Overview
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is seeking a hands-on and highly motivated Contractor – Discovery Cellular Assays to support our Discovery pipeline. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in mammalian cell culture, cell-line engineering, cellular assay development, and molecular biology.
In this role, you will help advance our hit-to-lead activities by developing and implementing robust cellular assays, generating and characterizing novel cellular models, introducing new assay technologies, and continuously improving experimental workflows. You will work closely with scientists across functions and may also collaborate with external partners and CROs.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, optimize, and execute cell-based assays to support compound profiling and mechanism-of-action studies
- Perform a broad range of molecular and cellular biology techniques, including:
- Mammalian cell culture and cell-line maintenance
- CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, including knock-in/knock-out approaches
- Generation, isolation, and characterization of engineered cell lines
- DNA/RNA isolation and analysis
- Protein extraction, quantification, and Western blotting
- Functional cellular readouts such as proliferation, viability, reporter assays, and cytokine measurements
- Implement and execute assays using a range of detection technologies, including fluorescence, luminescence, TR-FRET, AlphaScreen, or related platforms
- Develop and optimize assay protocols, including appropriate controls, assay conditions, and performance parameters, and troubleshoot experimental challenges independently
- Support the transition of assays from development into reproducible and scalable workflows suitable for compound profiling and screening
- Utilize automated liquid-handling systems and laboratory robotics where appropriate
- Analyze and interpret experimental data, including dose-response and other quantitative assay data, and communicate results and conclusions clearly to project teams
- Maintain accurate experimental records, protocols, and data in accordance with company procedures and good laboratory practices
- Prepare cell banks, reagents, and stock solutions and ensure the availability and quality of key experimental materials
- Collaborate effectively with internal cross-functional teams and external partners/CROs to execute experimental plans and resolve technical issues
- Contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory processes, assay platforms, and experimental workflows
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and applicable company guidelines
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related Life Sciences discipline
- 2–3+ years of relevant industry or research experience in cellular and molecular biology
- Strong hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and cell-line generation/engineering is essential
- Practical experience with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and characterization of engineered cell lines is highly desirable
- Experience with cell-based assay development and execution, ideally in a drug discovery or compound-profiling environment
- Experience with protein extraction and Western blotting
- Familiarity with assay technologies such as fluorescence, luminescence, TR-FRET, AlphaScreen, or related homogeneous assay platforms
- Experience with high-throughput screening, automation, or liquid-handling platforms is a plus
