Research Associate I/II - Discovery
Syenex
Evanston, IL, USA
Posted on Feb 26, 2026
Please email your resume to hr@syenex.com with the position title in the subject line if you see "No longer accepting applications" above
About Us
Syenex builds bioengineering technologies to advance therapeutic development. Leveraging expertise in synthetic biology, we design scalable, precision-engineered components, empowering cell and gene therapy developers to cure disease and build the next generation of medicines.
Designed to break the barriers that slow medical progress, our Open Science model ensures global access to our expanding toolkit and a network of scale-up partners, accelerating the path of breakthroughs from idea to impact for all of academia and biopharma.
Since 2022, Syenex has rapidly built a portfolio of cell-specific bioengineering systems and established partnerships across the fields of immune cell, stem cell, and hepatocyte engineering. Learn more and get started at www.syenex.com.
About the Role
We are looking for a motivated Research Associate to join the Discovery Team and support the design, production, optimization, and screening of novel delivery vectors for cell and gene therapy. Characterization and evaluation of those delivery vehicles and in vitro assay development will be key elements of the position, along with primary cell and cell line maintenance and culturing. This individual will join a dynamic, rapidly growing, and highly collaborative team that combines significant biological discovery experience with pioneering discoveries driving multiple delivery platforms.
Responsibilities
- Maintain mammalian cell cultures.
- Produce and test novel vector designs for mammalian cell delivery via flow cytometry and imaging techniques.
- Characterize gene and protein expression in mammalian cells using flow cytometry, microscopy, qPCR, ELISA, etc.
- Perform molecular biology-based cloning and plasmid preparation.
- Participate in experimental design and optimization.
- Follow Standard Operating Procedures and develop new protocols when necessary.
- Work collaboratively to generate and screen novel delivery vehicles.
- Maintain accurate records of experimental samples through database curation and electronic tracking.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's plus 1-2 years laboratory experience in an academic or industry setting or MS in scientific related field (Biology, Biochemistry, Engineering)
- Familiarity with basic laboratory procedures
- Experience maintaining various cells in culture using standard techniques
- Experience with mammalian cell transfection
- Understanding of molecular biology and cell biology
- Familiarity with viral vectors and/or nanoparticles
- Experience with flow cytometry
- Experience with protein characterization (e.g., ELISA, western-blots, BLI)
- Highly motivated with a strong desire to learn and contribute to team science
- Strong work ethic with attention to detail and data quality
- Demonstrated ability in working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and technical environment
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary and equity package
- Comprehensive benefits, including 90% health coverage and 4% 401(k) match
Syenex is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, and strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups in science and technology to apply.
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