Job Title: Research Associate II
Duration: 12 months +
Location: South San Francisco, CA, 94080

Description:
 
Job Description Summary

• This position is in the Investigative Toxicology Group within the Department of Translational Safety in Research and Early Development organization.
• The mission of the Investigative Toxicology group is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying toxicities that are observed non-clinically and / or in clinical trials through hypothesis driven research.
• This process involves closely collaborating with scientists across the organization to support the overall safety assessment for our novel therapeutics spanning drug discovery through clinical development and marketing.
• The group provides fit-for-purpose wet lab-based investigation to address target safety assessment, lead optimization and issue mitigation by employing state-of-the-science in vitro and ex vivo approaches.
•  As such, we are constantly establishing new platforms and technologies to support a dynamic portfolio, novel modalities and emerging therapeutic area needs.
• We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to work in collaboration with other researchers in the Investigative Toxicology lab.
• This laboratory-based role involves performing, qualifying and implementing biological assays and technologies to support the Investigative Toxicology group.
• The candidate must have experience in cell culture and will be responsible for: culturing and expanding primary cells and cell lines for in vitro screenings, treating and performing assays to assess cytotoxicity and metabolic changes of cells, capturing cell culture images using confocal and high content imaging.
• This individual will be working with cells from a broad range of tissues (e.g., liver, lung, biliary, ocular) and is expected to make detailed observations related to experiments, perform, analyze data and interpret results.
• They will contribute with scientific insights and also work on projects related to peer review publications.
• The individual will also participate in the development of novel in vitro platforms / approaches to support toxicity testing for our drug discovery programs. This is an ideal position for a researcher who is enthusiastic about learning and contributing to projects with a broad range of techniques.
• As such, the position requires excellent communication and collaboration skills, a desire to learn about and integrate multiple aspects of drug toxicity and a passion for lab-based research.

Skills:

• The candidate will provide scientific and technical support to assays and platforms supported by the Investigative Toxicology group by:
• Performing experiments involving immortalized and primary cell culture, cell viability assessment, ELISAs, gene expression analysis, high content screening, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. Experience with these methodologies is desirable, but not required.
• Maintaining documentation related to protocol execution and results.
• Writing protocols and contributing to final reports as appropriate.
• Adhering to departmental SOPs to ensure study integrity and quality.
• Conducting experiments with a high level of independence and initiative.
• Performing tasks with minimal direct supervision for routine methods and studies commonly employed by the team.

 
Education:

• Bachelors (BS / BA) in pharmacology, pharmaceutical science, biology, bioengineering, chemistry, physiology, or related discipline is required; Masters (MS) degree is desirable, but not required.

 
Technical Experience Requirements:

• 1-3+ years of laboratory experience with hypothesis-driven research.
• Ability to analyze, integrate, and present data in a presentation is required.
• Experience with immortalized and / or primary cell culture is required
• Experience with cell viability assessment, ELISAs, gene expression analysis, high content screening, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry is highly desired.
• Experience with complex in vitro model systems is highly desired.

 
Role will Involve:

• Sitting or standing for extended periods.
• Performing repetitive tasks such as cell culture, pipetting and labeling tubes.
• Collaboration across the Investigative Toxicology team and with key stakeholders.
• Work with potentially hazardous materials including (but not limited to): chemotherapeutics, biological hazards and human primary cells

 

About Us: Established in 2004, SPECTRAFORCE® is one of the largest and fastest-growing diversity-owned staffing firms in the US. The growth of our company is a direct result of our global client service delivery model that is powered by our state-of-the-art A.I. proprietary talent acquisition platform, robust ISO 9001:2015/ISO 27001 certified processes, and strong and passionate client engaged teams. We have built our business by providing talent and project-based solutions, including Contingent, Permanent, and Statement of Work (SOW) services to over 140 clients in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and India. Key industries that we service include Technology, Financial Services, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Telecom, Retail, Utilities and Transportation. SPECTRAFORCE is built on a concept of “human connection,” defined by our branding attitude of NEWJOBPHORIA®, which is the excitement of bringing joy and freedom to the work lifestyle so our people and clients can reach their highest potential. Learn more at: http://www.spectraforce.com
 
Benefits: SPECTRAFORCE offers ACA compliant health benefits as well as dental, vision, accident, critical illness, voluntary life, and hospital indemnity insurances to eligible employees. Additional benefits offered to eligible employees include commuter benefits, 401K plan with matching, and a referral bonus program. SPECTRAFORCE provides unpaid leave as well as paid sick leave when required by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer: SPECTRAFORCE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Please contact Human Resources at LOA@spectraforce.com if you require reasonable accommodation.
 
California Applicant Notice: SPECTRAFORCE is committed to complying with the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) effective January 1, 2023; and all data privacy laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. A Notice to California Job Applicants Regarding the Collection of Personal Information can be located on our website. Applicants with disabilities may access this notice in an alternative format by contacting NAHR@spectraforce.com.
 
LA County, CA Applicant Notice: If you are selected for this position with SPECTRAFORCE, your offer is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of several requirements, including but not limited to, a criminal background check. We consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with all local ordinances and state laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA). The background check assessment will consider whether a criminal history could reasonably have a direct, adverse impact on the job-related safety, security, trust, regulatory compliance, or suitability for this role. Such findings may result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer. 


At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $45.00/hr.