Associate Scientist, Assay Development (Proteins & Biophysics)
Job Description
Associate Scientist, Assay Development (Proteins & Biophysics)
IRIS Kinetics – Boston, MA (On-site)
About IRIS Kinetics
At IRIS Kinetics, we are pioneering next-generation label-free biosensing platforms to transform diagnostics and life sciences. Our technology enables ultra-sensitive, real-time detection of biomolecular interactions, powering both research and clinical applications. We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to join our growing R&D team and help drive assay development for proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, and small molecules.
Responsibilities
As an Associate Scientist, you will play a key role bridging senior scientists and junior research associates, contributing to assay development while supporting day-to-day lab operations. You will:
- Design, execute, and analyze experiments for protein, antibody, nucleic acid, and small-molecule interactions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate surface functionalization and immobilization chemistries for biosensor applications.
- Optimize and characterize materials and surface chemistries to enhance sensor performance and reproducibility.
- Independently perform common wet lab techniques (pipetting, aliquoting, titration, pH measurements, reagent prep) and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
- Develop and optimize immunoassays, including ELISA, for sensitivity and reproducibility.
- Apply biophysical methods such as BLI (Bio-Layer Interferometry) or SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) for kinetic characterization of biomolecular interactions.
- Support development of assays tailored to the IRIS platform and contribute to validation studies.
- Train and mentor Research Associates on lab techniques, experimental design, and best practices.
- Maintain accurate and thorough documentation of experimental protocols, results, and analysis.
- Contribute to lab organization, workflow efficiency, and maintaining a collaborative team environment.
- Stay informed about emerging scientific trends and technologies to integrate novel approaches into research activities.
- Adhere to laboratory safety standards and contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Qualifications
Required
- B.S. or M.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
- 3–5 years of hands-on industry experience in an assay development, protein science, or biophysics-focused lab.
- Strong proficiency in wet lab techniques (pipetting, buffer prep, titrations, pH measurement, instrument handling).
- Demonstrated expertise in protein/antibody handling and immunoassay development (ELISA or similar).
- Solid understanding of biomolecular interaction kinetics (binding affinity, on/off rates, etc.).
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating in a team.
Preferred
- Experience with BLI (ex. Octet), SPR (ex. Biacore), or other label-free kinetic analysis platforms.
- Familiarity with antibody engineering, conjugation, or small-molecule binding studies.
- Prior mentoring or training of junior scientists.
- Excellent problem-solving, organization, and communication skills.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to join a fast-growing startup developing breakthrough diagnostics technology.
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment with room for growth into Scientist roles.
- Competitive salary and benefits.