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Salary: USD 70,000 - 90,000 / annual
Azalea Therapeutics is pioneering precision genome engineering directly inside the body, with an initial focus on creating cancer immunotherapies in vivo. The company uses Enveloped Delivery Vehicles (EDVs)—highly selective couriers designed to locate T cells within patients and deliver genome-editing cargo—to engineer T cells where they already live, avoiding complex ex vivo manufacturing.
The Research Associate I/II role is a hands-on laboratory position supporting the advancement of AZA-2509 and Azalea's next-generation delivery platform. You will execute cell and molecular biology experiments, generate high-quality data, and maintain rigorous laboratory records while working closely with scientists and colleagues across research, process development, analytical development, and preclinical functions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Execute established molecular biology studies supporting EDV delivery, genome editing, T-cell engineering, candidate evaluation, and assay development.
- Perform routine sample testing for EDV and AAV programs on a defined schedule, executing assays according to established SOPs, test methods, and worksheets.
- Conduct analytical methods including nucleic-acid extraction, digital PCR or quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, immunoassays, and protein-based methods (capsid and envelope protein ELISA, host cell protein and residual protein assays).
- Collect, analyze, and summarize experimental data using appropriate software; identify trends, limitations, and experimental deviations.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and timely records in electronic laboratory notebooks and controlled systems, following Good Documentation Practices and data-integrity expectations.
- Prepare experimental summaries and communicate results at team meetings; contribute data and figures to technical reports and presentations.
- Troubleshoot routine technical issues, escalate significant deviations, and partner with colleagues to improve assay robustness and reproducibility.
- Support method qualification, verification, and transfer activities by generating precision, accuracy, linearity, and robustness data; assist with drafting and revising SOPs, test methods, and qualification protocols.
- Support laboratory operations through reagent preparation, inventory management, equipment upkeep, sample tracking, and adherence to safety requirements.
- Collaborate across functions and manage assigned work to agreed timelines while responding constructively to changing program priorities.
- Contribute to a culture of scientific rigor by documenting decisions, sharing data transparently, seeking input early, and treating colleagues with respect.
The position will be filled at Research Associate I or Research Associate II level based on candidate experience, technical depth, and demonstrated independence. Success in the first 3–6 months includes building proficiency in Azalea's core molecular biology and protein-based methods, generating and communicating high-quality experimental data while maintaining complete laboratory records, and independently managing assigned laboratory work to agreed timelines.
Working Conditions: This is a primarily onsite, laboratory-based position requiring regular use of standard laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment; work with biological samples and research reagents; prolonged periods of standing or sitting; repetitive hand motions; and the ability to move laboratory supplies weighing up to approximately 25 pounds. Occasional work outside standard business hours may be required to support time-sensitive experiments. Travel is minimal.
Requirements:
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, biochemistry, immunology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Research Associate I: 0–2 years of relevant laboratory experience.
- Research Associate II: 2–4 years of relevant laboratory experience, including evidence of increased technical independence.
- Hands-on experience in quantitative bench assays including digital PCR/quantitative PCR, ELISA, multicolor flow cytometry, and/or chromatography, with a working understanding of standards, controls, and replicates.
- Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, translational research, or another quality-conscious laboratory environment.
- Ability to follow protocols, perform careful calculations, organize concurrent experiments, and produce accurate and reproducible work.
- Ability to analyze data, communicate findings clearly, and work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary setting.
- Commitment to laboratory safety, research integrity, accurate documentation, and responsible handling of biological materials.
Preferred:
- Experience working with primary human T cells, immune-cell phenotyping, viral or nonviral delivery systems, or genome-editing workflows.
- Experience developing or executing assays for viral vectors (lentiviral, VSV-G or other enveloped particles, or AAV) including titer, purity, and potency testing.
- Experience with next-generation sequencing sample preparation, HPLC/UPLC (SEC, AEX, or RP), SDS-PAGE/Western blot, or dynamic light scattering.
- Familiarity with assay qualification concepts, design of experiments, dose-response analysis, curve fitting, acceptance criteria, and statistical assessment of assay variability.
- Experience with high-throughput or automated assay platforms.
- Familiarity with electronic laboratory notebooks and common scientific data-analysis tools (Excel, GraphPad Prism, JMP, or Python/R) and assay/equipment-specific software (SoftMax Pro, FlowJo, digital PCR analysis software).
