Research Associate / Senior Research Associate (Contract) at Abata Therapeutics

South San Francisco, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Junior (1 to 2 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Biotechnology, Genomics, Drug DiscoveryIndustries

Requirements

B.S./M.S. in Molecular Biology, Genomics, Biotechnology, or a related field with 2+ years of laboratory experience, including direct experience in NGS workflows
Proficient in Illumina sequencing library preparation methods for DNA and RNA, with a strong understanding of underlying biochemistry and assay design
Hands-on experience with Illumina sequencer operation and troubleshooting
Familiarity with single-cell workflows (e.g., 10x Genomics GEM-X) and/or 10x Genomics Flex assays is strongly preferred
Experience with quality control methods for nucleic acids and libraries (e.g., fragment analysis, fluorometric quantification, library quantification)
Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail in both benchwork and data documentation
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, supporting multiple projects and stakeholders
Knowledge of high-throughput or automated NGS library prep platforms is a plus
Familiarity with cloud-based LIMS or data tracking systems (e.g., Benchling, BaseSpace) is a plus
Basic knowledge of NGS data analysis (e.g., demultiplexing, QC metrics interpretation, familiarity with sequencing file formats) is a plus

Responsibilities

Prepare high-quality sequencing libraries for Illumina platforms using a range of methods (e.g., TruSeq, Nextera, Amplicon, etc.)
Operate and maintain Illumina sequencers (e.g., MiSeq, NextSeq, NovaSeq), including run setup, monitoring, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance
Support and execute single-cell workflows, including 10x Genomics GEM-X and 10x Flex assays
Perform QC of input material and libraries (e.g., Bioanalyzer, TapeStation, Qubit, qPCR) and assess data quality post-sequencing
Collaborate with internal teams to support project-specific NGS needs
Develop and optimize NGS protocols and contribute to the scaling of automated or high throughput sequencing pipelines
Maintain detailed electronic lab notebook (ELN) records and ensure rigorous documentation for reproducibility and compliance
Participate in group meetings and communicate experimental progress, challenges, and insights to broader teams
Running analysis pipelines (e.g., bcl2fastq, CellRanger, etc.)

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

IlluminaNGSLibrary PreparationTruSeqNexteraMiSeqNextSeqNovaSeq10x GenomicsGEM-X10x FlexBioanalyzerTapeStationQubitqPCR

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What qualifications are required for the Research Associate / Senior Research Associate role?

Candidates need a B.S./M.S. in Molecular Biology, Genomics, Biotechnology, or a related field with 2+ years of laboratory experience, including direct experience in NGS workflows, proficiency in Illumina sequencing library preparation for DNA and RNA, hands-on experience with Illumina sequencer operation and troubleshooting, and familiarity with single-cell workflows like 10x Genomics GEM-X.

Is this a remote position or does it require on-site work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What teams will I work with in this role?

You will work closely with molecular biologists, computational scientists, and platform teams to generate high-quality sequencing data and support project-specific NGS needs.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

A strong candidate is highly motivated, detail-oriented, with hands-on experience in Illumina-based sequencing technologies including library preparation, single-cell workflows, and sequencer operation, plus the ability to collaborate across teams and maintain rigorous documentation.

Abata Therapeutics

Develops therapies for autoimmune diseases

About Abata Therapeutics

Abata Therapeutics develops therapies for autoimmune diseases, focusing on type 1 diabetes. Their main product, ABA 201, is a Treg cell therapy aimed at patients with some remaining beta cell function. This therapy works by utilizing regulatory T cells to improve patient outcomes. Unlike many competitors, Abata targets a specific niche within the autoimmune disease market and collaborates with partners like ElevateBio for process development and manufacturing. The company's goal is to transform treatment options for autoimmune diseases through advanced research and development.

Cambridge, MassachusettsHeadquarters

2021Year Founded

$184.8MTotal Funding

EARLY_VCCompany Stage

BiotechnologyIndustries

11-50Employees

Risks

Intensifying competition from companies like Sangamo Therapeutics may impact Abata's market share.

Stringent FDA scrutiny on manufacturing could delay Abata's clinical trials.

Rising clinical trial costs pose financial risks to Abata's pipeline progression.

Differentiation

Abata focuses on Treg cell therapies for autoimmune diseases like MS and diabetes.

Their lead product, ABA 201, targets type 1 diabetes with remaining beta cell function.

Abata's strategic partnership with ElevateBio enhances their manufacturing capabilities.

Upsides

Recent investment from Bristol Myers Squibb boosts Abata's Treg therapy pipeline development.

FDA's accelerated approval pathways may expedite Abata's clinical trials.

Growing autoimmune disease prevalence increases demand for Abata's innovative treatments.

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