Senior Research Associate, CSO

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.  With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees. 

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive. 

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, CSO

SUMMARY:

Ionis Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly skilled Senior Research Associate to join the CSO group supporting research on genome integrity in repeat expansion disorders. The successful candidate will play a key role in generating and characterizing disease-relevant iPSC models, differentiating iPSCs into neurons and brain organoids, and contributing to the evaluation of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) as potential therapeutic strategies. This position offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment advancing programs central to Ionis’ mission. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Support the development, engineering, and characterization of iPSC-based disease models, including CRISPR-mediated knock-in/knock-out lines relevant to repeat expansion disorders. 
• Differentiate iPSCs into neuronal cell types and contribute to the establishment and analysis of brain organoid models. 
• Participate in the design and execution of studies involving ASO evaluation using iPSC-derived neurons and organoids. 
• Assist in the development, optimization, and characterization of in vitro models to investigate mechanisms of somatic repeat expansion and associated genome integrity pathways. 
• Prepare samples and materials for Next-Generation Sequencing and collaborates with project teams on data review and interpretation. 
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and compliant experimental documentation. 
• Present research findings in written and verbal formats to internal teams and stakeholders. 
• Support general laboratory operations and contribute to a collaborative, team-driven research culture. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, or a related field with at least 5 years of experience; advanced training or equivalent laboratory experience preferred. 
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR/qRT-PCR, digital PCR). 
• Proficiency in flow cytometry–based sorting and clonal cell line establishment. 
• Experience with Next-Generation Sequencing sample preparation. 
• Familiarity with immunofluorescence and live-cell imaging techniques. 
• Proven experience with iPSC culture, genome engineering, and differentiation into neurons or other neural lineages. 
• Experience generating or working with brain organoids and other 3D neural models strongly preferred. 
• Experience developing or supporting disease-relevant iPSC models, particularly for neurological or genetic disorders, is highly desirable. 
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous record-keeping, and attention to detail. 
• Ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Proficiency with standard laboratory software and analysis tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, GraphPad Prism, FlowJo).

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition # IONIS003879

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits

Full Benefits Link: https://www.ionis.com/careers/working-at-ionis/#:~:text=our employee spotlight-,Benefits,-Employees are rewarded

The pay scale for this position is $95,000 to $115,825

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.

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Salary : $95,000 - $115,825