Location: San Francisco, CA
Position Type: 2-Month Initial Contract (High potential for extension to 6+ months or conversion to Direct-Hire)
Pay Rate: $40.00 - $55.00 / hour (based on experience) + Overtime
Schedule Options:
Shift A: Weekdays | 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Mon-Fri base hours, flexibility required)
Shift B: Weekends | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Medix is seeking a highly hands-on Research Associate to support cutting-edge protein science and cell biology workflows on an autonomous lab platform.
This role is ideal for an experienced scientist who genuinely loves being at the bench-someone who is dedicated to honing their craft in a fast-paced industry lab and takes pride in rigorous, reproducible science.
You will work closely with scientists and roboticists to execute, validate, and optimize protein characterization workflows and cell-based assays. You thrive when given a specific task to own end-to-end, bringing the intuition and industry experience necessary to operate independently in an evolving environment.
Protein Expression: Execute experiments across multiple host systems (e.g., mammalian, E. coli, cell-free) at various scales, ranging from small-scale screens to larger production runs.
Biophysical Characterization: Run protein characterization assays, including SPR, BLI, DSF/DSC, and various developability assays.
Cell-Based Assays: Perform binding and functional assays to evaluate candidates against cell-surface targets and assess functional activity.
Cell Culture Facility Operations: Own day-to-day operation and organization of the cell culture facility, including routine passaging using sterile technique, inventory management, and equipment maintenance.
Documentation & Process: Maintain accurate, detailed experimental records in Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) and contribute to SOP development.
Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth handoffs and timely execution across the protein screening and characterization workflow.
Education: B.S./B.A. or M.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.
Industry Experience:
Bench Expertise:
Demonstrated expertise in protein expression using mammalian cell lines (e.g., Expi293, ExpiCHO) and/or microbial systems.
Strong hands-on experience with high-throughput protein quality control (QC) and biophysical characterization.
Proven track record maintaining mammalian cell lines and performing cell-based assays (including flow cytometry) in an industry setting.
Mindset & Mechanics: Strong documentation habits, acute attention to detail, and a scrappy, "get-it-done" attitude with the ability to figure things out independently.
Experience or familiarity with developability assessment assays (HIC, AC-SINS, PSR, or similar).
Familiarity with analytical characterization techniques (HPLC-SEC, HPLC-HIC, or FACS-based binding assays).
Familiarity with imaging-based cell assays (high-content imaging, fluorescence microscopy).
Experience with cell-free protein expression or specialized enzyme workflows.
Comfort working alongside lab automation or robotics platforms.
Schedule: We are hiring across two primary shifts (Shift A: Weekdays 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM | Shift B: Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Schedule Flexibility: As new workflows and customer projects are actively onboarded, candidate flexibility is essential. Standard shifts are 8 hours, but typical workdays can range from 6 to 10 hours depending on daily laboratory operations.
Overtime Opportunity: Candidates must be comfortable and open to working ample overtime (1-4 extra hours per day as needed).
For California Applicants:
We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (ULAC), The San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (FCO) , and the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA).
This position is subject to a background check based on its job duties, which may include patient care, working with vulnerable populations, access to financial and confidential information, driving, working with heavy machinery, or working in a warehouse or laboratory environment. Due to these job duties, this position has a significant impact on the business operations and reputation, as well as the safety and well-being of individuals who may be cared for as part of the job position or who may interact with staff or clients.
