Senior Research Associate - Pre-Analytical

About Freenome 

Freenome is a high-growth biotech company on a mission since 2014 to create tools that empower everyone to prevent, detect, and treat their disease.  To achieve this mission, Freenome is developing next-generation blood tests to detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages using our multiomics platform and machine learning techniques. Our first blood test will detect early-stage colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas.

About the Role

As a Senior Research Associate, you will be responsible for characterizing the impact of a multitude of preanalytical variables on the performance of Freenome’s multiomic tests. You will also make significant contributions in designing and executing Development studies focused on finalizing the test kit configuration for Freenome’s multiomics tests.  In addition to executing at the bench as a subject matter expert in preanalytics, you will be required to leverage preanalytical datasets to generate biological insights that directly inform Freenome’s biomarker discovery studies and product development efforts. Finally, you will collaborate with the Clinical Development, Lab Operations, and Computational Research teams to ensure that preanalytical considerations are represented in every aspect of Freenome’s research platform and product development process.

Your contribution:

• Execute development studies towards products that serve patients.
• Design and execute studies to evaluate the impact of preanalytical variables (including blood collection, shipping, and storage conditions) on sample integrity and analyte stability.
• Optimize sample collection, transportation, and processing workflows, including selecting blood collection devices, identifying shipping conditions, and finalizing test kit configuration.
• Contribute to biomarker discovery efforts by generating large-scale datasets on clinical sample quality for downstream analytical characterization. 
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate new sample collection, fractionation, and characterization technologies into preanalytical workflows.
• Work cross-functionally with Clinical Trial Managers, Clinical Lab Scientists, and Process Engineers to implement best sample handling practices in Freenome’s clinical studies.
• Collaborate with Computational Biologists and Machine Learning Scientists to incorporate preanalytical datasets into data analysis pipelines.

Your background, perspective and experience: 

• Bachelor's with 5+ years of industry experience, Master's with 3+ years of industry experience, or a PhD in biochemistry, protein chemistry, molecular biology, or a related field.

• Experience working cross functionally in phase-gated Product Development projects. Prior experience with developing blood-based diagnostic products is a plus.

• Extensive experience working with blood collection devices, especially those designed for robust stabilization of cell free DNA & proteins.

• Hands-on experience with analytical assays used to characterize blood fractions at both the cellular and molecular levels, such as flow cytometry and ELISA.

• Familiarity with the stability profiles of a diverse set of analytes, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and other metabolites. 

• Prior experience in designing and executing studies aimed at understanding analyte stability in blood and/or plasma..

• Ability to perform basic data analysis, enabling experimental iteration independent of external support.

• Clear communications skills and ability to work with team members in the same and adjacent disciplines.

• Ability to design assays for automated platforms and experience working with liquid handlers.

COVID safety:

As a condition of employment, you agree to know and comply with our COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring all employees who work on-site and/or attend work-related events to be fully vaccinated and to receive a COVID-19 booster once eligible. Company employees working on-site are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and to receive a COVID-19 booster once eligible, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law. Absent a reasonable accommodation or legal exception, you agree to provide proof of your vaccination status and to be fully vaccinated by your first day on-site, in accordance with our policy.  If you are currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster, you also agree to provide proof of having received a booster.  If you are not yet eligible for a COVID-19 booster, you must provide proof of receiving a booster within two weeks of becoming eligible.

Freenome is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. Freenome does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Funding

We have raised more than $1.1B from leading investors including Perceptive Advisors, RA Capital Management, Roche Venture Fund, Kaiser Permanente, Novartis and the American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge Ventures. 

Freenomers

A ‘Freenomer’ is a mission-driven employee who is fueled by the opportunity to make a positive impact on patients' lives, who thrives in a culture of respect and cross collaboration, and whose work makes a significant impact on the company and their career. 

Freenomers are technical, creative, visionary, grounded, empathetic and passionate. We build teams around divergent expertise, allowing us to solve problems and ascertain opportunities in unique ways. Freenomers are some of the most talented experts in their fields, joining together to advance healthcare, one breakthrough at a time. 

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Competitive compensation 
• Pre-IPO equity
• Flexible PTO (exempt) and generous PTO (non-exempt) 
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision 
• Wellness and mental health resources, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), Paid maternity and paternity leave
• 401(k) plan 
• $250.00 new hire stipend to enhance your home office experience
• Plus, a variety of other perks, including pre-tax commuter benefits, two paid volunteer days per year, pet insurance, and additional discounts 

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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.  

• Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

• Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

Notice to agencies:

Our in-house Talent Acquisition Team manages all employment opportunities at Freenome.  Agencies and independent recruiters must be approved as a vendor by Freenome’s Talent Acquisition team before submitting candidates to any Freenome employee. 

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or biographies from agencies under any circumstances. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Freenome, including those sent to a Freenome email address or directly to Freenome employees, will be considered Freenome property. Freenome will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Freenome will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. 

Please do not contact Freenome employees directly. Compliance with this request will impact our decision to work with you. 

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