Research Associate

Description-
100% ONSITE AT USSF (Standard work hours)
*Length of assignment: 1 year
*Production work in a lab supporting general research. Includes general lab practices such as maintaining stocks, running & maintaining automation, fulfilling orders, receiving & distributing materials, etc. Does not include much chemistry or bench work.


Seeking a Research Associate to support a newly established San Francisco lab focused on automated scientific workflows and platform operations. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline with either strong academic laboratory exposure or 1-3 years of industry laboratory experience. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fully onsite lab environment using PPE daily and demonstrate strong troubleshooting ability, attention to detail, and willingness to learn specialized automated systems. Industry experience is preferred but not mandatory; high-potential recent graduates with strong hands-on academic lab experience are welcome. Team highly values stability and consistency in prior employment due to the extensive onboarding and training investment required for this role.

Job Description:

• High energy individual who can multi-task and handle a fast-pace, dynamic work environment
• Demonstrate independence and ability to produce quality results under minimal direction
• Operate specialized laboratory equipment and instrumentation
• Create protocols/scripts within automation software
• Build, prioritize, and coordinate work plans and adhere to timelines
• Multi-task the execution of deadline-driven workflows in real-time
• Troubleshooting of various lab instrumentation and automation
• Perform Quality Control (QC) and calibration of equipment for both accuracy and precision
• Perform HTQC using LC-MS to verify mass and purity of newly submitted compounds
• Perform general laboratory housekeeping activities
• Complete training on assigned tasks
• Participate in quality improvement efforts
• Strive to achieve excellent client service
• Comply with safety guidelines and site-specific procedures which include but is not limited to, the maintenance of training records, laboratory documentation, written procedures, building monitoring systems and laboratory log books
• Interact with multiple functional areas in a highly matrixed-team environment


Basic Minimum Qualifications:
• B.S. degree in Analytical Chemistry, Physical, Life Sciences or related technical discipline
• 1-3 years of experience in lab environment


Preferred Qualifications:
• Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent automation troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Experience operating specific liquid handling automation: Hamilton VANTAGE, Agilent Bravo, Beckman Echo
• Experience writing protocols with laboratory automation software: Hamilton VENUS, Agilent VWorks, Echo Liquid Handler, Titian Mosaic
• Experience operating Waters LC-MS equipment to perform quality control of organic chemistry molecules