Career opportunities. 

Senior Research Associate/Research Associate – Cell Culture

Position Description:

Based in San Diego, California, Novoron Bioscience is a startup biotechnology company pioneering lipoprotein-receptor drug development to repair damage and degeneration to the brain, spinal cord and beyond. We are dedicated to solving some of the most challenging neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and Alzheimer’s disease. We deviate from traditional models of drug development by focusing on performing science that gives our drugs the best chance to succeed in clinical trials.

We are seeking a passionate full-time Senior Research Associate/Research Associate - -Cell Culture motivated by our mission. This role will work directly under the Director of Research & Development supporting Novoron's development of assays that are critically important to our tauopathies program. This job entails developing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models of disease and differentiating these into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and mature neurons to serve as reporters on markers of Alzheimer's and other diseases. These cell lines will be obtained through either genetic engineering or lentiviral transduction. This role may require some work on weekend days to maintain cell/tissue culture (1 to 2 days per month).

Key Responsibilities:  

• Perform routine maintenance and expansion of cell cultures, including maintaining tissue culture lab area, maintaining shared stocks, and aliquoting duties.

• Ensure optimal growth conditions and sterility in alignment with previously generated SOPs and develop and record new SOPs.  

• Implement and maintain rigorous sterile technique protocols to prevent contamination.

• Conduct experiments involving iPSC and differentiated neuronal cell cultures (including but not limited to SH-SY5Y and NPCs) under minimal supervision.

• Utilize molecular biology techniques such as PCR, gDNA extraction, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.

• Carry out electroporation and lentivirus experiments with adherence to safety protocols.

• Record and analyze experimental data, maintain detailed lab notebooks and databases.

• Collaborate with the research team to design experiments and troubleshoot issues.

• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety regulations and SOPs.
  

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.

• 1-2 years of full-time hands-on experience in industry or academia maintaining cell cultures, with a strong emphasis on sterile technique.

• Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques and equipment.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem solving, and communication skills.

• A high level of emotional intelligence, ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

• Contribute to multiple projects simultaneously, plan experiments, prioritize tasks, pivot rapidly and problem-solve technical issues effectively.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the maintenance of iPSC and neuronal cell cultures.

• Experience differentiating iPSCs to neural lineages and analyzing/QC-ing NPCs & neurons. 

• Experience with antibody-based cell analysis tools including immunocytochemistry and FACS.

• Proficient in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, gDNA extraction, CRISPR/Cas9, and electroporation.

• Experience with image acquisition and processing, including fluorescence microscopy and high-content platforms

• Experience handling lentivirus.

• Familiarity with cell biology research and gene editing technologies.
  

Compensation: 

Novoron offers competitive base compensation with stock options in addition to a comprehensive benefits package consisting of medical, dental, vision, and supplemental disability insurance.

The project base compensation for this role is $75,000 - $85,000.

Work Location: 

On-site at 1155 Island Avenue, Suite 100, San Diego, CA. Parking is provided.