Research Associate II, Technology Development

Overview

Profluent is an AI-first protein design company. Founded in 2022, we develop deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. Based in Emeryville, CA, we are backed by leading investors and have raised over $150M to date.

We are seeking a creative, passionate, and detail-oriented individual to join our Technology Development team. You will work at the intersection of biology, automation, and data to advance cutting-edge research. Your primary responsibility will be the high throughput screening of gene editing enzymes in mammalian cells, providing foundational datasets for building, training, and optimizing protein design algorithms.

On a monthly basis, you will be responsible for the execution, quality, and tracking of plate-based gene editing experiments. Day to day activities include preparation of plasmid DNA from bacterial culture, maintenance of mammalian cell cultures, roboticized plate-based transfections, PCR-based sample preparation, and data and sample tracking. To accomplish this at scale you will rely heavily on automated liquid handling instruments and our laboratory information management system.

As you gain mastery of the core workflow, you will earn the agency and responsibility to manage, prioritize, and improve. Areas for increased responsibility and impact include expansion to novel enzyme classes, scoping and development of novel assays, standardization and optimization of core workflows and computational tools.

As part of the team, you will excel as both an individual contributor and a collaborator, actively supporting shared goals while learning from and contributing to new technical and conceptual areas. You will engage in regular collaboration – including small and large group presentations – with Biology, Automation, Bioinformatics, and Machine Learning departments. Your adaptability and curiosity will help advance Profluent’s mission to develop gene-editing technologies.

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds who share our commitment to revolutionizing biology, driving meaningful innovation, and making a lasting impact on global healthcare. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI-driven protein design while collaborating with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of experts in machine learning, protein engineering, cell biology, and gene editing.

• Operate a continuous, cyclical workflow for high throughput mammalian genome editing
• Prepare, quantify, and normalize DNA from bacterial culture
• Culture and maintain bacterial and mammalian cells
• Perform high throughput, plate-based PCR
• Record and track the handling of large, plate-based experiments and their subsequent datasets using various computational tools (Excel, Benchling, Python, etc.)
• Manage reagent inventory and logistics to ensure uninterrupted operation of the screening pipeline
• Perform root-cause analysis for workflow deviations and implement corrective actions and policies
• Engage, coordinate, and present results to internal stakeholder groups including Automation, Bioinformatics, Biology, and Machine Learning
• Contribute to lab maintenance and adhere to EHS standards

• BS or Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related field with 1-2 years of biotechnology industry research experience or equivalent academic experience
• or a MS in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related field
• Experience with mammalian and bacterial cell culture
• Experience with molecular biology (miniprep, PCR, gel electrophoresis)
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across interdisciplinary teams
• Strong organizational skills to accurately track laboratory samples and experimental data

• Experience in an industrial R&D operations setting
• Experience processing and analyzing large experimental datasets (i.e. Python, SQL, JMP)
• Experience with laboratory automation
• Experience with high throughput screening workflows
• Experience with CRISPR and/or mammalian cell-based gene editing assays
• Experience with next generation sequencing wet lab and computational…