Research Associate - Vector Core

About Merge Labs

Merge Labs is a frontier research organization focused on connecting biological systems with artificial intelligence to expand human capability, autonomy, and lived experience. Its work centers on developing new brain-computer interface approaches that operate at high bandwidth, work alongside advanced AI, and are intended to be safe and broadly usable.

About the Team

The Delivery team builds both viral and non-viral delivery technologies that support the company’s next-generation neurotechnology platform. Working closely with bioengineering, neuroscience, and in vivo groups, the team develops delivery systems that enable fast preclinical testing while moving the platform toward safe and effective human translation.

The company is also creating an internal AAV vector core to provide dependable, high-quality vector production for program teams. The core emphasizes consistent execution, strong documentation, and ongoing refinement so teams can work quickly without sacrificing reproducibility.

About the Role

Merge Labs is hiring a Research Associate to help launch, run, and improve its AAV vector core. This is a practical production position that calls for excellent mammalian tissue culture ability, a careful eye for detail, and a mindset centered on supporting internal teams. The role involves producing small batches of AAV for preclinical use, carrying out quality-control testing, maintaining complete lot-level records, and coordinating with scientists across programs.

Success in this position means internal teams receive reliable, high-quality vectors on a steady schedule, production and QC data remain accurate and traceable, SOPs are followed and improved, and routine work becomes easier to execute over time. The role is a strong fit for someone who values repeatable execution and process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out weekly AAV production runs, starting with mammalian cell culture and transfection and continuing through harvest, purification, concentration, aliquoting, and sample transfer.
• Run QC testing to evaluate vector titer, purity, genome integrity, and consistency across lots.
• Prepare plasmid DNA and assist with molecular biology work related to AAV constructs and production plasmids.
• Convert vector production requests into clear production plans, schedules, and handoffs.
• Keep complete and accurate records of lots, sample metadata, QC outcomes, deviations, and process data in an ELN.
• Maintain well-organized inventories of plasmids, cells, vector lots, and reagents.
• Work according to SOPs for vector production and help refine those procedures as workflows improve.
• Identify, record, and communicate any departures from expected production or QC results.
• Investigate production problems and contribute to practical improvements in the process.
• As priorities change, support other related viral or non-viral delivery workflows.

Requirements

• A BS, BA, or MS in a scientific, engineering, or closely related discipline.
• Direct experience with mammalian tissue culture and aseptic technique.
• Background in AAV, lentivirus, biologics production, or another biological workflow where reproducibility and sample tracking matter.
• Practical molecular biology experience, including tasks such as plasmid prep, cloning, PCR, and sequence confirmation.
• Experience performing analytical or QC assays such as qPCR, SDS-PAGE, sequencing-based QC, ddPCR, or similar methods.
• Strong documentation practices and experience managing sample, lot, or process records in an ELN, LIMS, or similar structured tracking system.
• Experience working from SOPs, spotting deviations, and escalating issues early.
• Good organizational skills for handling multiple samples, assays, requests, and deadlines.
• A collaborative, service-focused approach and a desire to make recurring workflows more dependable and efficient.
• Hands-on exposure to automation workflows, either building them or working with them.
• Interest in contributing to a fast-moving environment addressing frontier scientific and technical problems.

Additional Information

Applicants who are excited about the opportunity but do not meet every qualification are still encouraged to apply. The organization is building a team with complementary strengths.

Merge Labs is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family status, ancestry, citizenship, U.S. military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Hiring decisions are based on job-related factors.

In line with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities; requests may be submitted by emailing [email protected].

Compensation range: $95K to $120K.