life‑changing therapies. If you love solving problems at the bench and want your work to truly matter, you’ll find a strong sense of purpose here.

The Senior Research Associate will provide hands-on laboratory support for gene modification studies in lung tissue and EVLP systems. This individual will independently execute complex experiments, contribute to assay development, and support preclinical studies evaluating gene delivery, expression, and functional outcomes in lung tissue and perfusion models.
 

• Support viral and non-viral gene delivery strategies (e.g., AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral, mRNA/LNP platforms)
• Design and execute laboratory experiments supporting gene delivery and expression in lung tissue models and EVLP systems
• Perform and troubleshoot advanced molecular and cell biology assays including qPCR/ddPCR, ELISA, multiplex assays, Western blotting, and flow cytometry
• Support tissue processing, perfusion experiments, and analytical evaluation of engineered lung tissues
• Support preclinical study execution including sample processing, assay analysis, and data interpretation
• Maintain high-quality documentation suitable for regulated or translational environments
• Work closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, analytical development, device engineering, and clinical teams
• Ensure compliance with laboratory procedures, SOPs, and quality standards
• Maintain laboratory organization, equipment readiness, and reagent inventory
• Train and mentor junior research associates on experimental techniques and laboratory best practices
• All other duties as required

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related life sciences discipline
• 5+ years of relevant laboratory experience (biotech/pharma industry experience preferred) with a Bachelor's Degree or
• 3+ years of relevant laboratory experience (biotech/pharma industry experience preferred) with a Master's Degree
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy of work
• Tissue handling and dissection
• Aseptic technique
• Experience with good documentation practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related life sciences discipline
• Experience with gene delivery technologies (viral vectors or non-viral systems preferred)
• Strong background in molecular biology techniques (PCR/qPCR/ddPCR, nucleic acid extraction, sequencing preparation)
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and tissue-based assays
• Experience with complex assay troubleshooting and experimental optimization
• Experience with lung biology, transplant research, or perfusion-based models
• Experience working in multidisciplinary biotechnology environments
• Experience supporting preclinical studies or IND-enabling work

The salary range for this position is $79,000 - $105,000 per year and reflects our good-faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business needs, as well as other factors permitted by law at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future based on company and market factors.

Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities

United Therapeutics  Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.