Research Assistant, Applications Lab

PacBio

Menlo Park, CAFull-time$55–83K/yrPosted 2 days agoStill listed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$55–83K/yr
Location
Menlo Park, CA
Role Type
Research
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

PacBio’s Applications Lab demonstrates long-read sequencing technology, supports customer projects, and develops sequencing workflows. The Research Assistant supports internal and external sequencing projects by preparing DNA and RNA libraries, operating PacBio HiFi systems, and troubleshooting experiments. The role works with scientists and laboratory staff to maintain records and deliver sequencing results. Non-field employees are onsite Monday through Thursday and work from home Friday, though some roles may be fully onsite.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Molecular BiologyGeneticsBiochemistryLaboratory ExperimentationTroubleshooting (Problem Solving)Quality ControlMolecular Biology TechniquesDNA Sample PreparationRNA Sample PreparationLaboratory ProtocolsRecordkeepingAttention to DetailOrganizationExperiment PrioritizationAnalytical SkillsCollaborationCommunicationTeamworkSequencing Library PreparationSequencing Instrument OperationDNA and RNA Quality ControlLaboratory AutomationHigh-Throughput Laboratory Operations

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, or Related Life Sciences or Equivalent Laboratory ExperienceCurrent US Work Authorization Without Sponsorship

Full job description

Research Assistant, Applications Lab

OPPORTUNITY

PacBio is advancing highly accurate long-read sequencing to enable new discoveries and applications in genomics research and genetic testing. Our Applications Lab plays an important role in demonstrating the capabilities of PacBio technology, supporting customer projects, and developing new sequencing workflows.

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support laboratory operations, including DNA and RNA library preparation, sequencing on the PacBio HiFi systems, and troubleshooting experiments.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Research Assistant in PacBio's Applications Lab, you will support sequencing projects for internal teams and external customers. You will operate and monitor sequencing systems and help ensure reliable execution of laboratory workflows.

You will work closely with scientists and other laboratory staff to troubleshoot experiments, maintain accurate records, and deliver high-quality sequencing results. This is a hands-on laboratory role requiring attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and an interest in genomics technologies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Sequencer operations: Load, operate, and monitor PacBio sequencing systems. Track run performance, identify issues, and support reliable completion of sequencing experiments.
  • Library preparation: Prepare DNA and RNA sequencing libraries, including whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA workflows, following established protocols and quality control procedures.
  • Troubleshooting: Identify and investigate issues with library preparation and sequencing runs. Work with laboratory scientists and technical teams to determine causes and implement corrective actions.
  • Laboratory operations: Maintain accurate experimental records, organize samples and reagents, and support routine laboratory equipment maintenance and inventory management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or a related life sciences field, or equivalent laboratory experience.
  • Hands-on laboratory experience with molecular biology techniques, including DNA or RNA sample preparation.
  • Ability to follow detailed laboratory protocols, maintain accurate records, and consistently deliver high-quality results.
  • Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities.
  • Good analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to recognize experimental issues and work collaboratively to resolve them.
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Experience

  • Experience with next-generation sequencing, including sequencing library preparation or instrument operation.
  • Familiarity with DNA and RNA quality control methods and laboratory automation.
  • Experience working in a genomics core facility, sequencing service laboratory, or other high-throughput laboratory environment.

Candidates must have current authorization to work in the United States without the need for present or future sponsorship.

Non-Field Based Employees are required to be onsite Monday-Thursday (Friday work from home). Depending on the role, some employees may be required to be 100% onsite.

You may be required from time to time to visit and work at PacBio locations and for such times as the Company considers necessary for the proper performance of your duties.

All listed tasks and responsibilities are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional tasks and responsibilities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

#LI-Onsite

Salary Range: $55,300.00 - $82,900.00

To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at PacBio. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. PacBio does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, PacBio employees or any other company location. PacBio is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact us at 650-521-8000, or [email protected] for assistance.

Visit our following pages for more information on:

  • FAQs
  • Benefits
  • Culture
  • Equal Opportunity Employment

Beware of Recruitment Fraud Please be aware of employment scams where people or entities misuse PacBio’s name, or the names of PacBio employees, to post fake job advertisements or make fake job offers. PacBio will never extend a job offer without a personal interview and will never charge any money for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Careers page of our official website. If you see a job posting that is not on the PacBio official website, or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond and do not send money or provide any personal information.

IT IS LIKELY A SCAM OR FAKE JOB AD IF:

  • The job offer requires you to pay something (for example, to purchase equipment).
  • You receive a job offer that you didn’t apply for, or without a personal interview or interaction.
  • The interview seems to involve AI video or audio.
  • You found a job on a job board or third-party channel, but the job doesn’t exist on the official PacBio careers page
  • You suspect it is a scam.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

  • Never give personal and confidential information.
  • Never pay for anything as part of interviewing for, or accepting, an offer of employment.
  • Ignore it if it seems like a scam.

How this job compares

Set against the 678 open Research Assistant jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 3, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$55–83K/yr
  • US median$45–60K/yr73 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $69K, is 30% above the US median midpoint ($53K) — in the top quarter of Research Assistant salary ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 21 open Research Assistant jobs in California and 678 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
Research Assistant postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 2 years (154 postings).
Education
186 of the 678 open Research Assistant jobs (27%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 3, 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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