Research Assistant/Associate I

Programmable Medicine, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redwood City, is seeking a Research Associate / Lab Manager for the Chemistry Department. Programmable Medicine is focused on developing novel nanomedicines, HD therapeutics (HDTs), to treat unmet medical needs in ophthalmology, neurology, inflammatory diseases, and neuro-oncology. Our HD platform builds therapeutics that are selectively taken up only by inflamed tissues, allowing us to treat diseases with unprecedented precision.

We are seeking an individual who is motivated to learn and has a basic understanding and familiarity with laboratory equipment and processes.  The responsibilities of this position include performing standard chemical reactions and analysis, helping to purchase/maintain laboratory supplies/inventories, equipment maintenance, and ensuring compliance with laboratory safety and compliance. 

To thrive in this role, a person should enjoy a small company environment where you will work on a variety of tasks, from playing a hands on role in the lab to maintaining inventories and managing laboratory supplies.  Individuals who are ambitious and demonstrate a willingness to learn will have the opportunity to develop as a researcher and a contributor to our scientific efforts over time.  This person should be proactive in finding ways to streamline laboratory function and enable the team to achieve higher productivity.  A person who is driven by enhancing productivity through daily efforts to streamline processes will be highly appreciated!

Duties and Responsibilities - Essential Functions

• Perform basic chemical synthesis and analysis – Work with the chemistry team to learn our platform and contribute to a novel approach for developing therapeutics
• Instrument maintenance and development – work with vendors and technicians to install, enhance, maintain, and learn new techniques on current and future equipment
• Assist Scientists with compound management – Consolidate, standardize, dispense, track, store
• Coordinate the purchase of routine chemical and consumables in support of the laboratory operations, organize laboratory materials to ensure all staff are able to find what they need
• Work with our safety consultant to ensure laboratory compliance and proper waste management.
• Other tasks may include light management of chemistry group software licenses, organizing the stockroom, and other roles as needed.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in a related scientific discipline (preferable chemistry) with  0-2 years of relevant experience.  New college graduates must have completed at least one internship playing a hands-on role in a laboratory or part-time work, during undergraduate degree, working in a laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated experience and a passion for organizing and maintaining a lab
• Solid presentation, writing, and communication skills along with problem solving and mathematical skills
• Forward-thinking and creative with high ethical standards and a strong work ethic
• Strategic thinker with good judgment and strong operational focus
• Well organized and self-directed
• Must be able to work on-site five full days per week at our Redwood City Laboratory 5 days per week

What We Can Offer You

This is a unique opportunity to join a team focused on the development of a new class of precision medicines that selectively treat diseased cells in regions of inflammation. By making precision medicine even more precise, our nanomedicine technology has the potential to change the standard of care across ophthalmology, neurology, inflammatory diseases and neuro-oncology. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the cutting-edge technology.

We have a comprehensive total compensation package including fully paid medical, dental and vision benefits for you and your family. We want all of our employees to have the opportunity to become shareholders and offer new hire stock options. The Company also offers participation in the annual bonus program. The base salary for this position is $65,000 – $80,000 per year.  We consider various factors when determining the base compensation, including market survey data, experience, qualifications, and geographic location, which means that the actual compensation may vary.