Research Associate

Employment: Full-time Experience level: Associate Job Description ExcepGen is seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate to join its San Francisco team, working collaboratively with senior scientists to advance the company’s drug discovery research programs. This is a unique opportunity to join an early-stage biotechnology startup and take on a wide range of responsibilities. The successful candidate should have the ability and willingness to work across a variety of functional areas. This position reports to the Chief Scientific Officer. Key Responsibilities: Maintain mammalian, insect, and plant cell cultures Transfect cell lines for generation of stable cell lines or expression of recombinant proteins Purify recombinant proteins using standard purification technologies Perform in vitro functional assays as well as biophysical and/or cell-based binding assays Execute a range of experiments using molecular biology techniques such as plasmid design, nucleic acid and protein isolation, PCR and cloning Document all experimental procedures and results in an electronic laboratory notebook Use basic technical discretion to troubleshoot experiments with senior scientists Review data, prepare reports, and communicate experimental results to manager and in team meetings Maintain lab operations such as ordering, organizing, and restocking reagents, equipment, and other supplies Qualifications Education & Experience: B.S. or M.S. in Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or equivalent scientific discipline 1-3+ years of full-time laboratory experience in an industrial or academic setting Skills & Competencies: Experienced in mammalian culture techniques including transfection and cell based functional assays Experienced in standard protein purification technologies including Affinity- and Size-Exclusion chromatography using an AEKTA-FPLC system, SDS-PAGE and Western blot Ability to interpret and clearly understand SOPs and laboratory procedures Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Detail-oriented with meticulous record-keeping Ability to coordinate and prioritize tasks across multiple projects to meet deadlines Working knowledge of data analysis software like Excel, Graphpad, or others Ability to adapt in a fast-paced startup environment and execute projects independently Willingness to work occasional weekends when needed for experiments Alignment with ExcepGen’s culture and values Compliance with all laboratory health and safety procedures Nice to Have: Experience with general molecular biology techniques and approaches, including molecular cloning methods, PCR/qPCR, and primer design.  Experience writing protocols and maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks Experience in expressing and purifying membrane proteins and protein complexes Knowledge in maintaining and culturing insect-, plant- and yeast cells Ability to research new scientific areas and design protocols Other information about ExcepGen: ExcepGen launched out of Y Combinator in March 2019 with innovative technology for drug development. The company is based in downtown San Francisco. Our values: Make something exceptional Be in it together Think critically, work creatively Embrace continuous improvement Focus on output, not hours Do the right thing, always Company Benefits: Opportunity to work in a small, collaborative team at an early-stage company Competitive salary and stock options Healthcare, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Additional Information All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Company Description ExcepGen is developing better therapeutics by using authentic human proteins in drug discovery. With its novel platform, the company is discovering antibodies against previously impossible targets and pursuing new therapeutic proteins.