Research Associate

ABOUT PILGRIM: Pilgrim is building America’s biology prime - engineering, manufacturing, and deploying advanced biotechnology for defense and national security. Our primary platform, ARGUS, is a fully autonomous system for detecting biological threats in near real time, from naturally occurring pathogens to engineered agents. We engineer hardware for biology, turning breakthrough science into fielded capabilities. Based in Redwood City, our team brings together mechanical and electrical engineering, chemistry, and biology under one roof to deliver critical technologies to the people who need them. Pilgrim has raised over $30 million to date and is backed by Peter Thiel, Brian Armstrong, Fred Ehrsam, Dylan Field, and Bryan Johnson, alongside Buckley Ventures, Conviction, Cantos, and others. ABOUT THE ROLE: As a Research Associate at Pilgrim, you’ll run experiments that support ARGUS’s development, from bioaerosol collection through sample preparation, qPCR, and sequencing. You’ll own reagent preparation, sample storage, and consumable inventory. Working with scientists, you’ll troubleshoot unexpected findings and produce reliable data that guides improvements to the system. RESPONSIBILITIES: - Execute experiments to evaluate sample preparation methods, assay performance, and sequencing workflows. - Collect bioaerosol samples and process environmental samples through concentration, nucleic acid extraction, and quality checks. - Prepare and run qPCR assays with appropriate controls to evaluate sample recovery, inhibition, and assay performance. - Perform genomics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows, including library preparation, sequencing-run setup and execution, and quality control. - Compile results, identify failed controls or inconsistent measurements, and help troubleshoot experiments. - Own reagent preparation and consumable inventory, including storage, expiration tracking, and replenishment with Supply Chain. - Document experiments, results, and deviations; update protocols as improvements are tested and confirmed. QUALIFICATIONS: - Bachelor’s or master’s degree in molecular biology, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, bioengineering, or a related field, or equivalent laboratory experience. - Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR or qPCR, and sample quantification. - Ability to independently execute multistep laboratory protocols and document methods, results, and deviations. - Experience interpreting assay controls and sample quality measurements to identify failed or unreliable results. PREFERRED: - Experience with molecular assay development or validation, sequencing library preparation, nanopore sequencing, or complex environmental samples, including bioaerosols. Pilgrim is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Certain positions require access to export-controlled information and are limited to U.S. Persons as defined by applicable export control regulations.