Research Associate I–Senior Research Associate (Contract-to-Hire)
Location: Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, CA
Schedule: 5 days onsite | 40-hour work week
Employment Type: 6-month contract-to-hire
Experience Range: Research Associate I through Senior Research Associate
Position Overview
We are seeking Research Associates I through Senior Research Associates to join the R&D team in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, supporting the development of diagnostic assays in a hands-on laboratory environment.
This onsite role involves executing experiments, analyzing and documenting data, and supporting assay development within a regulated Quality Management System (QMS). Responsibilities scale with experience, ranging from guided experimental execution at the RA I level to independent study design, data interpretation, and technical leadership at the Senior RA level.
This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to grow within diagnostic development, particularly in lateral flow assay technologies, while contributing to impactful R&D programs.
Core Responsibilities (All Levels)
- Execute daily R&D experiments across one or more assay development projects
- Collect, analyze, and summarize experimental data for internal reporting and project teams
- Maintain accurate and timely laboratory documentation (lab notebooks and experimental records)
- Perform routine lab work including buffer preparation, aliquoting, glassware washing, and pipette calibration
- Operate laboratory equipment including:
- Nanodrop
- pH meters
- Spectrophotometers
- Centrifuges
- Strip readers
- Guillotine
- Isoflow dispenser systems
- Prepare membranes and conjugate pads for assay development and manufacturing support
- Support manufacturing protocols for diagnostic assay production as needed
- Follow all Quality Management System (QMS) requirements and Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
- Maintain a safe laboratory environment, including safe handling of human blood products and laboratory chemicals
- Assist with reagent inventory management, stocking, and ordering
- Support onboarding and training of new team members on lab equipment, SOPs, and documentation practices
- Assist in protocol updates and continuous improvement of laboratory processes
Senior Research Associate Responsibilities
- Independently execute experiments with minimal supervision between project milestones
- Analyze experimental data, draw conclusions, and propose follow-up studies
- Conduct literature reviews and leverage prior project data to guide experimental direction
- Contribute to experimental design discussions and propose well-defined experimental plans
- Communicate technical updates and findings to internal project teams
- Assist with preparation of external reports and scientific presentations
- Draft and refine experimental and manufacturing protocols
- Support onboarding and training of junior laboratory staff
- Assist in troubleshooting experimental challenges and process improvements
Qualifications
Research Associate I
- Bachelor's degree (BS) in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific field
- 1–2 years of laboratory experience (academic or industry)
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow structured experimental protocols
- Ability to work under close to general supervision with willingness to learn
Research Associate II
- BS or MS degree in a related field
- 2+ years of laboratory or research experience
- Ability to execute experiments under general guidance with defined priorities
- Strong documentation, organization, and communication skills
Senior Research Associate
- BS with 3+ years OR MS with 2+ years of relevant experience
- Strong experience in diagnostic assay development (lateral flow experience preferred/essential)
- Ability to independently execute experiments and interpret data
- Experience contributing to experimental design and scientific decision-making
Required Skills (All Levels)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail and documentation practices
- Strong organizational and time management abilities
- Ability to collaborate effectively within a diverse team
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, regulated R&D environment
- Familiarity with QMS and regulated laboratory workflows
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in diagnostic assay development, especially lateral flow assays
- Knowledge of ISO 13485 or other regulated quality systems (especially for senior candidates)
- Experience supporting R&D-to-manufacturing workflows
- Exposure to assay scale-up or transfer processes
