What are the responsibilities and job description for the In Vivo Senior Research Associate position at General Control?
We are looking for a Research Associate with hands-on in vivo experience to own our mouse studies and serve as the operational backbone of the lab. You will execute dosing experiments, perform tissue collections, run molecular readouts, and ensure the lab environment never becomes a bottleneck to the science. You will report directly to the Founding Head of Research.
This role is for someone who takes as much satisfaction in a clean, well-stocked, compliant lab as in a clean tissue collection. If you are the person who notices the liquid nitrogen is getting low before anyone has to ask, and who can move from a tail vein injection to a qPCR plate to a vendor call in the same morning, we want to hear from you.
Note: only applications emailed to jobs@generalcontrol.inc will be considered.
What You'll Do
1) In Vivo Studies
Perform rodent dosing via multiple routes: intravenous (tail vein), intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravitreal injection, following established protocols and IACUC-approved procedures.
Execute terminal and longitudinal tissue collections including submandibluar retro-orbital and cardiac blood draws, liver punch biopsies, and ocular tissue harvest; ensure sample integrity through appropriate processing and storage.
Assist in study design and support preparation of IACUC protocols and amendments.
Maintain accurate animal records, dosing logs, and sample tracking from collection through downstream assay.
Coordinate with CROs for studies requiring specialized in vivo capabilities or larger cohorts; QC incoming samples and data with internal standards.
2) Molecular Readouts
Process tissue samples for transcript analysis: RNA extraction from blood, liver, and eye tissue; cDNA synthesis; qPCR for target gene expression and epigenetic editor activity readouts.
Perform protein-level readouts: Western blot, ELISA, and where applicable flow cytometry on dissociated tissue or blood fractions.
Support DNA methylation assays (bisulfite conversion, amplicon sequencing) on harvested tissues as needed.
Maintain rigorous sample tracking and ELN documentation from collection through data output.
Required
Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, animal science, or a related life science field.
3 years of laboratory experience in a biotech, pharmaceutical, or academic research setting.
Demonstrated hands-on proficiency in rodent handling and restraint, with experience performing IV tail vein, IP, and/or intravitreal injections.
Experience with terminal tissue collections including blood draws and solid tissue harvest (liver, eye, or equivalent).
Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques: RNA extraction, qPCR, Western blot, ELISA.
Strong organizational skills: sample tracking, chain-of-custody documentation, and ELN records that others can reproduce from.
Experience with EH&S responsibilities: chemical hygiene, hazardous waste, and OSHA compliance in a research laboratory setting.
Startup-ready mindset: self-directed, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities when the answer to "whose job is that?" is usually yours.
Bonus Points
Experience with intravitreal injection or ocular tissue processing.
Familiarity with bisulfite sequencing or other epigenomics sample prep workflows.
Experience coordinating with or managing CRO studies.
Background setting up or scaling a lab at an early-stage company.
AALAS certification (ALAT or LAT).
What We Offer
Competitive salary and early-stage equity.
Medical, dental, and 401(k).
Direct collaboration with the Founding Head of Translation on studies that directly drive lead selection decisions.
Visa sponsorship available where applicable.