Social Science Research Associate Jobs in California

Title: Research Associate II/ Senior Research Associate, Therapeutics
Location: South San Francisco, CA
Department: Therapeutics
Reports To: Principal Scientist, Therapeutics

Opportunity:

Join our Therapeutics team as a Research Associate II or Senior Research Associate and help translate CRISPR-based epigenetic therapies into clinical candidates. You'll design and execute experiments, drive data-driven problem-solving, and take increasing ownership of projects targeting ocular and rare genetic diseases. This is an excellent opportunity to grow as a hands-on scientist in a dynamic biotech environment.

Position Summary

You'll be at the bench designing and executing the experiments that unlock the therapeutic potential of CRISPR-based gene regulation. In this role, you'll characterize novel therapeutics across multiple dimensions, activity, potency, mechanism of action, and translational viability using disease-relevant cellular models to answer the questions that move promising candidates forward.

We're looking for a research associate with hands-on mastery of molecular and cellular biology, gene editing technologies, and the ability to design experiments in a dynamic environment. If you've worked in ocular disease, gene therapy, or epigenetic regulation, you already speak our language.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret in vitro experiments that support therapeutic candidate discovery and advancement.
• Develop and optimize cellular assays to evaluate CRISPR-based epigenetic editing systems.
• Generate high-quality datasets and apply rigorous analysis to support data-driven program decisions.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams to advance therapeutic programs.
• Prepare tissue blocks in OCT, perform cryosectioning, immunofluorescence and fluorescent imaging.
• Culture, engineer, and characterize mammalian cell lines, primary cells, and iPSC-derived disease models.
• Perform molecular and cellular analyses including qPCR, RT-qPCR, digital PCR, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, and next-generation sequencing-based assays.
• Evaluate AAV delivery and activity of gene therapy modalities.
• Maintain detailed and up-to-date experimental records and contribute to study reports and presentations.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and scientific advances in CRISPR, epigenetics, gene therapy, and ocular disease research.

Requirements

Research Associate II

• B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
• 3-5+ years of relevant industry experience.

Senior Research Associate

• B.S. or M.S. with 5-8+ years of industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute complex studies and contribute to experimental strategy.

Core Technical Skills

• Strong molecular biology skills including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, qPCR, dPCR, cloning, and gene expression analysis.
• Mammalian cell culture and cellular assay development experience.
• Experience in working with human or mouse tissues, preparing frozen tissue blocks and cryosectioning.
• Experience with viral vector systems (AAV/lentivirus).
• Proficiency in flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, and protein expression analyses.
• Strong data analysis, experimental design, and troubleshooting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in epigenetics, chromatin biology, transcriptional regulation, or gene expression control.
• Experience working with ocular diseases.
• Prior experience supporting preclinical therapeutic development programs in biotechnology or pharmaceutical settings.

 The salary range for this position is $95,000 to $115,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including, without limitation, individual education, experience, tenure, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data, including potential adjustments for geographic location.