Senior Research Associate, In Vivo Islet - 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 want to challenge status quo, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas. The Senior Research Associate is responsible for the in vivo assessment of differentiated pancreatic Islet cells in Sana’s Cambridge lab. You will join a team responsible for evaluating graft structure and function after cell transplantation.  This position is specifically dedicated to the histological analysis of transplanted tissues, including all aspects of tissue preparation, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, microscopy and quantitative imaging, within Sana’s Stem Cell Sciences lab. This role will require sufficient personal expertise to teach as well as troubleshoot these techniques. In addition, it is expected to assure the quality of data collection, both personally and on the part of allied laboratory staff. This position reports to the Scientist and work under the broader direction of the Program Team Lead for Stem Cell Sciences.

What you’ll do 

•    Histological processing including tissue procurement, sectioning, and immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry of experimental tissues
•    Microscopy and image analysis of processed samples
•    Quantitative histology and analysis of processed data
•    Assuring the quality and integrity of all data collection and documentation
•    Handling of rodent models, including blood draws for serum analysis
•    Assuring compliance with all relevant lab safety and biosafety regulations
•    Demonstrate Sana’s core values and the attributes that support these core values (Lead from every seat, Thrive as a team, Make it happen)

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate is expected to have extensive hands-on expertise in histology, methods necessary to assess transplanted animals, and microscopy (epifluorescent and confocal). The successful candidate will have sufficient personal expertise and contribute towards the maintenance of both the histology and molecular lab environments, including day-to-day operations and personnel coordination, as well as assuring the quality of data collection. 

•    BA/MA in cell biology, stem cell biology, biotechnology, or a related fields plus 4 years of experience
•    Significant experience in cryosectioning, slide preparation, histopathological stains, immunocytochemistry, microscopy, and digital image analysis
•    Understanding of in situ hybridization and spatial transcriptomic techniques
•    Proficiency with MS Office, and with standard programs for statistical analysis (e.g., GraphPad Prism), slide imaging, and quantitative histology (e.g., StereoInvestigator; Halo). 

What will separate you from the crowd 

•    Background in pancreatic biology and/or endodermal development preferred
•    Excellent interpersonal, communicative, and problem-solving skills 

What you should know 

•    The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $90,000 to $102,000/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.