Cell Culture Technician – Bioservices – Immunology

About iQ Biosciences

iQ Biosciences provides focused research support to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic industries in the form of intelligent research services and quality biospecimens. We go beyond being reliable – we excel at being a trusted partner in the biomedical community to help cure disease. iQ Biosciences is entering a dynamic growth phase and looking to add an outstanding, highly motivated team player who aligns with our company culture and possesses the following characteristics: good judgment, effective communication, natural curiosity, sense of urgency, focused passion, honesty, and empathy. This position has high growth potential opportunities as the company continues to build and solidify its Bioservices division as a leading Immunology-focused research service provider. This is a golden opportunity to learn about the many diverse approaches that drug development companies, from start-ups to big pharma, are taking to improve human health in the immuno-oncology space and beyond.

Position Description: Research Associate I; Bioservices – Immunology

The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for the isolation, expansion, counting, thawing and cryopreservation of both primary mammalian cells as well as immortalized cell lines. This position requires basic knowledge of cellular immunology and experience with tissue culture. The ideal candidate will be able to follow basic protocols and demonstrate proficient aseptic techniques. The individual will maintain logs of cell culture expansions, prepare client records, create and maintain SOPs, and record details of new cell lines. This will be an ideal position for the candidate who is comfortable in a psychologically safe but candid start-up work environment and open to having multiple mentors (technical, business, career, and life) within iQ
Biosciences challenging him/her/them to reach their full potential.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform BSL-1 and BSL-2 tissue culture with immortalized human cell lines and primary cells, including
  thawing, maintaining, expanding, and cryopreserving/cryobanking processes.
• Maintain and expand mammalian cell lines for xenograft models and in vitro assays, working in a
  Biological Safety Cabinet using aseptic techniques, to ensure cell health and avoid contamination.
• Maintain multiple cell lines (between 4-20) in culture concurrently.
• Make appropriate cell media for each cell line or primary cell type.
• Schedule/plan for studies and order supplies, both consumables and cell media components.
• Operate, monitor, and maintain lab equipment (centrifuges, microscopes, automated cell counters,
  flow cytometers, and incubators) and keeps lab areas clean.
• Write and update SOPs, record details of new cell lines and log cell culture expansions.
• Communicate and coordinate with clients regarding study details and scheduling.
• Schedule couriers for transport of materials.
• Handle and dispose of biohazardous materials in a safe manner, conforming to standardized training.
• Demonstrate exceptional multi-tasking and prioritization skills.
• Take extensive notes during training sessions and effectively retain information.
• Work independently after initial training period.
• Provide training to new technicians.
• Must be organized and proactive in all aspects of work.
• Must be highly adaptive and flexible with good attention to detail.
• Must be able to troubleshoot issues based on reviewing methods & data results.
• This position will require on occasion, hours that exceed the typical working hours into the evenings and on weekends.

Auxiliary Responsibilities

• Perform immune cell isolations from whole blood and tissue samples, in Biological Safety cabinet,
  avoiding contamination.

Requirements

• Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 40 pounds approximately 0 to 1 time per day/shift.
• Activity: Lifting Large Shipping Boxes
  • Frequency: 0-1 time(s) per day
  • Item Dimensions: 18″H x 12″W x 13″D
  • Weight: 40 lbs
  • Starting Height: 43″
  • Finish Height: 0″
  • Distance from Body: 5″
• Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds approximately 5 to 10 times per day/shift.
• Activity: Lifting Liquid Nitrogen Racks
  • Frequency: ~5-10 times per day
  • Item Dimensions: 33″H x 6″W x 6″D
  • Weight: 25 lbs
  • Starting Height: 43″
  • Finish Height: 60″
  • Distance from Body: 14″
• Must be able to stand and walk continuously throughout an 8-hour shift.
• Must comply with laboratory policies and procedures.
• Must be available to work evenings or weekends if needed.
• Must be able to work in the lab 100% of the time.
• Must be available to work 8:30 am – 5:00 pm PST.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Qualifications

• B.S. with >1-2 years of laboratory experience in the areas of Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry or
  a related field. A strong desire to learn about pharmaceutical/biotech drug discovery and development
  is preferred.
• Proficient in sterile techniques, preferably mammalian cell culture.
• Experience using lab equipment such as: microscopes, automatic cell counters, centrifuges, and
  incubators. Highly proficient in pipetting. Flow cytometry experience is a bonus.
• Excellent oral presentation and communication skills.
• Strong math skills as they pertain to cell culture and biological research work (i.e. determining cell
  densities, cell numbers, calculating media formulations, calculating compound concentrations, making
  dilutions, etc.).
• Flexibility and a willingness to work as a member of a small team is key. Commit and contribute to a high functioning team of enthusiastic, collaborative, supportive individuals.
• General Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Technical Computer Software literacy, including GraphPad Prism, Softmax, and Flow Cytometry based applications (CellQuest, FACSDiva, and FlowJo) desired but not required.
• Flexibility to work occasionally on weekends or long hours as needed.
• Experience working in a startup environment a plus.
• Experience working for a CRO or Biopharmaceutical company a plus.
• Local candidates only; no relocation provided.