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Research Assistant, Biochemistry

South San Francisco, California, United States

About Us 

Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world.

It is Kardigan’s mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve.
 
Led by Tassos Giannakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D. and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan’s co-founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020.
 
We have a cutting-edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late-stage candidates, and an industry-leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients.
 
At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families, we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic—leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn, we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.
 
These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.
 
 

Position Title: Research Assistant, Biochemistry

Department: Translational Research

Reports To: Scientist, Sarcomere Biology, Research and Translational Sciences

Job Overview

Kardigan is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate in Biochemistry to join our dynamic research team. This role is central to enabling early-stage discovery efforts by supporting mechanistic studies and SAR studies. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of new treatments in a fast-paced, cutting-edge environment. You will work in a collaborative team setting where your work will help to shape the future of cardiovascular therapies. If you are passionate about advancing innovative science and enjoy a challenging, rewarding work environment, this is an exciting opportunity to make an impact.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Purify native sarcomere proteins from fresh tissue.

     

  • Perform protein purification using affinity, ion exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography.

     

  • Perform additional analyses (e.g., SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, qPCR, and activity assays) to support discovery efforts, including high-throughput screening (HTS), structure-activity relationship (SAR), and mechanism-of-action (MoA) studies.

     

  • Maintain accurate and detailed records in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).

     

  • Collaborate closely with scientists across research and discovery teams to support program milestones.

 

Qualifications and Preferred Skills

  • BS or MS in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field required.

     

  • 2+ years of hands-on laboratory experience; experience in preclinical research within the biopharmaceutical or biotechnology industry is a plus.

     

  • Strong knowledge of biochemical techniques, including enzyme assays and protein purification (with experience in large-scale purification); familiarity with plate readers is a plus.

     

  • Comfortable with the physical aspects of lab work, including lifting and standing for extended periods during purification and assay preparation.

     

  • Proficient in data analysis and interpretation using software such as GraphPad Prism, Excel, and others.

     

  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

     

  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

     

  • A collaborative attitude with a willingness to learn and contribute to diverse aspects of the drug development process.

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