Research Associate

Parallel Squared Technology Institute (PTI) is a non-profit research institute aiming to  catalyze a leap in protein analysis technology and use it to explore new biological frontiers. PTI supports open research and educational opportunities supporting rapid career development for scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
Why? Protein dysfunctions directly cause many diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, proteins remain understudied because of technological hurdles.
How? To resolve these limitations, PTI will develop mass tags enabling a new framework for multiplexed protein analysis by mass spectrometry towards achieving 100-fold increase in throughput. Scientists at and collaborating with the institute will use these gains to directly investigate disease mechanisms and resolve problems that have proven intractable for decades. Our proof of principle technology and strategies are outlined at: parallelsq.org.
PTI’s new approach requires synergy between a diverse team of chemists, machine learning engineers, biologists and mass spectrometrists. Alzheimer’s disease and aging will be among the first focuses of this technology-driven research organization.
New career opportunitiesMembers of PTI will be supported with industry-level resources to lead research projects and disseminate their discoveries and innovations to the broader biomedical community through frequent publications, presentations, and submissions to public data portals. 

Responsibilities

• You will learn how to set up, operate and maintain mass spectrometers from multiple major vendors.
• Protein sample preparation.
• Inventory management for reagents and samples.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results for internal and public presentation.
• Preparation of lab reagents and media.
• Communication with purchasing and may be responsible for negotiating with various vendors.
• Obtain and manage MTAs, software licenses, service contracts, and other documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Basic proficiency with molecular & cellular biology techniques or chemistry techniques.  
• Demonstrated enthusiasm & interest in biology and/or chemistry.
• High level of initiative and flexibility, excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Good time management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with organic synthesis and chromatography.
• Familiarity with cell culture and sterile technique.

Who Will Love This Job

• You are passionate about science and technology and are eager to work in a team environment.
• You love learning new techniques, new technologies, and new concepts.
• You want an environment that will support your future plans as a scientist or engineer.
• You are committed to open science ideas and want to see your work disseminated broadly.

We Offer

• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan; parental leave.
• Generous time off + paid holidays.
• Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities.

We aim to help fill a structural gap in today's R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D. As an incubator within the Schmidt Futures Network, we identify high-impact scientific or technical research and development opportunities, ultimately defining and launching these projects as Focused Research Organizations. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law or company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.