Research Associate II - Optical Pooled Screening and Rare Disease Drug Discovery

Position Title: Research Associate II

Laboratory: Neal Laboratory

Center: Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease, Broad Institute

Project: Project Encore (funded by an NIH Director's Transformative Research Award | neallab.org/encore)

This is a hands-on laboratory position emphasizing careful experimental work, reproducibility, and teamwork. You will take responsibility for the day-to-day execution of screening workflows, from cell preparation and compound treatment through staining, sequencing, and imaging. You will also help improve assays and carry out molecular biology and follow-up experiments, working closely with postdoctoral researchers and other members of the experimental and computational team. We are looking for someone who enjoys learning new techniques, solving practical experimental problems, and generating reliable data that enable scientific discovery.

• Maintain and prepare cell models: Culture, expand, and maintain mammalian cell lines used in screening experiments. Prepare cells for assays, monitor cell health, perform lentiviral transduction, and help generate cells carrying barcoded variant libraries.
• Carry out optical pooled screens: Perform compound treatments, multiplexed immunostaining, in situ barcode sequencing, and automated fluorescence imaging. Coordinate multistep workflows across screening plates, following established protocols and working with the team to refine them.
• Ensure data quality and reproducibility: Evaluate cell preparation, staining, and image quality; identify and communicate experimental problems; and work with computational colleagues to assess screening performance. Maintain accurate records of plate layouts, sample identities, reagent batches, experimental conditions, and protocol changes.
• Perform molecular biology and follow-up experiments: Carry out molecular cloning, DNA preparation, and sequencing-based library quality control. Perform secondary dose-response assays and other cell-based experiments to evaluate promising compound-variant interactions.
• Troubleshoot and communicate results: Help identify sources of experimental variability, test protocol improvements, and document optimized methods. Summarize results and observations for team discussions, and contribute experimental data and methods to scientific publications.
• Support shared laboratory work: Prepare reagents, maintain organized cell and sample inventories, track supplies, and assist where needed. Contribute to a safe, organized, and collaborative laboratory environment.

• A bachelor's degree in biology, molecular or cell biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on laboratory research experience, including mammalian cell culture and basic molecular biology. Relevant experience may come from undergraduate research, internships, or employment in an academic or industry laboratory.
• Careful experimental technique, strong attention to detail, and the ability to follow multistep protocols, maintain accurate records, and organize work across multiple experiments.
• Clear written and verbal communication, a collaborative approach to research, and a willingness to learn and troubleshoot new methods. Ability to work independently after training and seek guidance when needed.

Experience in any of the following areas would be valuable; prior experience with optical pooled screening is not required:

• Mammalian cell culture.
• Fluorescence microscopy, immunostaining, or automated imaging.
• Compound screening, plate-based assays, or liquid-handling equipment.
• Lentiviral transduction, cell line engineering, molecular cloning, or barcoded genetic libraries.
• In situ sequencing, multiplexed labeling, or other imaging-based molecular assays.
• Basic quantitative image analysis or data analysis using tools such as Fiji, CellProfiler, Python, or R (programming experience is not required).

The Neal Laboratory emphasizes collaborative research, mentorship, and career development. Training will be provided in project-specific screening, staining, imaging, and in situ sequencing workflows, as well as in biosafety procedures for lentiviral work (BSL-2+). The research associate will work closely with experienced researchers, participate in scientific discussions, and develop skills in experimental design, troubleshooting, data interpretation, and scientific communication. As proficiency grows, there will be opportunities to take greater ownership of experimental workflows and contribute to assay development and follow-up studies, with opportunities for authorship on resulting publications.

Many research associates go on to graduate or medical school, and we actively support those goals, including mentorship on applications.

• Start Date: Flexible; as early as possible
• Expected Commitment: Two years preferred
• Location: On-site, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
• Salary: Depending on experience

Please submit a resume or CV, contact information for two or three references (including at least one research mentor), and a brief cover letter. In your cover letter, tell us why this position interests you, describe your relevant laboratory experience and your specific contributions to previous research projects, and share what you hope to learn or do next. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.