Research Associate II, Technical Operations

A-Alpha Bio is an early-stage and rapidly growing drug discovery company headquartered in Seattle, WA. We are enabling the next generation of high-impact therapeutics by combining high-throughput synthetic biology to measure protein-protein interactions at scale with state-of-the-art machine learning to predict how proteins bind. We partner with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to enable the discovery of antibodies, molecular glues, and other protein interaction-related drugs. In parallel, we use our wet-lab and computational platforms to discover and develop an internal pipeline of biologics and molecular glues to improve human health.

This role is not open to remote applicants and would require relocation to Seattle, WA.

Starting Salary Range: $73,000 - $87,000 annually

Exemption Status: Exempt

Location Expectations: Onsite

Reporting To: Manager II, Technical Operations

Role Description

At A-Alpha Bio, we’re on a mission to improve human health by unlocking the potential of protein-protein interactions – and we’re now seeking a Research Associate II to support our Technical Operations team’s execution of our yeast-based AlphaSeq platform for drug discovery and optimization.

In this role, you’ll execute yeast transformations and matings, next-generation sequencing, and cell sorting and analysis to support production of yeast libraries and interrogation of protein-protein interactions. You’ll also work collaboratively with team members to execute tasks in multiple workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute DNA library preparation and sequencing workflows for Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina platforms.
• Perform cell sorting and flow cytometry.
• Perform yeast transformation and matings.
• Execute DNA library construction as assigned.
• Support development and optimization of standard operating procedures for existing and new experimental workflows.
• Contribute to project teams and execute project-related tasks as needed. 
• Train new Research Associates as requested.
• Develop foundational understanding of and executional expertise in Technical Operations methods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 2+ years of relevant postbaccalaureate laboratory experience in the biotechnology industry; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques, including DNA extractions, quantitative PCR, Gibson assembly, and fragment analysis.
• Experience with multi-parametric flow cytometry.
• Experience in a high-throughput screening or manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within a LIMS/ELN.
• Strong work ethic, organizational skills, team orientation, and attention to detail.
• Flexibility in day-to-day schedule and willingness to work outside of standard hours when necessary, including weekends.  

Preferred

• Operator experience in a regulated environment (e.g., CLIA, cGXP).
• Hands-on experience with Illumina, ONT, and/or PacBio next-generation sequencing platforms.
• Experience with cell sorting.
• Experience using yeast as a model organism.
• Experience with Benchling.
• Experience using Lab Automation. 

We offer competitive compensation, including benefits, flexible time off, and equity in a fast-growing start-up. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States. At this time, A-Alpha Bio is unable to offer visa sponsorship in any form.

About A-Alpha Bio 

A-Alpha Bio is a biotechnology company that leverages synthetic biology and machine learning to measure, predict, and engineer protein-protein interactions. Our AlphaSeq platform applies synthetic biology to experimentally measure millions of protein interaction affinities simultaneously. Protein binding data is incorporated into our AlphaBind platform to train machine learning models that predict binding from sequence. We use both platforms to discover and optimize high-impact therapeutics for our pipeline and in partnership with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

In 2018, A-Alpha Bio spun out of the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design and Center for Synthetic Biology – both communities filled with brilliant and highly entrepreneurial scientists. Since the company’s inception, we have focused on an oncology-centered internal pipeline along with pharma and biotech partnerships to collaboratively train predictive machine learning models and discover and optimize drugs for therapeutic areas ranging from infectious disease to neurodegeneration. New members of the team should expect a fast-paced, highly dynamic, and interdisciplinary work environment. We are building a diverse, meritocratic, and supportive team that shares our values of speaking the truth, shooting for the moon, taking the reins, playing for the team, and improving the world.

A-Alpha Bio is headquartered in a custom designed lab and office space in downtown Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. While the startup lifestyle occasionally requires grueling hours, we strongly value the need for a work-life balance. We are fortunate to be situated in a region that is renowned for its premier outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, kayaking, sailing, and more. At A-Alpha, you’ll find many who love the outdoors, but also gamers, amateur chefs, explorers, sports fans, bakers, crafters, photographers, brewers, jetsetters, animal lovers, and artists. Whatever your passions, you belong at A-Alpha Bio!