Senior Research Associate

Job Description

This Research Associate role focuses on hands-on work with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to support stem cell and disease modeling initiatives. You will maintain, culture, and characterize human iPSC lines while contributing to process development and, where applicable, bioreactor-based scale-up activities. This position offers significant laboratory exposure to advanced cell-based assays, flow cytometry, and qPCR in a highly collaborative research environment that values scientific curiosity and continuous learning.

This role is 100% onsite and offers either a Thursday-Monday or Friday-Tuesday schedule. The position is 40 hours per week. If there is less work on the weekends, employees may make up those hours during the week to maintain a guaranteed 40-hour work schedule.

• Maintain, culture, and expand human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines using robust aseptic techniques.
• Characterize iPSC lines using cell characterization methods such as flow cytometry and qPCR to assess quality, identity, and phenotype.
• Perform routine mammalian cell culture, with a strong emphasis on human stem cell culture, to support ongoing research programs.
• Execute and support cell-based assays to evaluate cell function, differentiation status, and experimental outcomes.
• Apply sterile processing practices to ensure contamination-free cell culture workflows and maintain high laboratory standards.
• Support stem cell and disease modeling initiatives by preparing, analyzing, and documenting experimental data.
• Contribute to process development activities for stem cell culture, including optimization of media, culture conditions, and workflow efficiency.
• Assist with bioreactor-based workflows and scale-up activities for iPSC culture and differentiation, as needed.
• Participate in the differentiation of iPSCs into downstream cell types according to project requirements and protocols.
• Support translational research or therapeutic development programs by executing experiments aligned with project objectives.
• Follow and promote GMP-like laboratory practices to maintain compliance with internal quality standards.
• Collaborate closely with other scientists and research staff, sharing results, troubleshooting issues, and refining experimental approaches.
• Take ownership of assigned projects and experiments, ensuring accurate documentation, data integrity, and timely communication of findings.
• Contribute ideas for process improvements, experimental design, and new methodologies within the research group.

• Direct, hands-on experience maintaining and culturing human iPSC cell lines in a research setting.
• Strong mammalian cell culture skills, with specific expertise in stem cell culture.
• Proficiency with cell characterization techniques, including flow cytometry.
• Proficiency with qPCR for gene expression or characterization assays.
• Demonstrated aseptic technique and sterile processing experience in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to perform and support cell-based assays related to stem cell and disease modeling.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment and communicate results clearly.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow complex experimental protocols and documentation requirements.

• Experience with process development (PD) related to stem cell or iPSC culture.
• Bioreactor operation or scale-up experience, preferably involving stem cells or iPSCs.
• Experience differentiating iPSCs into downstream cell types.
• Experience supporting translational research or therapeutic development programs.
• Knowledge of GMP-like laboratory practices and quality-focused workflows.
• Experience in research and development (R&D) environments.
• Interest in contributing to process improvements, new methodologies, and innovative experimental approaches.
• Motivation to work with cutting-edge human iPSC technology and advanced cell-based applications.

This role is 100% onsite in a laboratory-based research setting. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week, with the option to work either a Thursday-Monday or Friday-Tuesday schedule. If weekend workload is lighter, employees may make up hours during the week to maintain a guaranteed 40-hour schedule.

You will work with human iPSC cultures, bioreactors, and process development workflows in a highly collaborative and supportive research team. The environment emphasizes scientific curiosity, continuous learning, and professional development, offering high levels of ownership and visibility within the research group, as well as exposure to bioreactor-based stem cell manufacturing technologies and advanced analytical techniques such as flow cytometry and qPCR.

This is a Contract position based out of Cambridge, MA.

The pay range for this position is $79.00 - $105.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Cambridge,MA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.