Research Associate II/ Senior Research Associate, Technology Development

Profluent is an AI-first protein design company. Founded in 2022, we develop deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. Based in Emeryville, CA, we are backed by leading investors including Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures.

We're currently seeking a talented individual to join our Technology Development team, operating at the intersection of biology, automation, and data to propel cutting-edge research. In this role, you will contribute to the design and scale-up of high-throughput workflows for protein, gene, and strain engineering.

You will apply problem-solving skills during early-stage conceptualization and troubleshooting, paired with a detail-oriented and data-driven mindset during late-stage optimization. Leveraging a foundation in molecular biology, cell biology, or high-throughput assays, you will drive impactful projects and contribute to the conception, design, analysis, and interpretation of experiments.

As part of the team, you will excel as both an individual contributor and a collaborative team member, actively supporting shared goals while learning from and contributing to new technical and conceptual areas. Your adaptability and curiosity will help advance Profluent’s mission to develop transformative gene-editing technologies.

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds who share our commitment to revolutionizing biology, driving meaningful innovation, and making a lasting impact on global healthcare. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI-driven protein design while collaborating with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of experts in machine learning, protein engineering, cell biology, and gene editing.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute low throughput and high throughput plasmid cloning campaigns for construction of protein libraries
• Develop, execute and automate cell-based and in vitro gene editing assays, using a variety of assay readouts, including flow cytometry, NGS and fluorescence
• Perform yeast transformation and culture for arrayed and pooled screening
• Perform mammalian cell culture and transfection for arrayed and pooled screening
• Precisely track and document experimental samples, assay data, and results
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results
• Present experimental results to colleagues in team and cross-team meeting

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related field 
• 2-6 years of biotechnology industry research experience or equivalent academic experience
• Extensive, hands-on experience with mammalian, yeast, and bacterial cell culture and molecular biology
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across interdisciplinary teams
• Strong organizational skills to accurately track laboratory samples and experimental data

Preferences (but not required)

• Experience with CRISPR and/or mammalian cell-based gene editing assays
• Experience with high throughput screening workflows
• Experience with process development for automation workflows
• Experience processing and analyzing large experimental datasets (i.e. Python or JMP)

What we offer at Profluent

• A high-growth opportunity with meaningful impact
• Competitive compensation package
• Health insurance (health/dental/vision)
• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy
• Commitment to physical and mental well-being
• More benefits and perks to be added!

Profluent Bio, Inc is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.