Psychology Lab Research Assistant Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Job Title: Lab Research Analyst IJob Description The Lab Research Analyst I is a hands-on laboratory scientist who supports the development of new vaccines and therapeutics by studying immune responses. This role focuses on receiving and processing samples from preclinical and clinical studies, performing complex immunology and molecular biology experiments, and generating high-quality data that informs vaccine research. The position requires meticulous bench work, consistent execution of detailed protocols, and close collaboration with scientists and laboratory leadership in a fast-paced, mission-driven research environment. Responsibilities

• Receive and process human, macaque, and mouse samples from vaccine studies and clinical trials, ensuring careful handling and accurate tracking of all specimens.
• Isolate, enrich, culture, and sequence B cells to evaluate antibody responses following immunization.
• Perform cell culture work, including establishing and maintaining primary cell cultures under defined conditions.
• Conduct molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, RNA extraction, RT-PCR, PCR, qPCR, and related workflows to support immunology and vaccine research.
• Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing (NGS), following established protocols to preserve sample quality and integrity.
• Execute single-cell B-cell isolation and antibody gene sequencing workflows involving thousands of individual cell samples with a high degree of precision.
• Run immunological assays, including ELISA, bead-based immunoassays, immunofluorescence staining, and microscopy-based analyses to characterize immune responses.
• Utilize flow cytometry for cell sorting and analysis and contribute to data interpretation using tools such as FlowJo and GraphPad Prism where applicable.
• Support recombinant antibody production, purification, and quality control activities to generate high-quality reagents for research studies.
• Maintain detailed, accurate experimental documentation and electronic records, ensuring all work complies with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory quality standards.
• Collaborate closely with scientists, laboratory leadership, and support staff to achieve project milestones and meet regulatory and FDA-related timelines.
• Assist with general laboratory operations, including equipment upkeep, routine maintenance, reagent preparation, inventory control, and supply tracking.
• Follow rigorous contamination-control practices and execute repetitive, highly detailed laboratory workflows consistently to maintain data integrity.
• Work effectively with advanced robotics and sequencing equipment by adhering to established workflows and contributing to continuous process improvements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Zoology, Botany, Psychology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of laboratory research experience; a Master's degree may substitute for this experience.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture and primary cell culture techniques.
• Proficiency in nucleic acid extraction, including RNA extraction.
• Practical experience performing RT-PCR, PCR, qPCR, and related molecular biology techniques.
• Experience running ELISA and/or bead-based immunoassays.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain detailed laboratory documentation and adhere to SOPs and quality standards.
• Strong foundation in immunology, vaccine, molecular biology, or antibody-focused laboratory environments.
• Proficiency in handling fragile biological samples and executing highly detailed, repetitive bench protocols with precision.
• High level of attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency in experimental execution and data recording.
• Comfort working with complex, multi-step workflows and maintaining sample integrity throughout the process.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with single-cell PCR and antibody sequencing workflows.
• Experience preparing samples for next-generation sequencing (NGS).
• Flow cytometry experience, including cell sorting and data analysis using FlowJo.
• Experience with antibody repertoire analysis or immune profiling research.
• Exposure to vaccine, immunology, infectious disease, or antibody discovery research programs.
• Mouse handling and in vivo research experience.
• Familiarity with GraphPad Prism for data analysis and visualization.
• Interest in working in a mission-driven environment focused on next-generation vaccines and therapeutics.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative research setting with high expectations for scientific rigor and data quality.
• Motivation to develop professionally through structured training, certifications, and exposure to sophisticated research systems.

Work Environment This position is fully onsite within a high-volume laboratory environment that supports large-scale, complex vaccine and immunology research programs. The lab operates advanced robotics, high-throughput sequencing platforms, and modern instrumentation for cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry, and immunoassays. Work involves extended periods at the bench performing detailed, repetitive workflows where precision and contamination control are critical. Team members collaborate closely with faculty, scientists, and research staff in a fast-paced, high-performing culture that values communication, shared problem-solving, and scientific excellence. The organization offers a world-class research setting with substantial research funding, multi-institutional collaborations, and opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development in research administration, federal compliance, and sponsored project management. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Raleigh, NC. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $25.23 - $31.73/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Raleigh,NC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 6, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.