Principal Research Associate, Translational Sciences BioA - Sana Biotechnology

About the role

Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who are passionate about delivering the possible to patients, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas.  Sana is involved in developing gene and cell therapeutics for the treatment of a broad range of diseases and conditions. As a member of the Translational Sciences, Clinical and Non-clinical Biomarkers group, you will work within a highly dynamic and cross-functional environment on projects of diverse scope and across multiple therapeutic areas and report to a Group Leader. To accelerate the development of transformative medicines, we seek a Principal Research Associate to build essential platform capabilities as well as develop and qualify functional assays to support molecular, bioanalytic assays, exploratory clinical assay work, IND enabling studies and work with CROs. The Principal Research Associate (PRA) will work on the qualification and running in-house assay on ongoing clinical trials to understand biomarkers associated and patient response.  Cool stuff!

What you’ll do

• Uses professional concepts in accordance with company objectives to solve problems in creative and effective ways. This is a benchwork focused position
• Develop and apply existing or novel ddPCR and qPCR based assays
• Perform DNA/RNA isolation from different cell types and organs for in vivo/ in vitro
• Develop and apply existing or novel LBA based assays
• Independently plan, coordinate, and execute experiments in timely manner.
• Independently and under the supervision of Group Lead and other colleagues work to analyze and interpret experimental results.
• Internal sample management of critical reagents and clinical samples
• Support CROs in development / qualification / validation of assay methods
• Make detailed observations, contemporaneously document experimental results, methods in a well-maintained laboratory notebook
• Present results at team meetings
• Facilitate discussion with other team members as necessary to ensure the completion of the team’s projects
• Comply with standard laboratory practices and company policies.

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor's plus 6 yrs or MS w 4+ yrs or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Proven extensive hands-on experience in PCR methodologies, preferably in ddPCR
• Experience in culturing mammalian cell lines with demonstrated competence in sterile cell culture technique and standard laboratory procedures.
• Ability to proactively engage groups with diverse functions within a highly matrixed organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail and data quality, and experience working on cross-functional teams.
• Technical proficiency, scientific creativity, independent thought and ability to actively communicate with scientists throughout the organization

What will separate you from the crowd

• Industry experience, including working in regulatory BioA environment is a plus (GCP, GLP)
• Experience with fast-paced and dynamic working environment and ability to adapt is a plus
• Experience with various molecular and cellular methods (ddPCR, qPCR, cell culture, flow, LBA) is a plus
• Experience with assay validation and qualification is a plus
• Ability to communicate and lead a change

What you should know

• The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $105,000 and $125,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

How we work together for patients

• Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
• Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
• Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution 

Get to know us

At Sana, we believe that a diverse workforce strengthens us as a company and helps us to achieve our mission to meaningfully change the outcome of many human diseases. This belief is a pillar of our business and is critical to our success. Our goal is that Sana is the place for talented people to bring their authentic selves to work, to have a great career and to deeply, positively impact patients.

Core to our values, we believe there is nothing more important than the health and wellness of you and your family. For benefit eligible employees, we cover 100% of the cost for employee health coverage and offer generous time-off (various paid time off benefits, such as holidays, vacation, sick time, and parental leave), short- and long-term disability, employer paid basic life insurance, additional voluntary life insurance protection, financial wellness programs including financial planning resources, a 401(k) Plan with an immediately vested employer match, Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, commuter subsidy and a variety of wellness offerings to support each person individually.  For more details on our benefits, visit Sana’s Benefits Portal.

We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental or sensory disability (including the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability), genetic information, actual or perceived HIV or Hepatitis C infection, medical condition (cancer or a record or history of cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), disability, veteran status, political ideology, social class (including caste/caste identity), taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions described above.