Research Associate, Biobanking

Job description

THE MISSION Drug discovery has a translation problem: more than 95% of drugs that succeed in animal models fail in humans. We're building the alternative: human-first drug discovery, powered by organoids and AI, running on real human biology from the very first experiment. Our platform is 87% concordant with clinical patient data - a vast improvement over the 3% translational success rate of animals. We’ve demonstrated the ability to model immunotoxicology, immunogen stimulation, and two autoimmune diseases with more on the way. Numerous pharma partners including 3 Fortune 500 companies are already using the platform. We've raised ~$30M from AIX Ventures, Marc Benioff, Jeff Dean, and Y Combinator. With the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 and the FDA's March 2026 validation framework, the regulatory tailwinds only continue to get stronger. The opportunity ahead of the company is generational: build the first scaled engine for generating real human biological data, and use it to fundamentally change how medicines are discovered. The Role We are looking for a meticulous and process-driven Biobanking Specialist to join our San Francisco team. In this role, you will be responsible for receiving, processing, and preserving irreplaceable human tissue samples that power our scientific programs. Every downstream experiment, every patient stratification insight, and every therapeutic program depends on the integrity and traceability of what you maintain. This is a 100% onsite role based at our San Francisco lab. You will be a foundational member of the biobanking function, ensuring that every donor sample is processed consistently, stored correctly, and captured with impeccable metadata. Donor samples are biologically unique and cannot be re-collected. A mislabeled specimen, a broken cold chain, or a documentation gap can permanently destroy material and compromise the scientific conclusions built on it. This role exists to ensure that never happens. Key Responsibilities Biobanking & Human Sample Processing - Maintain rigorous, real-time chain-of-custody records for all samples, derivatives, and associated donor metadata in LIMS/ELN systems, ensuring the link between specimen and donor is never broken. - Receive, log, and process human biological samples (e.g., whole blood, buffy coats, lymphoid tissues) following established biosafety and ethical guidelines. - Isolate primary immune cells and other relevant cell types using density gradient centrifugation, magnetic separation, and related methods. - Perform routine tissue and cell culture, including plating, media changes, and monitoring of culture quality. - Execute and optimize cryopreservation and thawing protocols to maintain cell viability and function. Biobank Operations & Infrastructure - Maintain an organized, fit-for-purpose biobanking workspace, including freezers, liquid nitrogen storage, and tissue culture facilities. - Monitor and manage inventory of samples, reagents, and consumables; coordinate ordering and restocking as needed. - Contribute to the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of SOPs for sample receipt, processing, storage, and retrieval. - Support equipment maintenance and calibration (e.g., biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, freezers) and proactively flag issues. Quality Control & Project Support - Ensure all incoming human tissue is accompanied by complete donor consent documentation; maintain awareness of applicable IRB protocols, HIPAA requirements, and material transfer agreements governing sample use and storage. - Perform basic QC on incoming and banked samples (e.g., cell counts, viability assays, simple flow cytometry panels where applicable). - Coordinate timing and logistics of clinical sample shipments, ensuring cold-chain integrity and proper documentation (e.g., consent forms, MTAs). - Work closely with discovery and platform teams to provide appropriately prepared samples for organoid culture and downstream assays. - Help troubleshoot sample- or workflow-related issues and propose practical improvements to enhance throughput and consistency. Qualifications - BS or MS in Biology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline. - At least 1 year of hands-on experience with human primary cell or tissue processing in an academic or industry lab. - Strong aseptic technique and routine experience with mammalian cell/tissue culture. - Familiarity with basic immunological or cell-based assays (e.g., viability staining, flow cytometry, ELISA) is preferred. - Experience using LIMS and/or ELN systems for structured sample and data tracking. - Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing a large and evolving biological inventory. - Ability to work independently at the bench while communicating clearly with colleagues and clinical partners. - Ability to pass respirator fit testing and comply with PPE requirements (per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134), including maintaining facial hair compliant with a proper respirator seal. - Willingness to work onsite daily in San Francisco, with occasional weekend or off-hours work to process time-sensitive clinical samples. Why Parallel Bio Every organoid culture, every mechanistic readout, and every population-scale insight our platform generates begins with the quality and traceability of banked human tissue. As a Biobanking Specialist, you are not supporting the science from the sideline. You are building and protecting the foundation it depends on. Parallel Bio is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.