--- title: 'R&D Research Associate at Universal DX' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/r-d-research-associate-universal-dx-dallas-8bzcd2yxqdsz' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-14' --- # R&D Research Associate at Universal DX - **Company:** Universal DX - **Location:** Dallas, TX - **Posted:** 2026-09-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14 - **Apply:** https://www.universaldx.com/careers?gh_jid=4986317101#grnhse_app ## Job description About our Company: Universal DX, Inc. is an international Company with a highly experienced team focused on cracking cancer’s code. Through our multi-omics and bioinformatics models, we have figured out how to read the disease’s signals in blood with high accuracy to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Starting with a colorectal cancer screening liquid biopsy test, we are building a multi-cancer platform that can identify the unique DNA regions associated with different types of cancers. The Opportunity: Universal DX is seeking an R&D Research Associate to support the continued development and refinement of Signal-C, our next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay for colorectal cancer screening. You will execute customized study protocols with training and guidance from scientists, help investigate unexpected results, and contribute to improvements in assay chemistry and performance. This hands-on, onsite role in Dallas Fort Worth calls for a foundation in molecular biology and the ability to learn new methods and carry out study-specific protocols. You will work across plasma cfDNA extraction, library preparation, target capture, and sequencing using manual and automated methods. You will be part of a team that is passionate about developing novel diagnostic tests for the early detection of cancers. As part of the team, you will be in a Company that aims more than to become one of the leaders in the industry. We want to have a huge positive impact on society by achieving the ambitious purpose of “making cancer a curable disease by detecting it earlier”. How you’ll contribute: - Help scientists prepare bench protocols and run plans. Execute bespoke studies with guidance as needed, documenting experimental variables, controls, and protocol revisions. - Process plasma and extract cell-free DNA (cfDNA); perform library preparation, methylation conversion, PCR, bead cleanup, target capture, and sequencing. Support whole-blood processing when required by a study. - Set up and run Hamilton or similar liquid handlers after training; verify deck layouts, worklists, labware, and study-specific parameters, and raise method or run issues with Automation. - Prepare reagent mixes, dilutions, controls, plate maps, and library pools; check calculations, sample availability, identities, index assignments, and sequencing sample sheets. - Assess DNA and library yield, purity, and size using TapeStation and other quantification methods. Review QC results and flag variability for follow-up with scientists. - Support optimization, robustness, stability, and verification studies evaluating extraction conditions, library chemistry and adapters, capture panels, and processing parameters. - Assist in investigating unexpected results by checking controls, sample quality, reagents, reaction conditions, and automation performance; document observations and carry out follow-up experiments with scientists. - Maintain complete experiment and LIMS records covering protocol changes, results, deviations and corrective actions, reagent lots, instrument settings, sample IDs, remaining volumes, and storage/freeze-thaw history. - Summarize results for review; support protocols, SOPs, reports, and training materials. Coordinate with scientists, Molecular Technologists, Automation, Bioinformatics, Quality, and sample-management colleagues. - Perform and document routine equipment checks and maintenance. Follow safety and contamination-control procedures for human specimens, chemicals, and hazardous waste. What you’ll bring: Required Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, biomedical or biomechanical engineering, or a related field. - Hands-on molecular biology experience through academic research, internships, or industry laboratory work, including DNA extraction, quantification and purification, PCR, reagent preparation, and accurate dilution calculations. - Familiarity with automated liquid handlers or comparable laboratory automation, and ability to learn Hamilton run setup, monitoring, and basic troubleshooting. - Ability to follow multistep protocols and learn study-specific variations with guidance, with a basic understanding of molecular biology principles, experimental controls, and sources of variability. - Ability to recognize unexpected results, review quantitative data, and assist with troubleshooting, seeking guidance from scientists or Automation when needed. - Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word or equivalent tools for reagent calculations, basic data summaries, plots, and clear laboratory documentation. - Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to organize assigned experiments, protect limited sample material, and communicate findings and issues clearly. - Ability to work onsite in Dallas Fort Worth, maintain traceable experimental records, and follow laboratory quality, human-specimen safety, and contamination-control procedures. ## Preferred Qualifications - Master’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, biomedical or biomechanical engineering, or a related field. - Hands-on NGS experience, including library preparation, hybridization-based target capture, library pooling, and sequencing on Illumina platforms. - Familiarity with cfDNA methylation sequencing, including enzymatic methylation conversion, and experience handling low-input cfDNA or liquid biopsy samples. - Experience running Hamilton liquid-handling methods, performing routine instrument checks, and troubleshooting automated runs. - Experience with TapeStation or comparable fragment-analysis instruments and fluorometric or qPCR-based DNA/library quantification. - Experience in assay development or optimization, including evaluating new reagents or protocols and supporting robustness, stability, or verification studies. - Familiarity with LIMS, electronic notebooks, and IVD development or CLIA/CAP laboratory documentation, including SOPs, deviations, corrective actions, and sample traceability. What we'll offer: We’re proud to offer exceptional corporate benefits which include: - 22 days of PTO with the possibility to carry over 10 days to the following year. - Company Holidays, plus your Birthday off! - Company-sponsored benefit plans, including medical, dental, and vision insurance plus life, STD, and LTD coverage, and 401(k). - Flexible work schedule - And more to come! Why Now? This is an exciting time to be at Universal DX. We are growing rapidly and starting our US operations by building up our team, starting our lab and business operations, and establishing strategic partnerships. We are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey in this expansive time for us. ## About Universal DX ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Universal DX develops minimally-invasive, blood-based liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection, starting with colorectal cancer screening. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series unknown; last known venture round in 2018, recent grant and EIB financing) - **Headquarters**: Sevilla, Spain (with offices in Madrid, Spain; Dallas, Texas, USA; and Ljubljana, Slovenia) - **Founded**: 2012 - **Founders**: Juan Martinez-Barea (Founder and Executive President) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Diagnostics (liquid biopsy, early cancer detection) - **Target customers**: Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinical laboratories, and patients (B2B and B2C via screening programs) - **Mission**: “A future where cancer is curable” – by detecting cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is more effective and survival rates are high. ## Products & Services - **Signal‑C**: A blood‑based colorectal cancer screening test that detects cancer and advanced adenomas with 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity. It uses proprietary methylation markers and a machine‑learning algorithm to analyze a simple blood sample. The test is designed to be processed in standard reference laboratories and is intended for FDA approval and subsequent distribution through Quest Diagnostics. - **Cancer Platform (in development)**: A multi‑cancer platform that aims to detect multiple cancer types (prostate, liver, pancreatic, lung, breast, etc.) through a single blood draw, leveraging the same multi‑omics, computational biology approach. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total funding of **$186.1 million** (as of early 2026, including a €20 million EIB loan in Feb 2025 and a $30 million grant in Jan 2026). Annual revenue is reported at **$4.3 million** (LinkedIn estimate). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Quest Diagnostics (strategic collaboration for US commercialization), European Investment Bank (EIB), Innvierte (CDTI investment program). Clinical partners network of >100 hospitals across the US and Europe. - **Growth Signals**: - Over 14,000 samples collected from clinical studies. - Active clinical collaborations with more than 100 gastrointestinal teams. - Recent patent filings for pancreatic cancer detection methods. - Headcount of 105 employees (as of mid‑2026), with a monthly growth rate of +0.8%. - Presence in 6 countries (US, Spain, Slovenia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Italy). - 22,423 LinkedIn followers with +1.8% monthly growth. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proprietary multi‑omics platform**: Combines epigenomics, methylomics, and machine learning to “read” cancer’s signal in blood, enabling a single‑test, multi‑cancer approach. - **High accuracy for colorectal cancer**: Signal‑C shows 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity, competitive with leading stool‑based tests but with a simpler blood draw. - **Strategic partnership with Quest Diagnostics**: Once FDA‑approved, Signal‑C will be distributed through Quest’s national network, dramatically accelerating adoption and reimbursement. - **Strong clinical validation network**: Over 100 partner hospitals in the US and Europe, providing real‑world data and regulatory credibility. ## Strategic Focus - **FDA approval and commercialization**: The immediate priority is obtaining FDA approval for Signal‑C and launching it through the Quest Diagnostics partnership to capture a share of the US colorectal cancer screening market. - **Expanding the multi‑cancer platform**: Developing blood tests for other high‑burden cancers (pancreatic, liver, lung, breast) to eventually offer a single‑draw screening for >50% of new cancer cases. - **Strengthening the evidence base**: Continuing to present at major conferences (AACR, ASCO) and publish peer‑reviewed studies to support regulatory submissions and clinical uptake. ## Why Work Here - **Mission‑driven culture**: The company’s explicit goal is “making cancer a curable disease by detecting it earlier” – a compelling purpose that attracts talent passionate about healthcare impact. - **Flexible work environment**: Offers a flexible work schedule, remote work opportunities, and a “free day on your birthday.” Employees can also buy extra vacation days. - **Competitive perks**: Fair salaries, optional health insurance, parking incentives, free café amenities at office locations, and a healthy work environment. - **International team**: Offices in Spain (Sevilla, Madrid), the US (Dallas, TX), and Slovenia (Ljubljana). Workforce is split roughly 39% US, 39% Spain, with smaller teams in other countries. - **Open positions** (as of June 2026): 6 active roles including Lab Ops Technical Lead, IVD Scientist, Director of IT, RA Technical Writer, Senior Biostatistician, and Software Development Engineer in Test. (Note: the company’s own careers page may show different availability; LinkedIn lists 6 open positions.) - **Engineering & R&D focus**: 25% of employees are in Research, 17% in Technical roles, with a strong emphasis on data science, biostatistics, and software engineering. - **Talent sources**: Employees often come from leading oncology diagnostics firms (Exact Sciences, Guardant Health, Freenome, Resolution Bioscience), indicating a high‑caliber peer group. ## Sources 1. [universaldx.com](https://www.universaldx.com/) 2. [universaldx.com/about-us](https://www.universaldx.com/about-us) 3. [universaldx.com/careers](https://www.universaldx.com/careers) 4. [universaldx.com/contact](https://www.universaldx.com/contact) 5. [linkedin.com/company/universal-diagnostics-sa](https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-diagnostics-sa/) ## Other roles at Universal DX - [Senior Director and Head of Quality](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-and-head-of-quality-universal-dx-united-states-eebngp7350s1) — United States - [Principal Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-program-manager-universal-dx-united-states-5nf57mc29894) — United States - [Program / Project Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/program-project-assistant-universal-dx-dallas-pe78wzm24znz) — Dallas, TX - [Research Scientist II](https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-ii-universal-dx-dallas-ddbp1wqrthqa) — Dallas, TX - [Senior Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-universal-dx-united-states-9kwm9yxt8ar5) — United States