Feeny
Conception

(Senior) Research Associate, Stem Cell Biology at Conception (Berkeley, CA)

Conception· Berkeley, CA·

Role details

Employment
Full-Time
Skills
Human pluripotent stem cell cultureReproductive biologyAseptic techniqueESC/iPSC derivationESC/iPSC line establishmentStem cell QC3D cultureOrganoid cultureCo-culture systemsMicrodissectionMicromanipulationLong-duration tissue and cell culture workflows
Benefits

Competitive Pay · Company Equity · Excellent Healthcare Benefits · Collaborative Research Environment

Summary

Conception seeks a hands-on scientist to support its pluripotent stem cell program by deriving, expanding, and characterizing iPSC and ESC lines. The role involves executing technically demanding workflows, maintaining high-quality cultures, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance reproductive biolo...

Job description

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE / SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, STEM CELL BIOLOGY

ABOUT CONCEPTION:

Conception is pioneering the future of reproductive biology by generating functional human eggs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Our mission is to unlock new possibilities for fertility, reproductive health, and genetic diversity. We are building a world-class team to make this vision a reality.

The role:

We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented junior scientist to support routine pluripotent stem cell culture and foundational preclinical work. This is an excellent opportunity for a junior scientist who follows protocols carefully, learns quickly from senior teammates, and enjoys adding value in the lab. Prior experience with cell culture is critical, with strong sterile technique skills. Direct experience with iPSC/ESC culture is a strong plus but not required. The shifted Tuesday to Saturday schedule availability is critical to our workflows - we offer a salary adjustment for this.

What you’ll do:

  • Culture and maintain our iPSC/ESCs: Uphold rigorous standards for culture quality and standard practice, including practicing sterile technique and following protocols with a close attention to detail.
  • Support cell banks and iPSC line quality control: Be a central player in making sure our iPSC line quality control is performed accurately and with care for both core and R&D lines, including mycoplasma and sterility testing and preparing samples for whole genome sequencing.
  • Perform directed differentiations: Perform routine differentiations with care, including cell culture passaging and quality/outcome tracking. Maintain rigorous documentation of culture events within existing frameworks.
  • Help improve quality control and standard operating procedures: Be a central part of creating new quality control standards and stabilizing operating procedures, including helping to write protocols and ensure implementation in the lab.
  • Prepare critical reagents: Help organize and perform preparation of media, small molecules, and other cell culture reagents.

Experience:

  • Bachelors degree in biology or a related field
  • 12+ months of experience with sterile cell culture in an academic or industry setting
  • Demonstrated ability to follow protocols meticulously, maintain clean cultures, and record data with high integrity
  • Prior hands-on flow cytometry experience
  • Positive attitude, team mindset, and excitement to be at the bench

Why join us:

  • Impact: Help build a high-reliability iPSC core that underpins our preclinical pipeline, with the potential to transform human reproduction
  • Growth: Gain experience with cutting edge stem cell culture methods and QC approaches
  • Community: Work alongside passionate scientists tackling one of the most exciting frontiers in biology with a deeply aligned team
  • Mission: Build the biological foundation for a new era of reproductive medicine, expanding what is possible for millions of people and families with limited options today

Why work at Conception

  • Mission-Driven: Employees work on "one of the most ambitious problems in biology" — creating functional egg cells from stem cells, with the potential to reshape human reproduction and help millions of people.
  • World-Class Team: Join a team of scientists and engineers from top institutions (UC Berkeley, Illumina, UPSIDE Foods, etc.) solving hard problems in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and computation.
  • Growth Trajectory: Rapidly growing startup (42 employees, +17% YoY) with significant funding and a clear, ambitious roadmap.
  • Work Environment: On-site in Berkeley, California (Berkeley, CA 94710). The culture emphasizes "work that outlasts a career" — tackling a long-term, fundamental challenge.
  • Notable Perks: Not explicitly listed, but the company offers roles across scientist, senior scientist, associate scientist, and operations levels, indicating a collaborative, hands-on lab environment.

Application questions