Research Associate, Cell Line Development Automation

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our first-of-its-kind optogenetic platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology enables dynamic, tunable control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, and reproducibility advantages across the most complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV.

We are seeking a motivated Research Associate II or Senior Research Associate to join our Automation/Cell Line Development (CLD) team, with a focus on laboratory automation and high-throughput workflows. In this role, you will develop and optimize automated workflows to support cell line development, contribute to pipeline projects, and conduct experiments to improve the performance of our optogenetic Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines. You will work at the intersection of laboratory automation, cell culture, and molecular biology, helping improve the efficiency, scalability, and reproducibility of our CLD processes. This role is based on-site at our headquarters in Emeryville, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct experiments independently, collect and analyze data in a timely manner, and maintain detailed documentation in electronic lab notebooks.

• Conduct experiments at the Automation/CLD interface and establish efficient automation workflows (Tecan or Hamilton) for CLD processes during seed train, production, or screening (Ambr or Beacon) processes.

• Communicate successfully with any team, demonstrating the ability to compile and present across different teams and forums within the company.

• Quickly analyze and provide critical data and figures to support presentations, patent applications, or publications.

• Collaborate closely with members of the CLD team as well as other teams within Prolific Machines. Contribute to lab maintenance and safety as a good lab citizen.

• Develop and optimize analytical methods, ensuring adherence to safety and operational standards, following established protocols, and providing data for regulatory submissions.

• This is a lab-based position, and onsite presence is required as dictated by Automation and Cell Line Development (CLD) responsibilities and experimental needs.

About You:

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience: A Bachelor's degree with 2-5+ years of relevant industry experience or a Master's degree with 1-4+ years of relevant experience is expected for an RA II position. Additional experience and increased independence expected at the Sr. RA level.

• Designing and Executing Experiments: Developing and proposing experimental plans, conducting experiments, and troubleshooting analytical techniques and methodologies

• Work Style: The candidate is expected to precisely follow protocols, design and execute experiments independently, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced setting.

• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for documenting findings and effective collaboration. Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) software and ability to perform independent data analysis and generating meaningful conclusions is required.

Technical Experience:

• Experience with cell line development workflows (pool generation, clonal isolation, stability testing).

• Experience with automation systems used during CLD processes (scripting experience on the Tecan or Hamilton would be an added plus).

• Exposure to high-throughput screening platforms (e.g., Beacon, Ambr, Octet, Cedex, and other regularly used Automation systems).

• Experience with molecular cloning and molecular biology techniques (PCR, protein quantification).

• Working knowledge of statistical analysis or design of experiments (DoE). Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced R&D environment.

• (Nice to have) Familiarity with optogenetic systems, inducible promoters, or light-responsive protein engineering.

About You: A successful candidate for this role will:

• Have a flexible and independent working attitude.

• Adapt successfully to changing situations and environments.

• Have a strong eagerness to learn.

• Have well-developed communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.

• Be proactive and drive to optimize workflows.

This is an individual contributor role within the Research Associate track. The position is best suited for candidates who excel in hands-on execution, instrumentation, and technical operations in a laboratory setting. Growth opportunities within this role are focused on deepening technical expertise, expanding instrument proficiency, and taking on increasing operational responsibility within the Cell Line Development function.

Benefits: Generous equity package in an early stage company, retirement plan with company contribution, flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums, company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, career coaching, mental health support, free team lunches everyday, great snacks, and companywide social events!

Diversity: Prolific Machines values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can bring their authentic selves to work and have equal opportunities to succeed. Prolific Machines is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)