Senior Research Associate
About the Company:
Quiver Bioscience is a neuroscience-focused drug discovery company based in Cambridge, MA. Quiver is decoding neuron function to unlock breakthrough CNS therapeutics. We have created an industry-leading AI-powered drug discovery platform that pairs its unique all-optical electrophysiology (Optopatch) technology with human cellular models and AI to find drugs by studying how the complex electrical activity of human neurons is altered in disease and how it is normalized by candidate molecules, identifying assets with better efficacy, lower toxicity, and greater translational potential. To further enhance the power and precision of this platform, Quiver is generating large-scale, multimodal perturbation datasets across thousands of genes and compounds. These datasets systematically map how neuronal excitability and synaptic activity are modulated by genetic and pharmacological interventions. By pairing this deep functional data with AI/ML, Quiver is uncovering previously unrecognized biological relationships and unlocking a new era of drug discovery in the CNS.
Learn more at: www.quiverbioscience.com
Summary of Position:
Quiver is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate to join our Biology Group for a six month contract. This position will support and execute Quiver’s cutting-edge neuronal production and characterization by working closely with Quiver’s scientific and management team to perform studies in a high quality and scientifically rigorous fashion.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Execute and troubleshoot production and QC of neuronal cultures for Quiver’s multiple customer-based and internal R&D projects.
- Maintain and characterize multiple human iPS cell lines.
- Use transcriptional programming and directed differentiation strategies to produce various types of high-quality human iPS cell-derived neurons, including excitatory, inhibitory, sensory and motor neurons.
- Plate and maintain cultures of human iPS cell-derived neurons in 96-well and 384-well assay formats.
- Carry out RNA and DNA preparations from human cell lines and cultured neurons.
- Perform candidate gene expression analysis using quantitative PCR assays.
- Assess protein expression using immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunoblotting assays.
- Assist with cell culture lab operations, including inventory, purchasing of lab reagents and supplies, and aliquoting of recombinant protein and lentiviral particle stocks.
- Communicate work progress via technical reports, PowerPoint presentations, and seminars at internal meetings.
Minimum Qualifications Required:
- A Master’s degree in biology, cell biology, biotechnology or a related field.
- Required - Two years of experience with mammalian cell culture with iPS cell-derived neurons and with DNA/RNA/Protein preparations and readout assays (PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting, and ICC).
- Ability to work independently and in cross-disciplinary teams.
- Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Additional Qualifications Desired:
- Experience with methods for human iPS cell differentiation into neurons is a plus.
- Experience with 96/384-well cultures and high-throughput screening is a plus.
- Experience with neuronal preparations from rodent CNS tissues is a plus.