---
title: 'Assay Development - Research Associate 2 / Sr. Research Associate at Personalis, Inc'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/assay-development-research-associate-2-sr-research-associate-personalis-inc-5qb5rhhktdj1'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Assay Development - Research Associate 2 / Sr. Research Associate at Personalis, Inc

- **Company:** Personalis, Inc
- **Location:** Fremont, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-08-22
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/personalisinc/jobs/7934531003

## Job description

At Personalis, we are transforming the active management of cancer through breakthrough personalized testing. We aim to drive a new paradigm for cancer management, guiding care from biopsy through the life of the patient. Our highly sensitive assays combine tumor-and-normal profiling with proprietary algorithms to deliver advanced insights even as cancer evolves over time. Our products are designed to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) and recurrence at the earliest timepoints, enable selection of targeted therapies based on ultra-comprehensive genomic profiling, and enhance biomarker strategy for drug development. Personalis is based in Fremont, California.

Summary:

In this role, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary R&D team of scientists, assay developers, and clinicians to plan, execute, and analyze cutting-edge oncology solutions. You will provide hands-on NGS equipment operation and library preparation using real-world samples to develop novel precision medicine products used by pharma, biotech, and clinical partners.

## Responsibilities

- Assay & Workflow Execution: Support R&D scientists in developing, optimizing, and validating novel oncology assays and workflows.
- Sample Prep & Library Generation: Extract DNA/RNA from biological samples (blood, tissue) and construct high-quality libraries for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).
- Validation & Collaboration Studies: Process sample cohorts for critical assay validation studies and external industry/academic collaborations under tight timelines.
- Protocol Refinement: Evaluate new protocols as a front-line user and provide constructive feedback to optimize standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Documentation & Reporting: Maintain meticulous sample tracking and experimental records in lab notebooks; present findings in team meetings.
- Compliance: Maintain compliance with safety guidelines, quality standards, and company policies.

## Qualifications

- Education: BS/MS in Molecular Biology, Genomics, Biochemistry, or a related biological science.
- Experience: 3+ years of hands-on molecular biology laboratory experience (biotech/pharma preferred).
- Technical Expertise: Proficiency in DNA/RNA extraction, quality control (e.g., Qubit, TapeStation), and NGS library preparation.
- Assay Specialization: Experience with liquid biopsy (cfDNA/cfRNA) or FFPE sample processing is strongly preferred.
- Skills & Drive: Strong organizational and communication skills with a drive to learn in a fast-paced, hands-on environment

The hiring range for this position is $85,000 to $115,000 per year, which may factor in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. Our full-time regular positions also include an annual performance-based bonus (or a sales incentive plan) and long-term incentive units (equity) provided as part of our compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Personalis is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. As part of this commitment, Personalis will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you need an accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please let your recruiter know, if/when they contacts you.

Protecting Our Candidates: At Personalis, we value your security. Please note that all official correspondence from our team will come exclusively from @[personalis.com](http://personalis.com) email addresses. We will never ask for personal financial information or conduct interviews over text or chat platforms. If you receive a suspicious request, it is likely a scam. We are committed to a safe recruitment experience and actively work with authorities to investigate and prosecute cyber crimes targeting our community.

Personalis is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabilities. Personalis offers a competitive compensation package and benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, ESPP, tuition reimbursement, sick/vacation time, commuter benefits/ EV charging stations, onsite gym, and wellness benefits. (For US only, benefits in other countries may vary.)

#LI-KK1 #LI-Hybrid

## About Personalis, Inc

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Personalis is a precision oncology company that transforms the active management of cancer through advanced, personalized genomic testing and ultra-sensitive circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection.
- **Entity Type**: Public (NASDAQ: PSNL)
- **Headquarters**: Fremont, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2011
- **Founders**: Not publicly listed as a single founder; the company was founded by a team of genomics experts from Stanford University and the broader life sciences community.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Precision Oncology, Biotechnology, Genomic Testing, Molecular Diagnostics
- **Target customers**: B2B — primarily oncologists, hospitals, cancer centers, and biopharmaceutical companies (for drug development and clinical trials)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Revealing the unique genetic signatures of solid tumors" to enable earlier cancer detection, more effective treatment selection, and better patient outcomes.

## Products & Services
- **NeXT Personal Dx**: An ultra-sensitive, personalized blood test that detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to monitor for cancer recurrence. It can detect as little as 1 tumor DNA fragment in 1 million normal cells, often identifying recurrence months to years before standard imaging. Approved for Medicare reimbursement for breast cancer (Q4 2025) and non-small cell lung cancer (Q1 2026) surveillance.
- **NeXT Dx**: A comprehensive genomic profiling test for solid tumors, used to guide therapy selection. Approved for Medicare reimbursement (Q1 2024).
- **NeXT Personal (Pharma Services)**: A highly sensitive ctDNA assay used by biopharma partners for clinical trials, enabling early detection of molecular residual disease (MRD) and monitoring of treatment response.
- **Advanced Tumor Profiling**: Ultra-comprehensive genomic profiling services for biopharma partners to optimize patient selection and biomarker strategy in drug development.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: ~$872.9 million (as of mid-2026)
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue — $69.6 million (2025); 2026 guidance of $78–80 million total company revenue, with NeXT Personal strategic revenue estimated at $30–32 million.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Merck (post-IPO equity investment of $50M in Dec 2024), Tempus (post-IPO equity investment of $36.1M in Aug 2024), Lightspeed Venture Partners (led Series C), Myriad Genetics (non-exclusive IP access agreement, 2024).
- **Growth Signals**: 26% revenue growth rate at the midpoint of 2026 guidance; over 25,000 tests delivered to date; Medicare reimbursement approvals for NeXT Personal Dx in breast and lung cancer; strong cash position of ~$233 million with no debt; 16% year-over-year headcount growth.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Ultra-Sensitive Technology**: NeXT Personal Dx can detect 1 tumor DNA fragment in 1 million normal cells, offering a "1-in-a-million" sensitivity that often detects recurrence 5–15 months earlier than standard imaging.
- **Personalized Approach**: The test identifies up to 1,800 unique DNA markers from each patient's tumor, creating a truly personalized liquid biopsy.
- **Strong IP Moat**: Over 70 patents worldwide and 38 U.S. patents, providing robust legal protection for their technology.
- **Proven Reimbursement Path**: Successfully navigated Medicare coverage for both NeXT Dx and NeXT Personal Dx, a critical barrier to entry in the U.S. diagnostics market.
- **Strategic Partnerships**: Deep collaborations with biopharma leaders (Merck, Tempus) and a strong network of academic and clinical partners.

## Strategic Focus
- **Accelerating Clinical Test Volume**: Driving adoption of NeXT Personal Dx through Medicare reimbursement and expanding clinical evidence across breast, lung, colorectal, and other cancers.
- **Expanding Evidence Base**: Conducting studies in breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, as well as immunotherapy monitoring, to broaden clinical utility and payer coverage.
- **Biopharma Partnerships**: Growing the pharma services business by enabling drug developers with ultra-sensitive MRD and therapy selection assays.
- **Operational Efficiency**: Scaling clinical test volume to improve gross margins and drive toward profitability, supported by a strong cash position.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Work**: Employees directly contribute to transforming cancer care by enabling earlier detection and more personalized treatment for patients.
- **Growth Trajectory**: The company is in a high-growth phase (26% revenue growth guidance for 2026), with expanding Medicare coverage and a strong pipeline of clinical studies.
- **Culture & Environment**: Rated 3.6/5.0 on employer review sites, with particular strengths in compensation (3.6) and culture (3.6). The company values scientific rigor and innovation.
- **Work Policy**: Based in Fremont, CA, with a second office in Menlo Park. The company operates in a hybrid/office environment typical of a biotech R&D and lab operations setting.
- **Notable Perks**: Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of genomics and precision oncology; strong IP and scientific culture; involvement in high-impact clinical studies and publications.
- **Engineering & Science Culture**: Heavy emphasis on bioinformatics, assay development, and clinical science. The workforce is heavily weighted toward medical, technical, and research roles.

## Sources
1. [Personalis.com](https://www.personalis.com/)
2. [Personalis Careers Page](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/personalisinc)
3. [Personalis Company Page](http://www.personalis.com/company/)
4. [LinkedIn - Personalis](https://www.linkedin.com/company/personalis-inc)
5. [Personalis Investor Presentation (May 2026)](https://investors.personalis.com/static-files/3c11319a-f39a-4a31-bcd3-1702b82adf4d)

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