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Research Associate Assay Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

RareCyte

Scientist, Assay Development

Seattle, WA · On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

RareCyte is looking for an Assay Development Scientist based in our Seattle, WA office. The ... Establish experimental and QC protocols to transfer methods and reagents to Research Associates and ...

Natera

Senior Research Associate

San Carlos, CA

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Research Associate with a strong focus on process ... Collaborate with other assay development scientists on the specifications of assay, reagent ...

Onyx Bio

Senior Research Associate

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Senior Research Associate Onyx Bio -- Berkeley, CA (On-site) Company Overview Onyx is building a ... You will work alongside two senior teammates--one leading R&D and assay development, the other ...

AccuScan Sciences

Research Associate

Milpitas, CA · On-site

AccuScan Sciences is seeking a dedicated Research Associate to join our innovative team ... In this role, you will support various research projects focusing on assay development and clinical ...

AccuScan Sciences

Research Associate

Milpitas, CA · On-site

AccuScan Sciences is seeking a dedicated Research Associate to join our innovative team ... In this role, you will support various research projects focusing on assay development and clinical ...

AccuScan Sciences

Research Associate

Milpitas, CA · On-site

AccuScan Sciences is seeking a dedicated Research Associate to join our innovative team ... In this role, you will support various research projects focusing on assay development and clinical ...

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How much do research associate assay development jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for research associate assay development in the United States is $32.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a research associate in assay development do?

A Research Associate in Assay Development is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing laboratory assays to detect or measure biological substances. They typically work in biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, supporting research and development projects by ensuring assays are robust, reliable, and reproducible. Their duties may include preparing samples, analyzing data, troubleshooting protocols, and collaborating with other scientists to improve experimental workflows. This role requires strong analytical skills and a background in biology, chemistry, or a related field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research associate in assay development?

To thrive as a Research Associate in Assay Development, you need a solid background in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field, often with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with laboratory techniques such as ELISA, PCR, and use of analytical instruments, along with experience using data analysis software, is typically required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and strong organizational and communication skills help you excel in experimental design and collaborative scientific environments. These skills ensure reliable assay results, efficient workflow, and meaningful contributions to research and product development.

What are some typical challenges faced by a research associate in assay development, and how can they be addressed?

Research Associates in Assay Development often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting experimental variability, optimizing assay conditions, and managing tight project timelines. These issues can be addressed by maintaining meticulous documentation, collaborating closely with senior scientists and cross-functional teams, and staying current with the latest assay technologies and protocols. Seeking feedback from peers and participating in regular team meetings also helps in overcoming technical hurdles and ensuring that project goals are met efficiently.

Do I need a PhD to be a research associate assay development?

A research associate in assay development typically does not require a PhD; a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry is often sufficient. Relevant skills include laboratory techniques, data analysis, and familiarity with assay platforms. Advanced roles or research-focused positions may prefer or require a PhD.

What cities are hiring for Research Associate Assay Development jobs?

Cities with the most Research Associate Assay Development job openings:

What states have the most Research Associate Assay Development jobs?

States with the most job openings for Research Associate Assay Development jobs include:

Research Associate Assay Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Associate Assay Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,685 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Research Associate / Senior Research Associate, Nucleic Acids

Violet Research Institute

Berkeley, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Violet Research Institute
Violet Research Institute (VRI) is building the future of personalized medicine for patients with genetic diseases. We're at the frontier of a new era in medicine - one where treatments can be designed for individual patients based on their unique biology. Recent breakthroughs in science, engineering, and regulatory pathways have made this possible, but much of this work remains nascent and distributed across disparate efforts globally. We're unifying, refining, and scaling these efforts into a cohesive platform. For each patient we serve, we deeply understand their biology, then design and manufacture a targeted treatment that can be delivered in months instead of years.
We combine the urgency and execution mindset of a startup with the mission-driven openness of a nonprofit, allowing us to collaborate broadly and move quickly on behalf of the patients we serve. We've brought together leading researchers, engineers, and organizations across omics, therapeutic design, manufacturing, clinical care, and AI to move from insight to action as quickly as possible.
VRI is founded by the family of our first patient, Violet, and is led by Michael Buckley, Siranush Babakhanova and Steve Turner. Our team is deeply cross-disciplinary and first-principles driven. We value builders, experts, and generalists who are excited to work across domains, challenge conventional approaches, and increase access to personalized medicine.
What We're Looking For
We are hiring a hands-on Research Associate to Senior Research Associate to support molecular biology and assay development for an active therapeutic program. The primary work centers on nucleic acid purification and quantitative PCR (qPCR and digital droplet PCR) used to measure the knockdown efficiency of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) against a disease-relevant target. The role also supports cell culture and stem cell differentiation work as needed.
This is an excellent set of hands with a strong track record for clean, reproducible bench work. It is a demanding, fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and frequent new asks, and it offers meaningful contribution to patient-directed science and broad exposure to a growing organization.
What You'll Own
  • Extract and purify nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) from cell and tissue samples using standard kits (e.g., Qiagen) and established purification workflows.
  • Process human specimens (blood or blood products, CSF, etc) and work safely in a BSC-2 environment.
  • Design, run, and analyze qPCR assays on the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 using TaqMan probes and master mix.
  • Perform digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) on the Bio-Rad QX600 with the automated droplet generator.
  • Quantify ASO knockdown efficiency against target transcripts and report results with clear, well-documented data.
  • Maintain rigorous experimental records, assay QC, and data organization to support a rapidly iterating program.
  • Contribute to assay scale-up, optimization, and process refinement as capabilities expand.
  • Assist with laboratory upkeep such as inventory and supplies stocking.
  • Support imaging and microscopy-based readouts on a secondary basis.
  • Adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced, on-site setting.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, or a related life science field.
  • 2 to 4 years of hands-on laboratory experience in molecular biology and assay development.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in nucleic acid purification (RNA and/or DNA) and/or cell harvesting.
  • Strong documentation, data analysis, and quality practices, with a proven contamination-control track record.
  • Hands-on library preparation and NGS experience.
  • Ability to work full-time on-site and thrive in a flexible, high-pace environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with TaqMan-based qPCR on QuantStudio platforms and Bio-Rad ddPCR (QX600 or comparable).
  • Experience with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or other nucleic acid therapeutics.
  • Prior industry experience at organizations such as BioMarin, Scribe, Ultragenyx, or similar, or a competitive industry internship (e.g., Genentech).
  • Experience with human specimens (i.e. blood or blood products, urine, CSF) and working in a BSC-2 environment.
  • Experience with freezer management systems or LIMS.
  • Experience with GraphPad Prism or other data analysis and visualization software.

Behavioral Essentials
  • Execute independently from loosely specified tasks
  • Ask for help only when truly blocked, communicating clearly what's needed
  • Thrive in early-stage, ambiguous, high-pace environments
  • Mission-driven with genuine care for patient impact

Apply