
Sr Research Associate
Pasadena, CAContract$48/hrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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Job overview
Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Senior Research Associate for a contract position with a precision neuroscience startup in Pasadena. The role supports research on genetic circuits designed to control protein expression, with laboratory work evaluating gene circuit functionality in cell lines and, as applicable, in vivo disease models. The associate will develop and optimize assays, document work, and report progress; approximately 80% of work hours involve laboratory activities.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Senior Research Associate
Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Senior Research Associate for contract position at a cutting-edge client in Pasadena, CA. If you’re passionate about bringing the latest scientific discoveries to life and are ready to take the next step in your career,trust The Experts at Hiring Experts.
Pay: $48/hr
Schedule: Mon-Fri Day shift
Overview
This client is a precision neuroscience startup developing genetic therapies for serious diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The team is developing genetic circuits designed to control protein expression.
In this role, you will carry out, optimize, and develop assays; establish written SOPs; and report progress to team members. Laboratory work will support evaluation of gene circuit functionality, including expression levels and protein localization or efficacy, in cell lines and, as applicable, in vivo disease models. Approximately 80% of work hours will involve laboratory activities.
Responsibilities:
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Carry out, optimize, and develop laboratory assays to support research programs.
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Establish and maintain written SOPs and detailed laboratory notes.
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Evaluate gene circuit functionality in
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cell lines and, as applicable, in vivo disease models.
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Document experiments, troubleshoot procedures, and report progress to team members.
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Collaborate with company leadership and scientists on laboratory projects.
Qualifications:
- BS/MS degree with relevant experience in biochemical/biomedical research,
neuroscience, or related disciplines
- Experience with basic molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA/protein extraction
and quantification, PCR, cloning, etc.)
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Experience with protein assays such as ELISAs and Western Blots
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Experience in one or more of the following areas: phage display, antibody production and/or purification, AAV work, molecular biology, iPSC culture, or Transwell systems.
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Experience performing and troubleshooting laboratory assays, with the ability to document work and maintain detailed laboratory notes.
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Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills, and the ability to contribute independently and as part of a team.
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Ability to manage timelines and contribute to a collaborative, fast-paced startup environment.
What happens next:
Once you apply, you’ll proceed to next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don’t worry – even if this position doesn’t work out, you’re still in our network. That means our team of expert Science & Clinical recruiters will have access to your profile, making your opportunities limitless.
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As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.
Why Kelly ® Science & Clinical?
Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.
About Kelly
Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment\_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .
Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.
How this job compares
Set against the 1,097 open Research Associate jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$48/hr
- California median$31–36/hr21 hourly ranges
- US median$16–18/hr119 hourly ranges
This rate, $48/hr, is 43% above the California median midpoint ($34/hr) — in the top quarter of Research Associate hourly ranges in California.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 120 open Research Associate jobs in California and 1,097 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- Cedars-Sinai22 open
- University of Southern California19 open
- UCLA Health6 open
- Experience
- Research Associate postings that state a minimum ask for 2 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 3 years (283 postings).
- Education
- 605 of the 1,097 open Research Associate jobs (55%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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