Research Scientist - Cell Culture

NovoClade is seeking a Research Scientist with expertise in cell biology, cell culture, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related scientific or engineering discipline. The Research Scientist will join a multidisciplinary team developing innovative biological technologies for pest-control applications. This position will focus on establishing, maintaining, characterizing, and optimizing cell culture systems, including cultures derived from non-model organisms. Because standardized protocols and reagents may not be available for these systems, the successful candidate must be comfortable developing methods, troubleshooting complex technical challenges, and drawing on the scientific literature to guide experimental decisions. This is a hands-on laboratory position with substantial responsibility for experimental planning, technical execution, data interpretation, and mentorship of other laboratory personnel. The successful candidate will be collaborative, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and comfortable working in the fast-paced environment of an early-stage biotechnology company. This position offers an opportunity to help establish the scientific and technical foundation of a growing company developing innovative approaches to biological pest control.

• Establish, maintain, expand, cryopreserve, and characterize cell cultures derived from non-model organisms.
• Develop and optimize culture conditions, including media formulations, supplements, substrates, incubation conditions, passaging methods, and cryopreservation protocols.
• Isolate cells or tissues and evaluate approaches for establishing primary cultures and stable cell lines.
• Monitor cell morphology, viability, proliferation, contamination status, and long-term culture stability.
• Design and conduct experiments involving cell growth, viability, transfection, gene expression, and cellular phenotype.
• Develop and optimize methods for delivering DNA, RNA, proteins, or other biological materials into cultured cells.
• Evaluate and implement approaches for genetic modification, selection, cloning, and characterization of cultured cells.
• Develop and perform assays to evaluate cellular responses and experimental outcomes.
• Independently research relevant scientific literature and adapt published methods for use in new or poorly characterized cell systems.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges and recommend changes in experimental strategy.
• Analyze, interpret, document, and communicate experimental results.
• Work with management and project teams to define objectives, timelines, milestones, and resource requirements.
• Coordinate complex laboratory studies and contribute to experimental work plans and schedules.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and well-organized laboratory records.
• Develop standard operating procedures and support the establishment of laboratory quality-control practices.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to research staff, interns, and other laboratory personnel.
• Prepare technical reports, research summaries, presentations, scientific publications, patent materials, and research proposals.
• Present results and participate in project, laboratory, and company meetings.
• Contribute to a collaborative, rigorous, and safety-conscious laboratory culture.

• Ph.D. in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, biochemistry, or a closely related field.
• At least two years of relevant academic or industry laboratory experience beyond graduate research.
• Demonstrated experience establishing, maintaining, and experimentally manipulating eukaryotic cell cultures.
• Strong understanding of cell biology and the biological principles underlying cell growth, viability, differentiation, and cellular phenotype.
• Experience developing or optimizing cell culture protocols rather than relying exclusively on established commercial procedures.
• Experience with aseptic technique, cell counting, viability assessment, media preparation, passaging, cryopreservation, and contamination control.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot protocols, interpret data, and determine appropriate next steps.
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities while maintaining accurate and detailed documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to less-experienced laboratory personnel.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. NovoClade is unable to provide employment visa sponsorship for this position.

• Experience establishing primary cell cultures or cell lines from tissues or organisms for which standardized culture protocols are not available.
• Experience working with cells or tissues derived from non-model organisms.
• Experience optimizing media formulations, extracellular matrices, growth conditions, or cryopreservation methods.
• Experience with transfection, electroporation, nucleofection, viral delivery, microinjection, or other methods for introducing biological materials into cultured cells.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques, including PCR, nucleic-acid purification, molecular cloning, DNA assembly, and sequence analysis.
• Experience designing and assembling plasmids or other genetic constructs.
• Experience with genome-editing systems such as CRISPR/Cas9, TALENs, base editors, or related technologies.
• Experience generating, selecting, cloning, and characterizing genetically modified cell populations or clonal cell lines.
• Experience with microscopy, image analysis, flow cytometry, cell sorting, immunostaining, or related cell-characterization methods.
• Experience developing quantitative cell-based assays.
• Proficiency with molecular biology or sequence-analysis software such as Geneious, Benchling, ApE, or similar platforms.
• Experience supervising, training, or mentoring research personnel.
• Experience working in a biotechnology company, startup, or other fast-moving research environment.
• Contributions to peer-reviewed publications, patents, grant applications, or funded research proposals.

Annual salary based on experience and qualifications, with eligibility for performance-based bonus compensation and opportunities for additional compensation through stock options.

• Health and dental insurance.
• Retirement benefits.