Discovery Sciences Research Associate II

About iQ Biosciences

iQ Biosciences is a contract research organization dedicated to providing immunology research bioservices and biospecimens, and bioconjugation enabling preclinical research studies. We serve as a trusted partner for the biomedical community and help deliver innovative therapeutics for physicians and patients. iQ Biosciences fosters a company culture of employee inclusion, accountability, integrity, and a shared sense of team urgency, knowing that patients are waiting with critical needs.

We are entering a dynamic growth phase and are seeking a highly motivated Discovery Sciences Research Associate II to join our Discovery Sciences group. This position offers high growth potential  and provides a great learning opportunity to encounter the different approaches that drug development companies, from start-ups to big pharma, are taking to improve human health in the immunology and the oncology therapeutic areas.

Position Description: Research Associate II; Discovery Sciences – (DSRA2)

Reporting to a Senior Research Associate or Scientist, the Research Associate II will be primarily responsible for planning and executing project assignments across various subgroups (Cellular Products, Bioservices, and Bioconjugation). Performing work under general supervision, the candidate will perform immunoassays and cell-based assays to support internal R&D projects, product validation, or clients’ research, preclinical, and early drug development projects. Additionally, the Research Associate II will receive, process, isolate, and cryopreserve primary cells or subsets derived from both human and animal tissue. The successful Research Associate II will demonstrate the ability to work autonomously, or collaboratively with other individuals, to effectively plan and schedule tasks, execute technical procedures, and troubleshoot workflows for process enhancement. They will also analyze data, offer data interpretation, and present daily project summaries using effective communication channels (i.e. email, PowerPoint, or verbal voiceover). 

At the Research Associate II level, individuals must demonstrate independence and technical proficiency across a range of cellular isolation and bioassay techniques. Moreover, with time and experience, they should display the capability to enhance their efficiency in project execution.

The Research Associate II will demonstrate a willingness to develop independent learning agility via active notetaking, proactive scientific literature reading, and engaging in collaborative scientific discussions with cross-functional individuals and other business stakeholders.  The candidate must be able to independently research literature with minimal guidance, extrapolate technical methods for comparison, draft testable experimental protocols, and execute while troubleshooting. They must accurately record results, allowing for iterative experimental improvement and yielding a finalized protocol. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Bioservices Assay Performance

• Plan, perform, and analyze data from assays to biophysically characterize, elucidate mechanisms of action, and enable selection of antibodies based on ELISA, cell line binding, specificity, cell cytotoxicity, internalization, cytokine release, proliferation, ADCC, ADCP, and CDC or other assays.
  • Utilize Zoho Projects to receive and track assignments.
  • Generate study plans and Excel files from formal proposal documents, bringing forth any discrepancies and understanding the general purpose and underlying principle of the studies.
  • Independently determine reagent needs and place and track relevant orders. 
• Independently prepare data summaries for client studies adhering to iQ’s standards of data presentation, including generation of conclusions based on data interpretation.
• Perform tissue culture with primary cells and immortalized cell lines. Troubleshoot independently as possible but confer with team members and supervisors to address challenging cell lines, as appropriate.
• Engage with clients case-by-case through written communication.

Cellular Processing and Product Validation

• Perform isolation of cells (human, non-human primate, rodent, etc.) using various techniques, such as density gradient centrifugation. 
• Proactively plan, execute, and analyze assignments, prioritize workflows, and troubleshoot effectively and independently. 
  • Order materials, including raw biological materials, and schedule and coordinate with vendors.
• Utilize methods such as immuno-magnetic isolation, Intellicyt acquisition, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for subset isolation and characterization.
• Conduct multi-color flow cytometry, including cell staining and data acquisition, design plate maps, analyze, evaluate, interpret data, and prepare reports.
• Ensure accuracy and precision in various cell counting procedures and perform cryopreservation of primary cells.
• Generate detailed electronic and written records based on testing and analysis of cell and/or tissue samples and perform data entry (LIMS).
• Actively use Zoho Projects for daily tasks, ensuring timely updates, and completion of projects.
• Plan, execute, and oversee cell expansion projects to generate large quantities of cells for internal, retail, and research and development purposes. Develop and optimize protocols, as needed.
• Design, execute, and analyze functional testing assays to evaluate the activity and efficacy of cellular products, including ADCC, ADCP, TDCC, T cell activation (activation marker analysis by flow cytometry and cytokine quantitation) and Treg suppression.

Procurement

• Act as a vendor point-of-contact for experimental procedures and support the procurement of materials, including ordering raw materials, reagents, isolation kits, and consumables as needed.
• Help obtain quotes, schedule and coordinate with vendors, and engage with new vendors to describe order specifications.

Bioconjugation Support

• Perform buffer preparation and material aliquoting, in strict adherence to guidelines and SOPs to support Bioconjugation workflows. 
• Perform plasma stability assessment assay setup.
• After initial training period, perform standard protein analytical techniques and workflows as needed (e.g. HPLC, QTOF-MS, or endotoxin analysis for specific analytical endpoints).

Research & Development:

• Provide technical support for the execution of specific selected R&D projects, collaborating with the R&D team on experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Attend and contribute to R&D meetings and communicate with cross-functional teams including researchers, scientists, and project managers to ensure alignment with project goals and timelines.
• Contribute to the preparation of R&D scientific reports, and presentations for internal review.
• As directed, stay updated on the latest advancements in the R&D projects techniques and research to enhance experimental design and execution.

Laboratory Maintenance:

• Maintain, clean, and organize laboratory work area, consumables, and equipment, prepare and test buffers, culture media, and reagents, and coordinate courier scheduling and planning.
• As requested, perform landscape research, and assess the benefits and drawbacks of equipment or other lab-based needs.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 40 pounds approximately 0 to 1 time per day/shift. 

Activity:   Lifting Large Shipping Boxes

Frequency:  0-1 time(s) per day

Item Dimensions:   18”H x 12”W x 13”D

Weight:  40 lbs

Starting Height:   43”

Finish Height:   0”

Distance from Body:   5”

• Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds approximately 5 to 10 times per day/shift.

Activity:   Lifting Liquid Nitrogen Racks

Frequency:  ~5-10 times per day

Item Dimensions:   33” H x 6” W x 6” D

Weight:  25 lbs.

Starting Grip Height:   43”

Finish Grip Height:   60”

Distance from Body:   14”

• Must be able to stand and walk continuously throughout an 8-hour shift.
• Must comply with laboratory policies and procedures.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of laboratory experience in a biotech/pharmaceutical industry and/or academic research setting or in the areas of Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry or a related field. 
• Hands-on experience with functional assay testing, cell culture techniques (preferably mammalian cell culture), and other relevant laboratory procedures.
• General Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 
• The ideal candidate will be patient (yet responds with urgency), highly adaptive and flexible, with a strong desire to learn about pharmaceutical/biotech drug discovery and development.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, including detailed record-keeping, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret experimental data and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Must be able to independently make decisions regarding study execution at indicated ‘checkpoints’ or appropriately judge when suggested course of action should be reviewed by another appropriate individual. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, and communicate effectively.

Preferred:

• Technical Computer Software literacy, including GraphPad Prism, Softmax, and Flow Cytometry-based applications (CellQuest Pro, FlowJo, ForeCyt).
• Proficiency in cell expansion techniques including cell isolation, propagation, and cryopreservation.

General:

• Must be able to work on-site from our lab location in Alameda, primarily from 9 am-5:30 pm Mondays through Fridays. 
• Schedule may vary slightly from week to week depending on business need.
• Full time, exempt position not subject to FLSA and California overtime regulations.
• May require occasional night and/or weekend work.
• Starting range (based on experience) $71,000 to $78,000. Full position range $71,000 to $95,000 .*
• Medical, dental, vision, health FSA (with employer contribution), 401K with employer match (after 90 days introductory period), long term disability insurance, EAP, paid holidays, PTO, and free lunch/snacks.

*    Starting range is what iQ will pay someone starting in this role. Full range includes the minimum and maximum for this title, allowing for potential performance-based increases over time.

Note: This Job description outlines the potential duties and requirements of the Research Associate II position. Actual duties will be determined based on business need and additional responsibilities may be assigned, as necessary, to support the goals and objectives of the organization.