Senior Research Associate, Platform/R&D

Role summary

Senior Research Associate, Platform/R&D is a role at Azalea Therapeutics, Inc. in Berkeley, California, United States (on-site). Posted 2026-08-07. Experience level: 2-5.

Job title

Senior Research Associate, Platform/R&D

Company

Azalea Therapeutics, Inc.

Location

Berkeley, California, United States

Work arrangement

on-site

Category

Software Engineering

Experience level

2-5

Date posted

2026-08-07

Job description

Job Title: Senior Research Associate

Department: Platform/R&D

Reports to: Scientist II

Location: Onsite 5 days per week in Berkeley, CA

Employment Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bonus/Equity: Eligible

About Azalea

Azalea Therapeutics is enabling precision genome engineering directly inside the body, with an initial focus on creating cancer immunotherapies in vivo . Azalea is pioneering a new way to turn a person’s own T cells into a powerful cancer therapy — directly inside the body. Instead of removing cells and manipulating them in a lab, we use precision genome editing tools to engineer T cells where they already live. At the center of our approach are Enveloped Delivery Vehicles, or EDVs. As highly selective couriers, EDVs are designed to specifically locate T cells within the patient and deliver our genome engineering cargo. Once inside the cell, the anti-cancer agent is inserted into a precise site in the genome, ensuring safe and potent modifications to fortify the T cells against cancers.

Why this matters:

We aim to make cell therapy faster and more accessible by avoiding complex manufacturing outside the body.

Our platform is designed for precision, so the right cells are safely programmed to effectively fight cancer.

This technology has the potential to treat a wide range of cancers with a streamlined, scalable process.

Our goal is simple: develop next-generation delivery technologies to bring genetic engineering and cell therapies to more patients.

How We Work

Azalea is building ambitious science in a fast-moving environment. The people who thrive here are accountable, adaptable, rigorous, humble, and direct. Across roles and functions, we look for team members who demonstrate the following:

Outcome Ownership - We own results, close loops, and follow through without needing to be prompted. We take responsibility for moving work forward and making sure important decisions, deliverables, and handoffs do not fall through the cracks.

Comfort with Ambiguity - We operate in an early-stage environment where information may be incomplete and priorities may evolve. We clarify quickly, make thoughtful decisions with the information available, and adapt without unnecessary drama.

High Standards, Low Ego - We care deeply about the quality of the work and the impact it can have for patients. We raise the bar while staying humble, direct, and open to feedback.

Collaboration and Candor - We share context early, communicate clearly, partner across functions, and operate with transparency. We believe strong collaboration requires both trust and direct communication.

The Opportunity

Azalea Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate – Platform/R&D to join our dynamic and growing team. Reporting to a Scientist II, the Senior Research Associate will support a range of molecular biology and analytical workflows, with an emphasis on PCR-based assays, ddPCR, routine cloning, NGS-adjacent analysis, and cell-based assays. The Senior Research Associate will contribute to research-grade analytics, enable faster sample turnaround, and build redundancy across important lab capabilities.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized and technically strong molecular biologist who enjoys owning experiments from execution through data analysis. This Senior Research Associate should be comfortable working independently, proactively troubleshooting technical challenges, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality data. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced startup environment, demonstrates a strong sense of ownership, and is excited to support a broad range of research, development, and analytical activities. This is an onsite role with expectations to be onsite, in our Berkeley office, 5 days per week.

Key Responsibilities

Independently execute molecular biology assays, including PCR-based workflows, PCR cleanups, ddPCR, routine cloning, and related sample preparation.

Run and adapt existing software/pipelines to analyze and plot NGS data.

Perform routine cloning workflows, including Gibson assembly, Golden Gate assembly, restriction enzyme cloning, and plasmid preparation.

Perform routine cell culture and lentiviral vector production.

Process samples derived from cell- and tissue-based workflows.

Generate, organize, and communicate high-quality assay data to internal R&D teams.

Work cross-functionally with research and analytics team members to prioritize samples, troubleshoot workflows, and ensure timely data generation.

Maintain clear experimental records, follow established SOPs, and contribute to continuous improvement of lab processes.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related life sciences discipline.

3+ years of hands-on laboratory research experience in academia or industry with demonstrated expertise in molecular biology techniques.

Strong experience independently executing PCR-based workflows, including PCR, PCR cleanup, qPCR/ddPCR, nucleic acid quantification and sample preparation.

Experience performing routine molecular cloning, including Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate Assembly, restriction enzyme cloning, plasmid construction, transformation, and midi/maxi plasmid preparations.

Experience supporting NGS-related laboratory workflows and analyzing sequencing data using established software tools or analysis pipelines.

Familiarity with basic bioinformatics tools and scripting environments (e.g. biopython e.g., Biopython, Python, R, or similar) and foundational genomics concept