Cell Engineering Co-op (Based in San Carlos, CA)

Portal Biotechnologies is a rapidly scaling cell-engineering platform company with sites in Watertown, MA and San Carlos, CA. Portal is redefining how scientists and clinicians engineer cells across research, drug discovery, and therapeutic applications. Since launching its first product in 2024, Portal has built a network of 80+ active customers, including most of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies and leading academic hospitals worldwide. Backed by $14M in venture funding and an $8M DARPA contract, Portal’s proprietary mechanoporation technology transiently perturbs cell membranes as they pass through a silicon microstructure. This enables efficient multiplex delivery of diverse cargos such as RNA, proteins, small molecules, and gene-editing tools without compromising cell function. The approach is simple and scalable, supporting applications from high-throughput drug screening to clinical-scale manufacturing.

We are seeking two motivated and collaborative co-ops to join our team. Ideal candidates will be eager to contribute to early-stage, high-impact projects and demonstrate the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. This is a terrific opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cell engineering and the start-up environment, while supporting the advancement of our core technology and product portfolio. 

How you’ll make an impact:

• Develop next generation cell engineering methods utilizing materials such as antibodies, nanoparticles, RNA, and CRISPR/Cas-9
• Perform primary cell culture and isolation techniques
• Culture iPSCs and drive them into desirable differentiation states
• Perform in vitro cell assays, including qPCR, multicolor flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, western blot,  RNAseq, microscopy, and co-culture assays
• Independently conduct experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot issues, and communicate findings to the research team
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and up-to-date experimental records

Your experience & qualifications: 

• Currently pursuing a degree in bioengineering, biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering or related degree
• Completion of at least one related co-op rotation, two is a plus 
• Strong background in cell culture techniques, ideally with primary human cells and/or red blood cells 
• Understanding of safe lab practices, aseptic technique, and BSL2 requirements
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and motivated to learn and build new technical skills
• Prior experience with flow cytometry is preferred
• Experience with molecular biology (PCR, qPCR, sequencing) and/or  electroporation is a plus

Please note:  This is for Portal’s CA site located at MBC Biolabs in San Carlos, CA - onsite parking is available and it's a 15 minute walk from the Caltrain station.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and to provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

In their own words:

My co-op experience at Portal was a blast! It definitely stood out from any of my previous co-op or research roles. I had the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting projects, both within Portal and in collaboration with external partners, which allowed me to quickly gain exposure to different areas of research. Beyond the science, the company culture at Portal is fantastic. I enjoyed learning about everyone's roles across the organization and getting to know the team through fun outings and company events. I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to join Portal as a full-time employee, and I’m excited to continue working with such an amazing team.

I highly recommend this co-op to anyone interested in cellular engineering who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment!

-Ain Imchen, Bioengineering '26, Northeastern University 

“I joined as a Co-op with Portal in the Summer of 2023 and had an incredibly rewarding experience! As my first co-op in Biotech, I got to learn about a variety of new lab techniques and analysis methods that we used to inform product design. My colleagues and managers at Portal were always there to answer questions and to help me learn more. Working at an early-stage startup company also provided me exposure to product development, strategy, and partnering decisions for the first time in my career. My time as a co-op at Portal was so valuable that I decided to continue working part-time while I finished my final semester of classes at Northeastern. After graduating I officially joined the Portal team full time and have not looked back!”

-Andrew Larocque, Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry ‘24, Northeastern University