Research Associate II, Horns Lab (Molecular Biology)

Location: Palo Alto, California, United States; onsite at the Palo Alto headquarters

Base salary: $75,900 per year, excluding benefits and other compensation.

Company

hirify.global is an independent nonprofit research organization at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biology, conducting long-term research into complex diseases in partnership with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco.

What you will do

• Develop platform technologies for monitoring and manipulating mammalian cells.
• Apply molecular biology techniques including restriction cloning, Gibson assembly, DNA/RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, PCR, qPCR, and NGS library preparation.
• Conduct mammalian tissue culture, transfection, microscopy, flow cytometry, and molecular biology assays.
• Support research planning, execution, analysis, troubleshooting, and data interpretation with increasing independence.
• Analyze and present data at internal meetings and seminars.
• Maintain detailed lab records and help manage laboratory supplies, inventory, and equipment.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or equivalent professional experience in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of relevant academic or industry experience, including independent undergraduate laboratory work.
• Extensive hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques such as cloning, PCR, qPCR, or plasmid preparation.
• Proficiency with mammalian cell culture and transfections.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, documentation, organization, and communication skills.
• Minimum 2-year commitment with an explicit goal of using the experience to support entry into a PhD program.

Nice to have

• Experience with pooled or CRISPR screens.
• Mammalian cell engineering, including selection, flow cytometry-based cell assays, and microscopy.
• Ability to analyze large and complex datasets using Python, R, or similar tools.

Culture & Benefits

• Work alongside scientists in single-cell genomics, computational biology, and molecular engineering.
• Participate in projects from initial design through execution and co-authoring papers.
• Receive guidance and continued support from experienced scientists while working with a high degree of independence.
• Access long-term funding and industry-like research resources without commercial research pressures.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV and a brief cover letter describing research interests, projects of interest, and fit with the Horns Lab.
• Provide contact information for at least three references.