Research Associate, Cell culture and lab operations

Triplebar is on a mission to learn the language of biology using generative AI. We’re building cutting-edge models trained directly on millions of genomes, powered by the largest biological data engine on Earth. Our hyperthroughput platform evolves and screens biology at unprecedented scale, generating the data needed to teach machines how to design cells that can make anything.

We call this Evolutionary Intelligence: a new way to engineer biology, grounded in real data and aimed at solving the toughest problems in industrial biotech. Our first targets: protein production in microbial (Pichia pastoris) and mammalian (CHO) systems. Our goal: compress the timeline for designing an organism to produce any protein from years to seconds.

We’re looking for a driven, detailed-oriented research associate to create the next generation mammalian expression platform for large molecule therapeutics. You’ll bring experience with mammalian cell culture and a passion for a well organized and smoothly run lab to a team that is creating the largest dataset of genotype-phenotype relationships for biologics manufacturing with CHO. With your help we will learn novel cellular processes that dramatically improve the efficiency of biomanufacturing.

This is not just a job. It’s a chance to build something truly new, at the edge of what’s possible. If you want to go fast, dive deep, work hard, and make a dent in the universe, we want to meet you.

The role

As a full-time research associate at Triplebar, you’ll drive our cell culture workflows at various scales, from picoliter-scale microfluidics droplets to liter-scale flasks. You’ll generate high performance clones, create libraries through mutagenesis, and validate clone performance in fed batch processes. In addition you’ll help maintain an organized and efficient lab, helping with lab safety, procurement, and media preparation. Scientific rigor and attention to detail are essential—not only will you be driving your own experiments, you’ll be enabling a team of scientists and engineers to redefine cellular engineering with AI.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role at the cutting edge of biological engineering, perfect for someone who’s ready to be part of building the future.

Your Contributions

• Perform mammalian cell culture tasks including single cell cloning, plate culture and phenotype validation, flask passaging, and fed-batch phenotype testing
• Prepare reagents and media as required by various workflows throughout the company
• Assist in EH&S operations
• Assist with procurement, including purchasing, stocking, and vendor management
• Take initiative to identify new areas for improvement and seek out new responsibilities.
• Own results by making data-driven decisions, presenting results, and documenting findings.
• Work closely with other parts of the org (assay development, ML/bioinformatics) to ensure the work fits into the larger Triplebar platform
• Build company culture and serve as a role model for future hires

About you

• Bachelors degree in a related field with 2+ years of mammalian cell culture experience
• Demonstrated experience in some aspect of lab operations or lab management that demonstrates a high degree of detail orientation and ownership
• Highly-motivated self-starter that identifies issues and is intellectually curious to expand into new fields.
• Willingness to self-evaluate, learn, and expand.
• Enthusiastic about wearing many hats in a young and growing organization.
• Builds and earns trust with coworkers to achieve team goals.
• Based in Santa Monica area, role will be on site

Not required, but exceptional candidates would also have...

• Experience with CHO cell culture for therapeutic large molecule production
• Experience using data analysis scripting language (e.g. Python, R, Matlab)
• Experience with flow cytometry
• Experience with other advanced instrumentation (e.g. microscopy, chromatography, etc)

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position is based in our Los Angeles, CA location.