Job Details

About iQ Biosciences:

iQ Biosciences is a contract research organization dedicated to providing biospecimens, immunology-based bioservices, and bioconjugation to support preclinical research studies. We serve as a trusted partner for the biomedical community and help deliverinnovative 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 ahighly motivated Discovery Sciences Research Associate I to work closely with our Discovery Sciences teams. This position offers early professional development in a laboratory setting, supporting multiple functional groups in their daily experimental studies. It is ideal for individuals seeking basic laboratory and operational experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Position Description: Research Associate I; Discovery Sciences - (RA301)

Reporting to the Senior Research Associate in Discovery Sciences, the Research Associate I will provide lab-based technical and data entry support across various subgroups (Bioservices, Cellular Products, and Bioconjugation) and collaborate with Operations on laboratory maintenance. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong desire to learn and retain fundamental scientific concepts and techniques, supporting team members with daily projects, including wet-lab experiments, data entry, and routine tasks.

Candidates should show a willingness to develop independent learning skills through active note-taking and strong attention to detail. Within three months, they are expected to independently execute basic stages of various experimental protocols with no errors, ensuring accuracy in recording results and have immediacy with their communication about daily assigned tasks.

To succeed in this role, we have identified the following behaviors based on over 20 years of mentorship:

• Proactive Attitude: Demonstrates initiative and seeks opportunities to contribute beyond assigned tasks.
• Adaptability: Exhibits flexibility and a willingness to learn in dynamic environments.
• Collaboration Skills: Works effectively in teams, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a collaborative spirit.
• Results-Oriented Mindset: Focuses on achieving outcomes and understands the impact of their work on organizational goals.
• Willingness to Learn: Eager to develop new skills and actively seeks feedback for improvement.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for actions and results, demonstrating reliability and integrity.
• Positive Communication: Communicates frequently, clearly, and constructively with colleagues and supervisors.

Responsibilities:

Laboratory Maintenance:

• Maintain, clean, and organize laboratory work area, consumables, and equipment.
• Prepare and test buffers, culture media, and reagents.
• Coordinate courier scheduling, tracking, & receiving.
• Ordering, tracking, & storage of reagents.

Discovery Sciences Experimental Support:

• Support individual team members with the performance of client-based experiments which includes the thawing of cryopreserved cell lines or PBMCs in preparation for CDC, ADCC, ADCP, TDCC, CRA, or Immunogenicity assays.
• Perform cell culture, using aseptic techniques, to support client-based or internal R&D experiments.
• Support individual team members with the performance of tissue culture and isolation of human and animal cells using various techniques, such as density gradient centrifugation.
  
  • Count cells using manual and automated methods, ensuring accuracy and precision in cell counting procedures.
• Assist with cell line or primary cell cryopreservation & data entry (LIMS).
• Assist with immunophenotyping experiments, including labeling cells with cell trace dyes or performing flow cytometry based staining protocols.
• Contribute to the new development of laboratory procedures, techniques, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• After initial training period, perform study planning and reagent ordering.
• After initial training period and under general supervision, perform data analysis using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism (or similar) and assemble summary slide decks according to iQ standards.

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"

Activity: 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 degree in Biological Sciences or related field.
• General Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• The ideal candidate will be patient (yet respond 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, 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.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing project requirements and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Keeps detailed records of lab work.

Preferred:

• Technical Computer Software literacy including GraphPad Prism, and Flow Cytometry-based applications (e.g. FlowJo).
• Preferred 1-2 years of laboratory experience in academic research setting in the areas of Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry or a related field.

General:

• Must be able to work on-site from our lab location in Alameda, primarily from 9:00 am-5:30 pm Mondays through Fridays.
• Schedule may vary slightly from week to week depending on business need.
• Full time, non-exempt (hourly) position subject to FLSA and California overtime regulations.
• May require occasional night and/or weekend work. Some overtime may be required.
• Starting hourly range (based on experience) $25-$27.88. Full position range $25-$33.17 per hour.
• Medical, dental, vision, 401K with employer match (after 90 days introductory period), FSA with employer contribution, long term disability insurance, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, PTO, and free lunch/snacks.

Position Duration:

This is a full-time, temporary position with a maximum duration of two years. In addition, continued employment in any role at iQ up to, or beyond, two years is not guaranteed and will depend on organizational needs and individual performance.

Note:

This job description outlines the primary duties and requirements of the Research Associate I; Discovery Sciences position. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the organization.

Department Discovery Sciences Role Research Associate I: Discovery Sciences 301 Locations Alameda Hourly salary $25 - $27.88