Job Description

Job Title: Research Associate II (Clinical NGS & RHT)

Reports to: Staff Scientist

FLSA Class: Exempt

Learn more about our company and how we support you:

Takara Bio USA (TBUSA) empowers life science discovery. We bring innovation and inspiration to every scientist - promoting discoveries that improve health and the environment. We hold values that all employees and prospective candidates should demonstrate: Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Respect, Growth, Diversity and Quality. We value helping employees develop their skills and you will be part of this journey!

At Takara Bio, we know that every experimental decision has an impact. Choices matter, from design to data analysis. We create best-in-class products that get the job done. In your hands, what do those research reagents and kits create? Something powerful: knowledge, understanding, and-often-hope! Together we can improve the human condition through biotechnology...and That's Good Science!

How this role drives the company forward:

The Research Associate II is responsible for assisting and working with research staff in the design, execution, and analysis of experiments aimed at developing new tools and reagents for life science. The Research Associate II works primarily in the laboratory to conduct relevant experiments and complex tasks under minimal supervision of other senior research associates or scientists.

The Research Associate II role is lab-based in San Jose, CA.

How you will make an impact:

In this role, you will be responsible for planning and executing day-to-day laboratory activities to support project timelines, ensuring that experimental approaches are aligned with defined objectives and constraints. You will perform nucleic acid extraction from a variety of sample types (e.g., cfDNA from plasma, cells, and FFPE samples) and execute NGS library preparation workflows and conduct quality control (QC) assessments to ensure robust and reproducible results. You will be part of a team developing cutting-edge NGS technologies to enable future research and clinical applications including oncology and reproductive health testing (RHT).

You will apply both low- and high-throughput methodologies to efficiently generate high-quality data across multiple projects, integrating results from diverse experimental platforms to identify trends, assess variability, and support troubleshooting efforts when unexpected results arise. The role involves regular communication of experimental progress and findings to cross-functional partners and stakeholders, as well as close collaboration with teams in manufacturing, quality, engineering, and with external partners to translate experimental needs into well-defined laboratory activities. In addition, you will maintain compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements through proper laboratory practices, manage samples, reagents, and data to ensure traceability, adapt to changing priorities while supporting multiple projects, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance laboratory efficiency, data quality, and workflow robustness.

What will you do:

• Works primarily in the laboratory to conduct experiments under supervision of other senior research associates or scientists.
• Execute routine experiments by selecting and performing appropriate techniques following general guidance or protocol. Performs more complex tasks with appropriate guidance from supervisor.
• Conduct experiments through product development launch cycle from feasibility test through transfer to manufacturing.
• Utilizes literature reviews, protocols, SOPs and prior laboratory experience to assist with experimental design, assay development, and workflow optimization.
• Accurately records procedures, materials used and results obtained, enabling others to understand and reproduce results.
• Prepares technical reports, summarizing experiments done including an analysis of results obtained, and contributes to development of follow-on experiments.
• Assists in the preparation and reviewing of technical documents including work instructions and user manuals.
• Shares responsibility for general laboratory maintenance and housekeeping, including organization and purchasing of laboratory reagents and maintaining laboratory stocks.
• May provide technical training to other laboratory personnel.
• This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

How will you get here?

• BA, BS or MS degree in relevant scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 2 - 5 years related experience
• Demonstrated ability to perform a range of general laboratory procedures independently.
• Accurate note-taking ability.
• Adaptable to shifting demands and timelines.
• Strong hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, qPCR, library prep, nucleic acid handling) is required.
• Hands-on experience with NGS workflows, including library preparation and familiarity with sequencing platforms (e.g., Illumina), is preferred.
• Collaborative mindsets to enable cross-functional success of product development.

AAP/EEO Statement:

Takara Bio USA, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

Additional Information about the role:

Please note this may not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The US base salary range for this full-time position, expected to be located in San Jose, CA, is $100,000 - $110,000 USD. We may consider other candidates for this position with more experience and would expect the salary range to change accordingly. This range may be modified at any time at our sole discretion. This base salary does not include additional bonus compensation and benefits. Learn more about benefits at . Individual compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, training, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions.

Job Tags

Full time, Shift work

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