Associate Researcher

In Thousand Oaks, the Automated Screening Platforms / High-Throughput Assays group in the Lead Discovery & Targeted Protein Degradation organization is seeking a temporary contract worker for a laboratory based on-site role to provide assay reagent preparation for screening assay delivery. The desired team member will primarily contribute to a high demand for routine cell culture (expansion, banking and quality-control) of various mammalian cell lines. Responsibilities will also include collaborating with robotic platform operators to execute high-throughput cell-based & biochemical assays, in support of small molecule therapeutic discovery research pipeline & platform projects. Additional tasks include general laboratory maintenance activities such as preparing media & buffers, ordering / stocking reagents & consumables. Training will be provided to use assay information management software applications (electronic lab notebook) and as needed utilization of laboratory instrumentation to deliver on job responsibilities.

Daily activity will vary day-to-day but in scope activities include :

• Perform routine maintenance of mammalian cell lines (expansion, aliquoting, cryobanking)
• Routine preparation of assay reagents to support screening on automated screening platforms
• Order, prepare, and maintain laboratory reagents & consumables to perform assays
• As needed, offline assay validation experiments in 384- and 1536-well plate format

An ideal candidate will have experience with mammalian cell culture techniques. Additionally, candidates should be detail-orientated, highly motivated, team player and a quick learner with a strong background in life sciences, molecular & cellular biology, and / or biochemistry. Experience in a laboratory setting developing and performing microtiter plate based biochemical & cell-based assays, including familiarity with luminescence-based, TRF, ALPHA, & / or high-content imaging assays is preferred. Experience with software programming skills (Python), or using AI agents (Copilot, ChatGPT) are beneficial but not required.

MS or Bachelor in biological sciences.