Senior Research Associate

• Starting compensation: $90,000 to $100,000, depending on experience
• Work location: In-person in Boston, MA
• Final date to receive applications: Sunday, February 8th

Secure Bio is building a metagenomics-based pathogen-agnostic early warning system to protect the world from catastrophic pandemics. As advances in biotechnology lower the barriers to engineering pathogens, our mission is to ensure humanity is prepared. We develop systems to identify stealth pathogens and novel biological threats early enough to mount an effective response, including threats that spread without obvious symptoms.

The Senior Research Associate will help us achieve this mission by executing and improving laboratory workflows to support metagenomic sequencing across diverse sample types (e.g., swabs, wastewater, biosurveillance samples). This role works both collaboratively with the laboratory team and program leads, and with substantial autonomy. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career and develop new skills with an exceptional, mission-driven team in a fast-paced startup environment.

Execute end-to-end metagenomic sequencing workflows with support and training from scientists, including DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and QC.

Prepare short- and long-read sequencing libraries (e.g., Illumina, Oxford Nanopore).

Rigorously document work in Secure Bio’s electronic laboratory notebook.

Troubleshoot workflow issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

Contribute to SOP development and versioning.

Support controlled sample management and development of inventory management systems.

Support scalable, production-minded workflow design (batching, standardized handoffs, controls) aligned with downstream computational pipelines.

Maintain accurate metadata and sample tracking, resolving discrepancies that impact analysis.

Support routine operational needs, including inventory readiness, reagent tracking, and vendor coordination.

Provide clear status updates, surface risks early, and ensure reliable handoffs to sequencing and analysis teams.

Communicate results and risks clearly across programs, laboratory and computational teams.

Contribute to internal updates and, as appropriate, external-facing materials (e.g., reports or presentations).

Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of relevant laboratory experience, or Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience. This experience can be in an academic lab.

Hands-on experience with parts of short- and/or long-read sequencing workflows and QC.

Hands-on experience working with RNA.

Proven ability to follow laboratory protocols, troubleshoot, implement improvements, and capture rigorous notes in an electronic laboratory notebook.

Ability to work autonomously while collaborating and communicating clearly across teams.

Experience working with viruses.

Experience with liquid handling automation and high-throughput laboratory environments.

Familiarity with sample tracking systems and metadata capture systems.

Experience with environmental or complex samples (e.g., wastewater, nasal swabs).

Working knowledge of metagenomic or pathogen surveillance applications.

Exposure to downstream computational or bioinformatics workflows.

This is a full-time, in-person role, reporting to the Nucleic Acid Observatory's Head of Laboratory Science in our Boston, Massachusetts lab space. The starting salary range is $90,000 to $100,000 per annum, depending on prior experience. There may be flexibility in salary for exceptional candidates with significant relevant experience.

Our employee benefits reflect our belief in investing to build the strongest possible team, in which everyone receives the trust and support they need to excel. Our benefits package includes:

Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including health, dental & vision insurance, as well as a yearly mental health allowance for every employee.

Flexible work hours; unlimited paid time off (PTO) for all employees; and minimum 12 weeks fully-paid parental leave.

Generous professional development opportunities, including fully-paid conference sponsor ships and a yearly development allowance for every employee.

Employer 401(k) match up to 4% of total salary.

We will review applications on a rolling basis, and are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.

After considering your written application, we may invite you to a short initial work test or screening interview. High-performing candidates may be invited to further interviews, followed by an in-person work trial. We will also require two to three reference checks.

We’re committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, and we encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We especially encourage…