Senior Research Associate

We will offer a referral bonus of up to $3,500 for this position; see here for more details.

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  • Project/division: Nucleic Acid Observatory
  • Start date: as soon as possible
  • Status: full-time SecureBio employee
  • Starting compensation: $90,000 to $100,000, depending on experience
  • Visa sponsorship available: No
  • Work location: In-person in Boston, MA
  • Application deadline: Sunday, February 8th

The role

SecureBio is building a metagenomics-based pathogen-agnostic early warning system to protect the world from catastrophic pandemics. As advances in biotechnology lower the barriers to engineering pathogens, our mission is to ensure humanity is prepared. We develop systems to identify stealth pathogens and novel biological threats early enough to mount an effective response, including threats that spread without obvious symptoms.

The Senior Research Associate will help us achieve this mission by executing and improving laboratory workflows to support metagenomic sequencing across diverse sample types (e.g., swabs, wastewater, biosurveillance samples). This role works both collaboratively with the laboratory team and program leads, and with substantial autonomy. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career and develop new skills with an exceptional, mission-driven team in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Execution & Workflow Ownership

  • Execute end-to-end metagenomic sequencing workflows with support and training from scientists, including DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and QC.

  • Prepare short- and long-read sequencing libraries (e.g., Illumina, Oxford Nanopore).

  • Rigorously document work in SecureBio’s electronic laboratory notebook.

Troubleshooting, SOPs, and Sample Management

  • Troubleshoot workflow issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

  • Contribute to SOP development and versioning.

  • Support controlled sample management and development of inventory management systems.

Scaling, Operations, and Data Handoffs

  • Support scalable, production-minded workflow design (batching, standardized handoffs, controls) aligned with downstream computational pipelines.

  • Maintain accurate metadata and sample tracking, resolving discrepancies that impact analysis.

  • Support routine operational needs, including inventory readiness, reagent tracking, and vendor coordination.

Communication & Knowledge Sharing

  • Provide clear status updates, surface risks early, and ensure reliable handoffs to sequencing and analysis teams.

  • Communicate results and risks clearly across programs, laboratory and computational teams.

  • Contribute to internal updates and, as appropriate, external-facing materials (e.g., reports or presentations).

Competencies and qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of relevant laboratory experience, or Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience. This experience can be in an academic lab.

  • Hands-on experience with parts of short- and/or long-read sequencing workflows and QC.

  • Hands-on experience working with RNA.

  • Proven ability to follow laboratory protocols, troubleshoot, implement improvements, and capture rigorous notes in an electronic laboratory notebook.

  • Ability to work autonomously while collaborating and communicating clearly across teams.

Preferred

  • Experience working with viruses.

  • Experience with liquid handling automation and high-throughput laboratory environments.

  • Familiarity with sample tracking systems and metadata capture systems.

  • Experience with environmental or complex samples (e.g., wastewater, nasal swabs).

  • Working knowledge of metagenomic or pathogen surveillance applications.

  • Exposure to downstream computational or bioinformatics workflows.

Salary and benefits

This is a full-time, in-person role, reporting to the Nucleic Acid Observatory's Head of Laboratory Science in our Boston, Massachusetts lab space. The starting salary range is $90,000 to $100,000 per annum, depending on prior experience. There may be flexibility in salary for exceptional candidates with significant relevant experience.

Our employee benefits reflect our belief in investing to build the strongest possible team, in which everyone receives the trust and support they need to excel. Our benefits package includes:

  • Comprehensive healthcare

    Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including health, dental & vision insurance, as well as a yearly mental health allowance for every employee.

  • Flexible work schedule

    Flexible work hours; unlimited paid time off (PTO) for all employees; and minimum 12 weeks fully-paid parental leave.

  • Development opportunities

    Generous professional development opportunities, including fully-paid conference sponsorships and a yearly development allowance for every employee.

  • 401(k)

    Employer 401(k) match up to 4% of total salary.

Application process

We will review applications on a rolling basis, and are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.

After considering your written application, we may invite you to a short initial work test or screening interview. High-performing candidates may be invited to further interviews, followed by an in-person work trial. We will also require two to three reference checks. 

We’re committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, and we encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We especially encourage applications from women, gender minorities, and people of color who are excited about contributing to our mission. We’re an equal opportunity employer.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, or have any other questions about applying, please contact careers@securebio.org.

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Referral bonus

We offer a referral bonus of up to $3,500 to individuals who refer successful candidates for this position:

  • If you refer a candidate that we invite to a long interview, you will receive $75;
  • If you refer a candidate that we invite to an in-person work trial, you will receive a further $375, for a total of $450;
  • If the candidate accepts a job offer from us, you will receive a further $1,250, for a total of $1,700;
  • If the candidate is still working with us after three months, you will receive a further $1,800, for a total of $3,500.

To receive these bonuses, we must reasonably believe that you were responsible for referring the candidate to us (e.g. due to you introducing them to us when we didn’t previously know them, or them mentioning you on their application as the reason they heard about the position).