prolific-machines

Research Associate I, Analytical Chemistry

Emeryville, California
Full-time
Posted Nov 2, 2026

Skills

Communication
Troubleshooting

Job description

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our first-of-its-kind optogenetic platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology enables dynamic, tunable control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, and reproducibility advantages across the most complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV.

We are seeking a skilled Research Associate to join our Cell Line Development team, contributing technically and scientifically to the advancement of multiple projects while bringing innovation and new perspectives to our workflows. This role will be based on-site in Emeryville, CA and will report to a Principal Scientist of the Cell Line Development department.

Responsibilities:

•Plan, execute, and interpret experimentation to characterize protein expression and biotherapeutic quality.

•Execute analytical assays to support biologics characterization and development activities, including routine and complex therapeutic protein characterizations.

•Routinely operate, maintain, and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation (HPLCs, FPLCs, CE/cIEF).

•Support method development, optimization, qualification, validation, and troubleshooting activities.

•Document experimental procedures, data, and results in high-quality laboratory notebooks in accordance with SOPs and internal standards.

•Coordinate and communicate with stakeholders of multiple experiments.

About You:

A successful candidate for this role will:

•Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or closely related field, with between 0-2 years of industry experience. Candidates without a degree but with similar industry experience are encouraged to apply. Additional industry experience is required at the Research Associate II level.

•Demonstrated experience operating HPLC/UPLC systems for protein therapeutic analysis and interpreting chromatographic data.

•Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting HPLC/UPLC instrumentation, ideally Agilent systems with OpenLab CDS.

•Excited to work with internal and external clients to deliver project excellence.

•Have strong communication skills and comfortable sharing knowledge at multiple levels of technical detail.

•Experience supporting analytical development activities for biologics is strongly preferred.

Benefits: Generous equity package in an early stage company, retirement plan with company contribution, flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums, company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, career coaching, mental health support, free team lunches everyday, great snacks, and companywide social events!

Diversity: Prolific Machines values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can bring their authentic selves to work and have equal opportunities to succeed. Prolific Machines is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)