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Research Associate Cell Culture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Meissner

Research Associate II - Cell Culture

Camarillo, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join our cell culture research team as a Research Associate II, where you'll perform advanced laboratory testing, drive method development, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative, fast-paced ...

Pioneer Data

Cell Culture Technician

Chesterfield, MO · On-site

Cell Culture Technician Duration: 18 months contract, extendable up to 48 months Location ... You may participate in the company group medical insurance plan Research Associate I Summary: The ...

Meissner Filtration Products

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join our cell culture research team as a Research Associate II, where you'll perform advanced laboratory testing, drive method development, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative, fast-paced ...

AcuraStem

Research associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The incumbent candidate should have experience with mammalian cell culture. The research associate will follow detailed protocols in excruciating detail but also has the ability to propose ...

AcuraStem

Research associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The incumbent candidate should have experience with mammalian cell culture. The research associate will follow detailed protocols in excruciating detail but also has the ability to propose ...

RD Partners

Research Associate I

Foster City, CA · On-site

$39.85/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

... cell culture needs and provide necessary support for ongoing research activities. · Engage with ... What we are looking for in a Research Associate I: · B.S. degree in Molecular Biology, Cell ...

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Research Associate Cell Culture information

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How much do research associate cell culture jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for research associate cell culture 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 is the difference between Research Associate Cell Culture vs Research Technician Cell Culture?

AspectResearch Associate Cell CultureResearch Technician Cell Culture
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, relevant lab experienceAssociate's or Bachelor's degree, basic lab skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs in biotech/pharmaceutical companies, academic institutionsLaboratory settings, often supporting research projects
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in research and development roles, often with more independent responsibilitiesSupport roles in labs, assisting senior staff with experiments

The main difference between a Research Associate Cell Culture and a Research Technician Cell Culture lies in their experience level, responsibilities, and independence. Research Associates typically have more advanced education and handle more complex tasks, while Research Technicians focus on supporting experiments under supervision. Both roles are essential in biotech and research environments, but the Research Associate often takes on more independent research activities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research associate cell culture?

To thrive as a Research Associate in Cell Culture, you need a solid background in biology or a related field, hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, sterile technique, and data analysis software such as GraphPad Prism or Excel is typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective teamwork are soft skills that help you excel in this role. These competencies ensure reliable experimental results, maintain cell line integrity, and support successful collaboration in research environments.

What are some common challenges faced by research associates cell culture, and how can they be managed effectively?

Research Associates in cell culture often face challenges such as maintaining sterile conditions, preventing cross-contamination, and ensuring reproducibility of experimental results. Adhering to strict aseptic techniques, keeping meticulous records, and regularly calibrating equipment help mitigate these issues. Additionally, collaboration with team members and clear communication about shared responsibilities can greatly enhance workflow and data integrity, ensuring successful project outcomes.

What is a research associate cell culture?

Research Associates in Cell Culture are laboratory professionals who specialize in growing and maintaining cells under controlled conditions for scientific research. They are responsible for tasks such as preparing culture media, monitoring cell growth, performing assays, and ensuring sterile techniques to prevent contamination. Their work supports experiments in drug development, biotechnology, and academic research. They often analyze data, keep detailed records, and collaborate with scientists to achieve research objectives.
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Research Associate Cell Culture jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Associate Cell Culture job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, and 36% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $67,685 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Senior Research Associate, Cell Culture Operations

Lila Sciences

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Your Impact at LILA

The Senior Research Associate, Cell Culture Operations will be responsible for the day-to-day execution and maintenance of mammalian cell culture activities that support LILA's research programs. This is a highly hands-on role focused on reliability, consistency, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate brings strong bench fundamentals, meticulous documentation habits, and the ability to support the translation of manual workflows into automation-compatible processes as LILA's capabilities evolve.

What You'll Be Building

  • Perform routine and advanced mammalian cell culture (maintenance, expansion, passaging, cryopreservation, thawing) across adherent and suspension cultures spanning a wide variety of cell types (immortalized lines, primary cells, stem cell-derived cultures, patient-derived lines, co-cultures, etc.); monitor cell health, adapt culture conditions for sensitive/non-standard cell types, and troubleshoot issues as they arise
  • Manage cell banks (inventory, quality checks, characterization records such as STR profiling and mycoplasma status) and coordinate reagent/consumable procurement to ensure uninterrupted cell supply for research and platform teams
  • Perform flow cytometry / FACS acquisition and analysis for cell characterization and quality checks
  • Help bring cell culture onto our automated platform - translating manual protocols into automated/semi-automated workflows, executing and troubleshooting runs, and verifying performance against manual benchmarks
  • Operate liquid handlers and other automated/semi-automated lab systems hands-on for cell culture and downstream workflows
  • Author and improve SOPs to streamline operations, reduce variability, and improve consistency across cell types and workflows
  • Coordinate with research and platform teams on cell supply needs and timelines, support onboarding of new cell types, and analyze/present cell culture and cell health data (e.g., viability statistic gates, trend monitoring) to stakeholders
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized lab in accordance with biosafety guidelines (e.g., BSL-2), and mentor/train junior Research Associates on aseptic technique, cell-type-specific handling, and automated workflow execution
  •  

What You'll Need to Succeed

  • Bachelor's degree in Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or related life sciences field with 4+ years of relevant hands-on cell culture experience, or Master's degree with 2+ years of experience
  • Demonstrated experience culturing a broad range of mammalian cell types - including primary cells, stem cells, iPSC-derived cells, or other sensitive/complex cultures - with strong aseptic technique and a track record of maintaining healthy, contamination-free cultures across varied conditions
  • Comfort working across multiple concurrent projects with shifting priorities and cell types in a research (non-GMP) environment, independently troubleshooting culture issues and diagnosing subtle changes in cell health or behavior
  • Hands-on experience with flow cytometry / FACS acquisition and analysis, and with liquid handlers or other automated/semi-automated lab systems
  • Comfort with data analysis, presentation, and interpreting cell health statistics/gating, along with excellent documentation habits (ELN or similar record-keeping systems)
  • Excellent communicator and collaborator, able to work with scientists across research programs as well as partner with automation, software, data, and robotics teams to translate cell culture needs into platform requirements

Bonus Points For

  • Experience with primary cell isolation, expansion, or maintenance (e.g., PBMCs, hepatocytes, neurons, cell lines), including iPSC culture, differentiation protocols, or 3D culture systems
  • Familiarity with cell line authentication and quality control practices (STR profiling, mycoplasma testing)
  • Experience developing and validating new culture protocols from the literature or from scratch, in a shared/core lab or multi-project R&D support role
  • Experience translating manual cell culture protocols into automated or semi-automated workflows, along with reagent/consumable inventory management or procurement coordination
  • Comfort using AI-native tools for troubleshooting, data analysis, and workflow support

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