What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant/Associate position at Seek Labs?
About Seek Labs
Seek Labs develops AI-enabled programmable molecular diagnostics and CRISPR-based therapeutics to improve global health. Our Diagnostics team creates instrument-free technologies for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection at the point of need. Our recent publication in Nature Communications describes our novel Annexing Isothermal Nucleotide Amplification (ANINA), a probe-guided ambient temperature amplification and direct detection approach developed at Seek Labs. To learn more about our research, read our published paper here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75361-6
Global Health is Our Barometer of Progress. We are determined to make a meaningful difference to patients and their communities everywhere. We are committed to enabling our new team member to learn and grow to professional success while also supporting their career development. We value collaboration, community, diversity, impactful science, and intellectual curiosity.
The Role
We are seeking a highly motivated, curious and diligent Research Assistant/Associate to join our Dx R&D team and work on ANINA assay development. With guidance from a Research Associate II, you will design and run experiments, screen primers and probes, optimize reactions, and evaluate assay performance. This hands-on role offers training, mentorship, and increasing independence as your skills develop.
What You’ll Do
- Plan, run, and analyze ANINA amplification and detection experiments using appropriate controls and replicates.
- Conduct experiments for oligonucleotide screening, assay optimization, and characterizing assay performance as part of existing project plans; provide support for studies that integrate sample processing, amplification, and lateral flow detection.
- Design and evaluate primers and probes using BioSeekerTM PrimerFinder, Seek Labs’ sequence-analysis and ANINA oligonucleotide design engine for iterative optimization.
- Handle and prepare reagents and materials for experiments and maintain laboratory equipment and work areas according to assigned training, approved protocols, and applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements.
- Maintain timely and accurate electronic laboratory records, prepare technical reports and present findings in team meetings for review and consideration.
- Actively ask questions to understand the rationale behind protocols, seek feedback, and apply new knowledge to experimental planning and troubleshooting.
- Analyze experiment results, apply appropriate basic statistical methods, and summarize findings and recommend next experiments with increasing independence; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams as research priorities evolve.
What You’ll Bring
- A bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related field.
- Relevant hands-on laboratory experience, including academic research. Research Associate candidates should have at least two years of relevant laboratory experience demonstrating the ability to plan, execute, and troubleshoot experiments with appropriate controls, and interpreting and communicating results with increasing independence.
- Experience with qPCR or another nucleic acid amplification assay, nucleic acid extraction, and gel electrophoresis.
- Basic knowledge of primer and probe design and familiarity with sequence-analysis tools such as BLAST, Benchling, or SnapGene. Research Associate candidates should have hands-on experience with primer and probe design for molecular diagnostic assays and foundational understanding of analytical separation methods.
- Strong attention to detail, clear communication, and basic data-analysis skills.
- Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and understand the reasoning behind methods and results.
Preferred Experience
Experience developing and optimizing molecular assays, handling and processing biological specimens, or analyzing data in Excel or GraphPad Prism is a plus. A relevant master’s degree with hands-on research experience is also welcome.
Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Commuter assistance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $45,000 - $55,000