Senior Research Associate

Why join Freenome?

Freenome is a high-growth biotech company developing tests to detect cancer using a standard blood draw. To do this, Freenome uses a multiomics platform that combines tumor and non-tumor signals with machine learning to find cancer in its earliest, most-treatable stages. 

Cancer is relentless. This is why Freenome is building the clinical, economic, and operational evidence to drive cancer screening and save lives. Our first screening test is for colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas, and it’s just the beginning. 

Founded in 2014, Freenome has ~500 employees and more than $1.1B in funding from key investors, such as the American Cancer Society, Andreessen Horowitz, Anthem Blue Cross, Bain Capital, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, DCVC, Fidelity, Google Ventures, Kaiser Permanente, Novartis, Perceptive Advisors, RA Capital, Roche, Sands Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Verily.  

At Freenome, we aim to impact patients by empowering everyone to prevent, detect, and treat their disease. This, together with our high-performing culture of respect and cross-collaboration, is what motivates us to make every day count. 

Become a Freenomer

Do you have what it takes to be a Freenomer? A “Freenomer” is a determined, mission-driven, results-oriented employee fueled by the opportunity to change the landscape of cancer and make a positive impact on patients’ lives. Freenomers bring their diverse experience, expertise, and personal perspective to solve problems and push to achieve what’s possible, one breakthrough at a time.

About this opportunity:

At Freenome, our goal is to improve patient outcomes by pioneering the next-generation of blood tests for early and accurate disease detection using our combined multiomics and machine learning platform. As a Senior Research Associate, Immunoassay and Molecular Biology, you will participate in the development of an analytical framework to evaluate sample stabilization technologies and contribute to our mission of early detection and intervention in human diseases. 

In this role, you will contribute to the design and execution of experiments aimed at characterizing and improving analyte stability in a variety of blood fractions to facilitate cancer biomarker discovery and development. You will work closely with other R&D groups to establish appropriate analytical methods and deliver high-quality data and analyses toward the optimization of sample stabilization workflow and the improvement of the pre-analytical process.

What you’ll do:

• Contribute to the development and optimization of in-house and kit-based assays for characterizing the stability of proteins, nucleic acids and cells in blood samples
• Collaborate with proteomics and genomics teams to conduct immunoassays and molecular biology assays for protein, DNA and RNA profiling of various blood fractions
• Assist with the design and execution of experiments to evaluate the impact of sample storage, processing, and shipping conditions on analyte stability and assay performance
• Perform the isolation, purification, characterization of blood components, including plasma, PBMCs, platelets and erythrocytes
• Maintain cell culture systems and assist with the generation of research-grade reference materials
• Participate in experimental design and troubleshooting efforts, helping develop efficient experimental plans
• Take detailed notes, gather high-quality data, and openly communicate on lessons learned while performing experiments

Must haves:

• Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of experience in immunoassay, molecular biology, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related field
• Prior experience working with human blood samples and its fractions, including  plasma, serum, PBMCs and/or platelets
• A minimum of two years of laboratory experience with ELISA, Luminex, MSD or other immunoassays
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry and proficiency in data analysis tools, e.g., Flowjo and FCS Express
• Practical knowledge and understanding of molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR
• Prior experience in mammalian cell culture with demonstrated ability to independently handle multiple cell lines using good aseptic technique
• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented
• Proven ability to independently plan and execute, troubleshoot experiments, analyze and interpret data, as well as give effective scientific presentations in team meetings
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, and proven ability to work with team members in the same and adjacent disciplines

Nice to haves:

• Baseline knowledge of blood