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Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist

Seattle, Washington, United States

About Xaira Therapeutics

Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development.

About the Role

We are seeking a Research Associate/Senior Research Associate to work with the Binder Discovery team to help discover new therapeutic molecules. You have prior experience with either molecular biology, protein purification, or display technology. You are an enthusiastic research associate who takes pride in your thoroughness and problem solving. You are excited to contribute to the development and documentation of new protocols. You can present results and summarize progress to help internal decision-making. Collaboration comes naturally to you, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment where pushing the boundaries of what is possible is the norm.

Key Responsibilities

  • Perform and optimize experiments in display technologies (e.g., yeast/phage display).
  • Support the discovery and development of therapeutic molecules through hands-on laboratory work.
  • Develop, document, and refine protocols to improve reproducibility and efficiency in experimental workflows.
  • Conduct and analyze high-throughput assays to evaluate the functionality and binding properties of potential therapeutic candidates

Qualifications

  • 2+ years of laboratory experience (preferred industry experience)
  • Experience with at least 1 of the following:
  • Molecular biology (primer design, Gibson, Golden Gate, Ligation, yeast and/or phage surface display)
  • Demonstrated ability to improve protocols to yield more reproducible/improved results
  • Bachelors in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Protein Chemistry, or similar field
  • Flow cytometry experience strongly preferred
  • Yeast and/or phage display and selection experience strongly preferred
  • Eukaryotic cell culture experience (Cell line maintenance, transient transfections)
  • Experience with high throughput assay development
  • Experience with liquid handling, robotics, and workflow
  • Experience using LIMS and Benchling system
  • Functional assays (luminescence, flow cytometry, activity, viability, etc)
  • Protein purification (AKTA, HPLC, SDS-PAGE, BLI/SPR)
  • Functional assays (luminescence, activity, viability, etc)

Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. The base pay range for this position is expected to be 85,000 - $115,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.

Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.

TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Xaira Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or employees. Xaira Therapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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