About Arc Institute

The Arc Institute is a new scientific institution that conducts curiosity-driven basic science and technology development to understand and treat complex human diseases. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Arc is an independent research organization founded on the belief that many important research programs will be enabled by new institutional models. Arc operates in partnership with Stanford University, UCSF, and UC Berkeley.

While the prevailing university research model has yielded many tremendous successes, we believe in the importance of institutional experimentation as a way to make progress. These include:

• Funding: Arc will fully fund Core Investigator’s (PI’s) research groups, liberating scientists from the typical constraints of project-based external grants.
• Technology: Biomedical research has become increasingly dependent on complex tooling. Arc Technology Centers develop, optimize and deploy rapidly advancing experimental and computational technologies in collaboration with Core Investigators. 
• Support: Arc aims to provide first-class support—operationally, financially and scientifically—that will enable scientists to pursue long-term high risk, high reward research that can meaningfully advance progress in disease cures, including neurodegeneration, cancer, and immune dysfunction.
• Culture: We believe that culture matters enormously in science and that excellence is difficult to sustain. We aim to create a culture that is focused on scientific curiosity, a deep commitment to truth, broad ambition, and selfless collaboration.

Arc scaled to nearly 100 people in its first year. With $650M in committed funding and a state of the art new lab facility in Palo Alto, Arc will continue to grow quickly to several hundred in the coming years.

About the position

We are looking for a Research Associate II to join our Stem Cell Platform within the Cellular Models Technology Center to support development and characterization of human 3D neural models for disease modeling and high-throughput screening purposes. You will collaborate closely with other RAs and Scientists in this Technology Center as well as with scientists in Core Laboratories and other Technology Centers to help convert cutting-edge method advances into reproducible and robust platform technologies for the Institute.

The ideal candidate will have experience and proficient skills in mammalian and/or pluripotent stem cell (PSC) culture, as well as expertise implementing and troubleshooting stem cell differentiation protocols and cell-based assays with outstanding attention to detail.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and curious researcher interested in the intersection of basic research and biotech product development. Title and compensation will be competitive with industry jobs relative to experience level and background.

About you

• You love science and learning. Whether it’s gaining knowledge in new fields of scientific research or learning a new lab technique, you never stop being curious and routinely enjoy stepping out of your comfort zone to learn new things. 
• You can work fast and are detail-oriented. You are careful and diligent about good documentation practices and keeping things organized while moving at a rapid pace. 
• You love to collaborate and help others. Science is a team effort, and you pride yourself in taking the initiative to help. 
• You are a problem solver. It's common in science to come across issues you need to troubleshoot. You pride yourself in your ability to troubleshoot complex problems in the lab.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform daily activities related to different aspects of our internal cell culture workflows, including media preparation, culture initiation, maintenance, and cell cryopreservation.
• Participate in the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into various cell types including hematopoietic progenitor cells and microglia.
• Prepare and maintain 2D and 3D neural co-cultures for cell-based assay development and downstream analysis.
• Execute fixation, staining, and clearing protocols on 2D and 3D cultures to facilitate their accurate imaging. 
• Assist in calcium imaging experiments, preparing the samples, setting up the necessary equipment, and contributing to data collection and preliminary analysis.
• Take part in optimization experiments connected to cell characterization and development of additional cell-based assays.
• Execute tasks and experiments with a focus on efficiency and reproducibility, following already established SOPs and ensuring accurate and reliable record keeping and documentation.
• Contribute to lab organization and maintenance, including rotating in regular cleaning schedules and inventory management of supplies and reagents.

Job Requirements

• BS/MS or equivalent professional experience in biology, biotechnology, cellular biology, neuroscience, or relevant fields.
• With a BS degree, 2 years of relevant experience or with a MS degree, 0-2 years of relevant postgraduate experience. Industry experience is desirable but not required.
• Relevant lab experience including demonstrated and proficient skills in mammalian cell culture procedures and associated aseptic techniques (additional experience required?)
• Experience with immunohistochemistry and imaging techniques
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to multitask, willingness to learn, and work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to work some weekends as needed (days off can be swapped for weekdays)

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in ESC or iPSC (PSCs) cell culture
• Experience with in vitro 3D models 
• Experience with immunohistochemistry and imaging techniques

The base salary for this position is $73,700. This amount does not include benefits or other forms of compensation.